‘Servant leader’: Sanac chief executive Thembisile Xulu affords all people respect, whether they are her ‘helper of 19 years or the deputy president’. (James Puttick)
Dr Thembisile Xulu, the newly appointed chief executive of the Sanac Trust, tells Nicolene de Wee about a new plan to fight HIV, TB and STIs — and her hip-hop dance moves
You describe yourself as ambitious and a fighter. In light of previous instability at the South African National Aids Council (Sanac) Trust, what is your strategy to make a success of this job?
I’ve been ambitious since a young age and finished medical school in record time. The “fighter” I refer to is me wanting to ensure that I am allowed to be my authentic self. What might be deemed as disruptions or instability at the trust is largely multiple stakeholders sitting in a room trying to get to an outcome that will yield the best results. So, as the chief executive of the trust, I have to ensure that all the stakeholders not only have a seat at the table, but also a voice at the table.
Your motto is: ‘To be respected, you need to show respect first.’ Has it paid off for you in your career and private life?
I was a human being before I was a chief executive. When someone treats me with respect, the only thing I do is to return that respect. What that does in terms of creating a personal connection is amazing. I can afford someone respect, whether it’s my helper of 19 years or the deputy president. It has worked for me in all spheres of my life. It all boils down to treating others the way you want to be treated.
How would you describe yourself to strangers? Who is Thembisile Xulu?
[Xulu laughs] I am a servant leader; I am a fixer and even my friends describe me as “Dr Fixer”. I’m tough, but tender. I have a personal “why statement” that keeps me going: I serve others in integrity as the authentic and purposeful Thembi so that they are empowered to become the best versions of themselves. So whether I’m serving in organisations, serving a patient or serving on the school governing board, I bring Thembi as she is and I will empower and inspire.
Do you think young women, including your two daughters, see you as their role model?
Yes, strangely I do. I divorced my husband after 15 years of marriage and always told myself I would never badmouth the father of my two daughters (aged 18 and 12). It was quite difficult, because all of a sudden I’m a single woman raising two children.
One day I changed a globe in my bedroom and the 18-year-old walked in and said: “My husband is going to change my globes.” It was so profound because this meant that no matter what I’ve gone through, I haven’t killed this child’s belief in the institution of marriage. My younger daughter plans to study medicine at Yale University. So I guess I did something right [laughs].
What is your view on gender-based violence in South Africa?
Gender-based violence does have an impact on HIV and it really is one of the most cancerous social ills in our country. I was quite happy to welcome the formation of the [National] Council on Gender-based Violence [and Femicide] under the leadership of the presidency. I think there is a need for a mind shift in women and they need to be empowered to deal with the fear and unwillingness to let go of abusive situations.
I remember as a child in KwaMashu, Kwazulu-Natal that if a man doesn’t hit a woman, it means he doesn’t love her. As I grew up, I know that within the world of couples and togetherness, longevity was considered as a marker of success, without considering the quality of the relationship.
Women need to be empowered to say that when love and respect are no longer served, you need to find a way out. I know not everyone has a place to go, but should we stay till we die … No, I don’t think so.
What irritates you the most about South Africa?
As a clinician who has been at the forefront of the response to Covid-19, there’s been a war between the health system and this pandemic. So it’s always been these two parties. But as if it’s not enough that we have to fight the virus, there’s this third hand called corruption that is taking all the attention away from the actual cause. Corruption is a third hand that we don’t need. We are trying to do better for South Africans in terms of poverty, health, housing, et cetera. We really can’t also deal with corruption.
What makes you laugh and what was the funniest thing you heard recently?
Sitting with my friends and reminiscing about the old days is really fun and makes me laugh. How we used to dress and dance is hilarious. But the funniest thing I heard recently that cracked me up was a rumour that I got this job because I’m related to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize [laughs]. I can promise you, I am not related to him. So it doesn’t matter how good you are, somebody will always make up a story. Yes, that was really the funniest thing I heard in a long time.
What do you do to relax? Do you listen to music?
My mother is a jazz lover and my stepdad loves R&B, so I can listen to both genres the whole day. I walk a lot and love hiking. Both my daughters are hip-hop dancers, so I can rap the lyrics to hip-hop music. I can move [laughs]: give me the dance floor and I can move. I always teach my friends the latest dance moves, so I’m cool like that!
What book is currently on your nightstand?
It happens that I read two to three books at a time. I love The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and another favourite is Angela Makholwa. But the one book that never leaves my bedside is the Bible, in all three editions: King James, New International Version and Good News.
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