Doing all the right stuff

VALUES: GROUNDING SCORES HER HIGH MARKS AS ONE OF GNU'S BEST LEADERS

- Masoka Dube

RECOGNITION. Sithole has been named the best deputy minister in the GNU by the FW De Klerk Foundation.

Growing up in church under the supervision of disciplined parents are probably some of the factors in Deputy Minister of Small Business Development Jane Sithole being acknowledged recently as one of the best leaders in the government of national unity (GNU).

Sithole, who is also a DA leader in Mpumalanga, was born in Ga-Dikgale village near Polokwane in Limpopo.

She said every Sunday her parents wanted her to be in church and, after church, they made sure that she did her homework.

"Growing up in that village I experienced the strength of community firsthand. Elders were parents, neighbours were family and values were reinforced daily at home, in the village and in church. Our parents raised us in church," Sithole said.

"Being raised in the Lutheran Bapedi Church of South Africa anchored my life in faith, discipline and service. That upbringing shaped my world view and my commitment to people-centred leadership."

Being disciplined and serving the public with integrity has earned her the FW De Klerk Foundation award for the best deputy minister in the government of national unity (GNU).

"I believe life is guided by purpose. When you stay grounded in values, treat people with dignity and keep serving, things fall into place, even if the path is not always clear.

"My parents taught me to work hard, to be honest and to respect people. Those lessons stay with me wherever life takes me. I come from a supportive family and we keep each other grounded."

In the next five years, Sithole wants to look back and see real impact, stronger small businesses, more inclusive economic participation and institutions that work better for the people.