BIO
NATALIA
SIFUBA
- Born in Dlamini, Soweto
- Class of 1976
- Former political activist Former ANC exile
- Author of “The Wauchope’s Generational Activism "
- Ardent keeper of the memorable SS Mendi 2017
tragedy
GENERAL INFORMATION
A class of 1976, Natalia “Nat” was born in Dlamini 1 Soweto. At aged 15, fled her homeland, South Africa on 6th April 1978, became a cadre of the African National Congress (ANC) and lived in various countries across the globe. In the aftermath of June 16 1976, she skipped the country together with her first cousin Kuku Petunia Wauchope to join the liberation struggle project dedicated to bringing down an oppressive and racist apartheid regime.
Sadly 11 years later still exiled, Kuku would pass away in December 1989 in SOMAFCO, at an ANC settlement Mazimbu Tanzania. Nat is a second born daughter of Joyce Nombuyiselo Kalaote nee Wauchope, main subject of this book and the sixth descendant of Reverend Isaac Williams Dyobha Wauchope [1852-1917], a prominent member of the Eastern Cape African elite in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a Congregational minister, political activist, historian, poet and ultimately, legendary hero in the SS Mendi troopship disaster of 21st February 1917.
Unbeknown to the family, Patriarch Rev I. W. Dyobha Wauchope, when challenging and engaging the early 20th century Cape colonialists, his heroic actions would pave the path of political activism for many Wauchope generations.
POLITICS
After 13 years in exile Nat returned to South Africa in 1991 and became part of the ANC cadreship in 1995 that joined the public service that was amalgamated and formed part of the Security Cluster after the dawn of our democracy. Since 2000, she has joined her husband Pakamisa Sifuba (former MK Combatant) on a number of diplomatic assignments abroad. From 2011, her husband has served as South Africa’s Ambassador in a number of countries including Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, Swaziland and now designate to Burkina Faso. In Cuba, she was the deputy secretary for the ANC Youth & Student Union during her seven years stay in that island. That was quite demanding as she was at the time an electronic student, and it was a demanding political environment as well, mobilising for our struggle under the banner of the ANC. As ANC students were placed all over the educational institutions of the Island of Cuba, she also served as the secretary for both the Havana ANC Branch as well as for the ANC Women’s Section.
EDUCATION
Nat is a graduate of the University of South Africa (UNISA) where she completed a BA degree in Communication Science and currently enrolled for an Honours degree in Political Science. She has a National Electronic Diploma in Radio Communication obtained in Havana Cuba while exiled there in 1984 followed by a two year internship at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) between 1987- 89. She has also earned other formal training such as a Certificate - Systems Analysis and Design, an A+ Certificate, a Diploma in Personnel & Training management, Certificate in managing the employment process (UNISA), Certificate - Women in Management School of Business & Leadership Sbl, (UNISA)..
CAREER
Thirteen years later Nat returned from exile. Prior to be recalled to the ANC Head Quarters in Shell House in 1994, she worked for a Johannesburg based NGO at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) as a Technical Coordinator from 1992-94. In 1989 – 1990 she was a Maintenance Technician at the Transmission Studios ANC Project Mazimbu, Morogoro Tanzania. In 1987 – 1989 was an intern as a Maintenance Technician at the Radio & Television Studios, Australian Broadcasting Cooperation (ABC), Sydney Australia. Between 1986 - 1987 Maintenance Technician, Electrical Department ANC Project Mazimbu, Morogoro, Tanzania. .