Babalo Madikizela ready for new role as philanthropist

After failing to fill the shoes of the provincial ANC’s top official, there is only one thing left for Babalo Madikizela to do — provide school shoes for impoverished children to fill.

It is back to the world of business for the former ANC Eastern Cape treasurer, and he could not be happier.

After five years in government serving as public works MEC, Madikizela looks forward to returning to business and raising money for school shoes for the poor.

When he speaks of his run — and loss — for ANC Eastern Cape chair, there is no bitterness.

In fact, Madikizela gives a sigh of relief, perhaps because he will no longer be exposed as a terrible singer.

Flanked by his backers and chief campaigners who were enjoying what seemed to be happy hour at a private lounge at the Mantis No5 Boutique Hotel in Summerstrand recently, Madikizela, 43, told of how the “million shoes” campaign was now going to be his main focus.

He said the contest leading up to the ANC Eastern Cape elective conference in May had taken him out of his comfort zone, forcing him to sing revolutionary songs, or “Amagwijo”, and exposing his lack of talent as a vocalist.

“I know my singing was bad but I didn’t care about that,” Madikizela said.

He said he was happy to be leaving politics after his loss to ANC chair and premier Oscar Mabuyane.

Madikizela, who hails from Mbhongweni, near Bizana, got 652 votes compared with Mabuyane’s 812.

He said the contest had not caused any animosity between the two.

“Our relationship is still the same. We relate the same way we related when we first met, there has been no change,” Madikizela said.

He said the loss had not hurt him emotionally, and chuckled when he was asked if he had needed counselling.

“After the conference, I was back at work the very next week.

“When we decided to contest, we knew that we could either win or lose — we can’t be embarrassed after losing.”

Soon after the conference showdown at East London’s ICC, Madikizela told journalists he would approach Mabuyane to discuss vacating his position.

“If it was according to me I would have not have come into government in the first place,” he said.

But Madikizela said his time in government was not a complete waste because he intended to use a portion of his retirement payout, or gratuity, to fund the “million shoes” campaign.

“I’m told there is money you get when you resign — I’m not sure what it’s called — but I will use it to buy shoes for children,” he said.

He said the idea was sparked by seeing pupils across the province who were in dire need of shoes.

“Many of them are either walking barefoot or their shoes are old and torn, and when you follow up you realise that these kids need more.

“I also grew up very poor, I know poverty, I know what it is like,” Madikizela said.

He said he was relieved to be leaving the government because “it had been stressful on a personal level”.

“The only thing that kept me going was the impact I was making.

“Coming into government was a major adjustment as I had to abandon business, which I had been involved in all my life.

“There was also public scrutiny.”

Reflecting on his five years as MEC, Madikizela said he was happy with the work he had done.

He said his achievements included prioritising SMMEs, driving the transformation agenda and the construction of government offices in rural Eastern Cape towns.

“I would not do anything differently,” he said.

HeraldLIVE