Mpumalanga’s Finance MEC Graduates Cum Laude

BY: .

The need to broaden his knowledge of Local Economic Development (LED) for the development and sustainability of municipalities in Mpumalanga, motivated the province’s Department of Finance MEC Mr Madala Masuku to pursue studies towards a Master of Commerce in  Leadership Studies (MCom) at UKZN.

Masuku started his career as a Teacher but his love for politics and leadership qualities quickly saw him being appointed as the Project Manager and Co-ordinator for the Youth Education Trust and serve on the regional executives of the African National Congress and the ANC Youth League at various levels.

He was elected as the Member of the Provincial Legislature and subsequently appointed to various MEC positions within Mpumalanga’s provincial government.

Masuku said graduating with an MCom cum laude would help him deliver quality service delivery for his community.

‘There seemed to be absence of leadership around Local Economic Development (LED), so I chose the subject and started reading around it while looking for an institution that was focused on the subject. That is how I found out about UKZN’s MCom (Leadership) and I have acquired a lot of knowledge on the subject of LED and leadership. The development of our economy, creation of jobs and viability of municipalities are critical in the development of our society,’ he said.

Growing up in the poverty stricken village of Calcutta in  Bushbuckridge which battled with high levels of unemployment and illiteracy, Masuku identifies with the challenges that the community of Mpumalanga is facing such as lack of water, electricity, the need for houses and the need to improve the state of the roads.

Therefore his dissertation titled: “Leadership in Local Economic Development within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality Mpumalanga Province”, aimed to find the solution to these issues and contribute to the province’s target of operation clean audit 2014.

‘As a public representative and a responsible South African, this study has helped me to understand the depth of the challenges of poverty, development, unemployment and inequalities. This knowledge acquired has made me more confident and empowered me with skills to systematically deal with the challenges of society.’

Masuku is driven by his passion to share his knowledge and experiences with those around him including his three children and colleagues - his whole family came from Mpumalanga to celebrate with him on graduation day.

-          Thandiwe Jumo