Q: Tell us about your job.
A: I am the regional legal officer for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and I am responsible for advising as well as litigating on all legal matters, on behalf the national union and its members at the CCMA; Bargaining Councils and at the Labour Court. I am also an ordained minister of religion who pastors a congregation of saints at Saints Assembly SA as well as Port Alfred Celebration Centre in Port Alfred.
Q: What made you get into that line of work?
A: I believe I came into these professions through God’s grace. I have been called to serve in the body of Christ as well as throughout the ends of this Earth and our Lord Jesus Christ has promised to be with us. Our colonial, as well as the apartheid past, channeled me into the world of law and politics. My family lived just below the poverty line. We could barely make it but Christ was at the centre and provided for us each day.
Q: Describe your most memorable work experience.
A: I have many memorable experiences because there is nothing as fulfilling as winning a case of a worker who had been unfairly dismissed or treated. Some of such cases involve big conglomerates such as Mercedes Benz SA, VW SA, Continental SA, Ford SA, Lear Corporation, Eastern Cape Seating (Pty) Ltd. Recently, I won a case against Eastern Cape Seating, where the company was ordered to pay R1.2-million to six employees who had been unfairly dismissed in 2008. However, the most memorable experiences is when I was asked to officiate as a pastor when Numsa opened their regional building in Newton Park, Port Elizabeth and every time I am called to preach in a Numsa gathering or when the Holy Spirit delivers someone through me on a one-on-one basis, be it a colleague or a member (worker).
Q: How do you unwind when you are not working?
A: I read the Bible and Christian literature, I evangelise, I go to church and to prayer meetings.
Q: What is your motto in life?
A: Putting Christ at the centre of everything I do, thus my favourite scripture is Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
Q: What makes you happy?
A: Serving the Lord.
Q: What makes you angry?
A: The devil’s deceit, especially when it is disguised as the truth. We see this often in churches – tent crusades when people, including so-called pastors and prophets push their selfish and evil agendas under the pretence of preaching the gospel of Christ.
Q: What do you think about the youth of South Africa? Do you have any advice for them?
A: The youth must listen to their parents, teachers and elders. Respect is a virtue and the youth of Port Alfred need to study in order to reshape their future. Above all they must seek the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and worship only Him.
Q: What do you like most about Port Alfred?
A: The beautiful people as well as awesome scenery.
Q: If you could change one thing about Port Alfred …
A: The culture of religion, and to inculcate the hunger and thirst of worshiping God in truth and in Spirit.
Q: What is your favourite music of all time?
A: Classic music such as Mozart.
Q: Three wishes for South Africa?
A: That it becomes a God-loving and God-fearing country, that it becomes a growing and a prosperous country and a hub of skills for the entire world.
Q: Who is your role model?
A: Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Q: Who would you take on The Amazing Race given the oppor tunity?
A: Anyone who is keen on becoming what the Word of God says he/she is.
