South Africa’s Youngest Member Of Parliament Hlomela Bucwa

Former Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Student Representative Council (SRC) president Hlomela Bucwa has once again broken ground, this time being recently sworn in as South Africa’s youngest member of parliament …

Congratulatory messages have been pouring in for 23-year-old Bucwa – who was inaugurated as the University’s first ever female SRC president early last year – after she was sworn into parliament on 10 November 2016.

She takes over the title of youngest Member of Parliament (MP) from Yusuf Cassim.

The former DASO leader was one of three candidates selected to represent the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the National Assembly last month following vacancies emanating from the 3 August 2016 local government election.

Bucwa said she was shocked when she received word that she had made it through the gruelling selection process – which included going through Electoral College and essentially selling her skills to a panel of more than 30 people – but was largely humbled by her party’s faith in her leadership abilities.

“I feel very privileged to be here and am also excited to be taking the voice of my constituency – young people – to a national platform,” she said.

“Mine has always been to champion youth issues and as a major constituency in our country, I’m humbled to be able to do this in Parliament as well.

“It’s tough. I still can’t believe that I’m here, but my aim is to make a contribution, no matter how small.”