ZOLEKA CAPA A WOMAN OF THE SOIL… … from nursing people to nurturing a province
T
his is a belief held by Zoleka Capa, MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform in the Eastern Cape. Born in the little town of Flagstaff, in the Eastern Cape, Zoleka overcame almost insurmountable challenges to become the formidable woman, leader and mentor she is today. Like most children growing up in rural areas during the dark years of apartheid, Zoleka also believed there would be few opportunities for her personal advancement and no easy road to success. But through her faith and persistence, and a touch of fate, things would prove otherwise. She paints a picture of her early childhood – one of impoverishment and hardship. Without missing a day, no matter the weather, she walked barefoot for four kilometres to get to school, traversing hazardous terrain at great risk: crossing rivers and climbing hillocks, hungry and without breakfast.
Thozi kaManyisana MLO: Office of the MEC Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Department Eastern Cape Tel: 040 639 1180 • Fax: 040 639 3462 Cell: 082 494 3600
Zoleka completed her primary schooling at Ncuru Bantu Cultural School and part of her high school studies at Emfundisweni School, both in Flagstaff. After her family suffered misfortune, she moved to a remote area and completed her matric at Mount Hargreave High School, run by missionaries, where she stayed with a Reverend Fikeni. Her desire was to go to university but due to “homeland” politics and a lack of funds, she joined the Holy Cross Hospital in Flagstaff as a trainee nurse. There she obtained her diploma as a qualified nurse and midwife. She later registered for a BA in nursing through UNISA. But, it would take her a while to complete her degree. Behind the scenes, she was involved in underground activities with the ANC. On a number of occasions, she was detained for a few months at a time, and was charged with harbouring “arms and terrorists”, fi nally appearing in the Umtata High Court, where she won her case! By this time, 1976, her husband “Lancelot” Ndumiso Capa – whom she had met at school – went into exile. Zoleka remained at home caring for their three children; fighting on for the cause. In 1990, the ANC was unbanned and, through this organisation, she was granted a bursary to study in Australia. Synchronously, her husband had already been living in Australia for two years, studying for his BA in agriculture – at the same university Zoleka would attend: Hawkesbury University of Western Sydney. But first, Zoleka had to complete her BA through UNISA and thereafter, a “bridging”
Right: MEC Zoleka Capa and Nomzi Cingo during the harvesting event in Flagstaff.
course. At Haweksbury, Zoleka obtained her Masters degree in primary healthcare and midwifery. Ironically, both she and her husband graduated on the same day. She returned home and back to the Holy Cross Hospital where she continued to work and tutor (she had never resigned). From then, her rise to prominence was rapid: she was promoted to Deputy Director at the Department of Health for Region E (Kokstad); then elected as a member of parliament, chairing various committees, followed by her appointment as Executive Mayor of the OR Tambo District Municipality, where she served two five year terms. In late 2010, she was redeployed to the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature and appointed MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform. This propitious appointment has proven to be a “blessing” for the province, which needed more than upliftment and development; it needed a rebirth. No better person than Zoleka Capa could have been chosen to undertake this task. A woman who would nurture the soil as she would an ailing patient … As is her nature, Zoleka approaches the many problems of the province with deep insight and a simple philosophy: the crosspollination between commercial and rural farmers to create – in her words – “cultural fusion”. Although she places great emphasis on education and technology, she believes that traditional and indigenous knowledge and values MUST be kept alive. After all, as she says, in the past many people, especially women, lived to be 100 years old and more, because good agricultural practices lead to good health. Her ultimate mission is: sustainable rural communities and food for all. MEC Zoleka Capa is proof that nurses are nurturers – by nature.•