Women's Month

Olayi has always been an activist

Serving the community has always been Zintle Olayi’s passion. One of the youngest serving councillors in the country, Olayi recently joined the Cape Winelands District Municipality Council after serving in the Stellenbosch Municipal Council for a year. But before becoming a councillor, Olayi had always been an activist. As part of Women’s Month in South Africa, we went to visit them in their new office.

“My involvement in politics started way back in 2016, but not in a formal political space, it was really just activism. I was involved in lots of NGOs and NPOs, such as the Triangle Project and the Victory Institute. So that was my space where I did my politics. But while I was there, I found that as an activist, you don't really have a strong voice, so I decided formal politics is the answer,” says Olayi.

It was thereafter that they joined the local political forces in the Stellenbosch municipal area. After reviewing different political parties and what they stand for, they decided to join the Democratic Alliance (DA), the FNF’s political partner and friend in South Africa. And so, the journey for the queer Black Olayi began, after more than eight years of informal politics. In 2024, Olayi graduated from the DA Young Leaders Programme – also an FNF-supported programme for young aspiring liberal politicians.

“After Young Leaders, everything just started falling into place, from working as a ward administrator in the municipality, to, a year later, becoming a councillor in the municipality. And not only because of Young Leaders, but also due to my commitment to serving.”

Now, yet another year later, Olayi has been sworn in as a councillor in a bigger municipality, the Cape Winelands District Municipality, which has a broader mandate, serving more communities in the region. Being in the Stellenbosch Council shaped their journey as a politician.

“I learnt a lot about what it means to be a councillor. It was huge, because I was now at the seat, I was at the table. I had a voice. I could speak for people who couldn't speak for themselves, which was very important for me. And it was a responsibility that I didn't take lightly. Because this is people's lives, and I'm one of them, you know. I wanted to do good. I want people to be in better circumstances and better positions in life. And if I have the ability to influence anything in that form, then so be it. So that's what I've been doing for the past years.”

But beyond serving people, politics can be daunting. For Olayi, it has been no easy game. “Politics is not always roses and sunshine, and sometimes the people you think are your friends are not necessarily your friends. Some see you and your growth as a threat. I experienced that.” Despite this, Olayi says the winning recipe lies in forging ahead and keeping the community in mind.

In June this year, Olayi resigned from the Stellenbosch Council to join the Cape Winelands District Municipality. It’s a much bigger municipality, serving a number of towns, including Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, Witzenberg, Breede Valley and Langeberg. For Olayi, this is quite an adjustment, but the purpose remains the same.

“This is new for me. I think I’m the youngest in this new council, with much older colleagues. But I learnt from the Stellenbosch Council that I don’t know everything yet, but the journey continues. This is, of course, a bigger ship. I also have to travel more because it’s a much bigger municipality with offices across the region. It’s slower paced, but I’m told it’s a good place to grow.”

While navigating their way in formal politics, Olayi does not want to stop being an activist. “I want to see where this journey takes me. I don't want to stop being an activist because, first and foremost, that's what I am before I'm a councillor. Being an activist is advocating for something, for someone, and that is what I fundamentally want to do with my life. I feel like this job is what I was put on this earth to do. I am very content and very happy with what I do. And I don't see myself doing anything else.”

With the local government elections coming up in November this year, Olayi says young people must take their future more seriously. “Politics is important. Politics informs where you live, what you eat, what you wear, how you dress, who you speak to, and the job that you have. You can't say that voting or politics is not for you. Politics is for you. It is you. We can change the political landscape in South Africa – that's how important your vote is.”