Naledi Chirwa
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Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose | |
|---|---|
 Chirwa-Mpungose in 2024. | |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| Assumed office 22 May 2019 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa 22 July 1993 Vosloorus, East Rand, Transvaal Province, South Africa |
| Political party | Economic Freedom Fighters (2015–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Pretoria |
| Occupation | Member of Parliament |
| Profession | Politician |
Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa-Mpungose (born 22 July 1993) is a South African feminist, legislator and former student activist serving as a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa. A member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), she was sworn in as an MP on 22 May 2019. She is one of the youngest MPs of the 6th Parliament. Chirwa was involved in the #FeesMustFall student protests that occurred at the University of Pretoria between 2015 and 2016.
Early life and education[edit]
Chirwa was born on 22 July 1993 in Vosloorus, East Rand, in the former Transvaal Province.[1] She was raised by her grandmother in Mamelodi, Pretoria.[1] In 2009, she served as the deputy president of the Tshwane North College FET (now known as the Tshwane North College TVET).[1] She was only 15 years old at that time.[1] Chirwa earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Honours degree in Drama and Film Studies at the University of Pretoria. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Theatre and Performance at the University of the Witwatersrand.[2]
Political career[edit]
She joined the Economic Freedom Fighters in 2015 and became a member of the party's Student Command at the University of Pretoria. She was appointed as the command's communications officer.[1] In August 2016, during former president Jacob Zuma's speech at the IEC election centre following the 2016 municipal elections, Chirwa and three other student activists disrupted his speech while holding up signs reading "Khanga", "Remember Khwezi", "I am 1 in 3" and "10 yrs later", in reference to Zuma's rape trial of the mid-2000s.[3][4]
Also in 2016, Chirwa was involved in student protests relating to the #FeesMustFall movement. She was later arrested and suspended on campus as part of her bail conditions.[5] In 2017, she was one of the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans.[6]
Parliamentary career[edit]
In May 2019, she was elected to the National Assembly and became the youngest EFF MP. Chirwa serves alongside other student activists, including Peter Keetse, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa and Vuyani Pambo.[7] On 25 June 2019, she delivered her maiden speech at the debate of the State of the Nation Address. She was forced to withdraw a comment about the government being complicit in the murders of #FeesMustFall activists.[8][9] Chirwa serves on the Portfolio Committee on Health in parliament.[10]
In January 2022, Chirwa was criticised for calling President Cyril Ramaphosa "toothless" and a "weak little boy".[11]
In March 2024, Chirwa was absent from parliament in order to care for her unwell child. She was forced to apologise, and to buy two branded EFF gazebos, costing R5000 each. Chirwa was subsequently demoted to last position on both national and Gauteng lists for the 2024 general election, meaning it is highly unlikely that she will return to parliament.[12][13]
Personal life[edit]
Chirwa has one child.[1] In October 2022, Chirwa announced that she is married.[14]
Nationality[edit]
Since becoming an MP, Chirwa's nationality has been questioned. In January 2022, Chirwa responded to the allegations that she is not a South African by tweeting: “You can lie to yourselves about my nationality until you turn green in the buttocks. It will not make your lies the truth and neither will it ever silence me. I didn’t buy my voice. I’m not renting it either. Rest assured, I will always speak and there’s nothing you can do about it."[15]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Zwane, Nokuthula (4 June 2019). "Naledi Chirwa: Voice of the voiceless". Sunday World. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "Ms Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa". Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ Makhubu, Ntando (8 August 2016). "Woman in Zuma #Khwezi protest speaks out". IOL. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Ngoepe, Karabo (6 August 2016). "Anti-rape protesters disrupt Zuma's speech". News24. Pretoria. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ Madibogo, Julia (19 October 2016). "Who is Naledi Chirwa - Drama student‚ Zuma tormentor‚ EFF student leader and fees must fall campaigner". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Maputla, Tswelopele (23 May 2019). "#BlackGirlMagic: These female parliamentarians are only in their 20s". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ Bhengu, Cebelihle (22 May 2019). "Power to the new generation: three young MPs you need to know". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Gerber, Jan (25 June 2019). "EFF's Chirwa forced to withdraw remark that government was complicit in 'brutal murders' of Fees Must Fall activists". News24. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ Davis, Gaye (25 June 2019). "Sona debate: EFF's Chirwa forced to withdraw Ramaphosa comments in maiden speech". Eyewitness News. Cape Town. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Portfolio Committee on Health - Parliament of South Africa". Parliament of South Africa. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "The EFF's 28-year-old Naledi Chirwa called Cyril Ramaphosa a 'weak little boy' and now Twitter is divided". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Ntombela, Nomzamo Portia. "NOMZAMO NTOMBELA: Naledi Chirwa's apology a disturbing reminder of patriarchy in politics". EWN. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ Macupe, Bongekile. "Out with the old, in with the new: Carl Niehaus sitting pretty at number 27 on EFF's list for Parliament". News24. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ Kahla, Cheryl (3 November 2022). "'Getting married for haters' – EFF's Naledi Chirwa ties the knot [PICS]". The Citizen. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Naledi Chirwa hits back at critics: 'You can lie about my nationality until you turn green in the buttocks'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 19 January 2022.