THE transition that propelled Safoora Sadek from activist to a member of the PWV legislature was so quick that she is still getting used to her title of “honourable member”. The former national director of the Human Rights Commission is also battling to come to grips with the culture of politics in the provincial legislature.
“The worst part of the process was spending ‘angstful’ hours looking for an outfit that would be considered appropriate for my inauguration,” she jokes.
But getting to grips with a completely new political culture has posed more of a problem: “The rules are so rigid and they do not allow the same space for initiative that activist forums do. If you want to respond to something, you cannot raise your hand and make your point — you have to abide by the list of speakers.”
But the 30-year-old MPL says she finds her new job challenging and is excited about the things in which she is involved. Because of her experience at the HRC, she is primarily involved in the standing committee on public safety and security. She also serves on the standing committees on social welfare and the environment.
Sadek says she now has more time for herself, describing her work at the HRC as “a 24-hour job. I can see my friends. There is a lot of reading and there are times when I bring work home, but most days I am free after work.” Her modest Yeoville flat contains a computer, printer and a fax machine for when she works from home.
Her new career has also meant extra cash into her pocket. “I can afford to rent this flat on my own, and I can see more movies in a month.” So why hasn’t she bought a house in an affluent suburb? “I like my flat and, anyway, we do not get a housing subsidy — we are not on the gravy train,” she says.
But she’s replaced her old car with a new one: a Toyota Conquest. “I have not gone the BMW route,” she says with a laugh, “and I have not given into wearing make-up either.” – Sibusiso Nxumalo