Never too young to lead — Gauteng MEC graduates at Unisa

Gauteng’s MEC for Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development, Lebogang Maile, will today (31 October) be conferred with the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the graduation ceremony to be held in ZK Mathews hall in Pretoria.

Gauteng’s MEC for Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development and Unisa LLB graduate, Lebogang Maile

The University of South Africa (Unisa) takes this moment to congratulate MEC Maile on his achievement through his studies at the university’s College of Law.

MEC Maile is amongst a younger generation of liberation activists who cut their political teeth at a critical moment in South Africa’s history when the country was straddling the transition from apartheid into the new era of democratic rule.

Passion for education

According to his public profile, “he led a generation of activists who are credited with having shaped the discourse of basic education in SA, whilst the country was undergoing a transition. In 1995, Maile’s passion for education saw him being elected as COSAS President, a position that placed him at the heart of the transformation of education. His visionary leadership soon became evident with the introduction of the South African Schools Act”.

Youth activism

“From thereon, having served as head of social transformation in the ANC Youth League’s Provincial Executive Committee, he ascended to the position of Provincial Secretary, effectively representing the Youth League in the Provincial Executive and Working Committees of the ANC. He was subsequently elected as ANC Youth League Provincial Chairperson.

“At this time, the Youth League was vocal about the need to elevate the discourse about youth development. It is against this backdrop that the Gauteng Youth Commission was formed, with Maile as its Chairperson”.

Serving the community of Gauteng

“In 2009, Maile became a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, serving in the Education, Finance and Scrutiny and Subordinate Legislation committees. In 2010, he became MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation and was a strong advocate of development as well as access to sports and library. In June 2014, Maile became MEC for Economic Development and later his responsibilities were extended to include Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development.

“In 2019 he was deployed as MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA. In October 2022, the portfolio under his responsibility was reconfigured to Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development. He Chairs the Governance Cluster in the province. In September 2022, MEC Maile was elected as Vice President of the Forum of Regions of Africa at its inaugural sitting in the city of Saidia, which is part of Casablanca State in Morocco”.”

Author and thought leader

MEC Maile penned and published the book Never too young to lead, which he says is a clarion call for the youth of South Africa to rise. His message to the youth and anyone who is considering pursuing their studies further is that they are never too young to lead, and they are never too old to learn.

MEC Maile also holds Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management from the University of the Witwatersrand.

* By Ngwako Mokgotho, Communications and Marketing Specialist, College of Law

** Source: Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development Media Office