Tandeka Gqada

Gqada completed a Management Development Programme, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Human Resources Management Programme through the University of South Africa. She then worked for UNISA for nine years, before working for Old Mutual and the Nedbank group. In 2010, Gqada became interested in politics and after meeting Masizole Mnqasela, a DA Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, at the opening of a Nedbank branch where Mnqasela had spoken, Gqada decided to join the Democratic Alliance. She was elected as a DA PR councillor in the City of Cape Town in the 2011 municipal elections as the DA won a majority of seats on the council.[1][2] Incoming DA mayor Patricia de Lille appointed Gqada as the Executive Mayoral Committee Member for the Community Services Portfolio. Gqada's appointment took effect when De Lille was elected mayor.[3][4] In February 2013, Gqada was moved to the human settlements portfolio.[5]

Gqada stood as a DA parliamentary candidate in the 2014 national elections as a candidate on the DA's national and regional lists. She was elected to the National Assembly and became the DA's shadow deputy minister for human settlements.[6] In November 2016, Gqada was moved to the energy portfolio. Her appointment took effect in January 2017.[7][8]

In June 2017, Gqada witnessed the fatal shooting of the DA's councillor for Phillipi East, Xolile Gwangxu. In a subsequent Facebook post, Gqada said that the shooting left her traumatised, unable to sleep after seeing Gwangxu fall to the ground.[9]

Gqada stood for re-election in 2019. She was the 134th candidate on the DA's national list and the 39th candidate on the DA's Western Cape list.[10] She lost her seat at the election.[11]