The Good Wife
Drum English|April 27, 2017

While her husband runs the country’s finances, Norma Gigaba is keeping the home fires burning.

Gabisile Ngcobo
The Good Wife

SHE reclines on a white leather sofa in her spacious living room, elegant in a floral dress. Her hair is sleek, her nails are immaculate, her brows are salon perfect and her make­up is flawless.

This is Nomachule “Norma” Gigaba as her quarter of a million followers on Instagram have come to know her: groomed, stylish and designer­label loving – the woman who enjoys sharing pictures of herself jetting to such places as New York City, Dubai, Rome and London.

But she’s not the same person she used to be, she says. She’s not the “Mrs Gigabytes” of social media fame who lent her nickname to her own brand of clothing last year.

“Long before I created my Instagram account I was Mrs Gigabytes because I was in IT,” she says. “But I’ve been thinking about it – do I really want to be Mrs Gigabytes when I’m 50 or 60 years old? Just imagine, ‘Gogo Gigabytes . . .’ It’s cool now but do I want to invest in a name I’m going to drop later?

“People still call me that but I know in time they’ll forget. I want my [real] name to be known because that’s who I am.”

She’s also, of course, Mrs Malusi Gigaba, wife of the country’s new finance minister who was appointed in highly controversial circumstances.

Life hasn’t changed a lot for the Gigabas since that late night phone call from President Jacob -Zuma offering Malusi the job of holder of the country’s coffers.

This story is from the April 27, 2017 edition of Drum English.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 27, 2017 edition of Drum English.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DRUM ENGLISHView All
Homegrown Heroes
Drum English

Homegrown Heroes

Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020
The Big Clean Up
Drum English

The Big Clean Up

Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020
I'm Back & Better!
Drum English

I'm Back & Better!

Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020
Not An Easy Ride
Drum English

Not An Easy Ride

Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules

time-read
5 mins  |
16 July 2020
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Drum English

Mam' Mary Bows Out

Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent

time-read
6 mins  |
16 July 2020
‘They Lived For Each Other'
Drum English

‘They Lived For Each Other'

This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too

time-read
6 mins  |
9 July 2020
Stranger Than Fiction
Drum English

Stranger Than Fiction

For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020
I Was Raped By A Pastor
Drum English

I Was Raped By A Pastor

His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out

time-read
5 mins  |
16 July 2020
My Fight With Life And Death
Drum English

My Fight With Life And Death

More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience

time-read
6 mins  |
16 July 2020
I AM ENOUGH
Drum English

I AM ENOUGH

Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020