Get to Know Jane Seboletswe Mananiso

What is your political background? How did you come to join your political party and become an MP?

First, I would like to thank the Parliamentary Monitoring Group for the opportunity to do this interview as I know that PMG is actually helping our people in terms of how Parliament works.

I was exposed to the ANC as a teenager since I was 14 years old. When I turned 18, I joined the ANC and have been a member to date. I have led different structures of the ANC including the ANC Women’s League and been a member of the ANC National Executive Committee as well as the ANC Youth League serving on the National Task Team. In terms of my political activism, I have been a part of the body politics of the ANC, and have not just been an ordinary member, but have served in portfolio committees and sub-committees. It has been our responsibility to design programmes and implement them according to the policies of the ANC. I have been an Activist my entire life, politically and socially in my community.

What does your job as an MP entail? What impact do you hope to have?

I am part and parcel of those in the legislature as an MP. My work involves oversight on select committees. Currently, I am the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice and my oversight work extends to Ministers and Departments and what they have committed to do, including achieving what our policies entail. For example, the SAPS falls under the Select Committee of Security and Justice, and we exercise oversight and accountability over the SAPS. Each time we engage with the SAPS, we interrogate their work to ensure that they are creating safer communities and executing their work.

What are your thoughts on the Government of National Unity (GNU) for the Seventh Parliament?

We must agree that the GNU is a turning point of our democracy in South Africa and this is based on the outcome of the elections. I think that our people want us to work together to create better lives for all. We have seen that our people have not trusted us alone as the ANC by giving us the majority vote to lead the government for the 7th administration. I think South African’s want to give us a chance and see how we work together to give South African’s what is due to them in terms of services to ensure a better life for all.

What can be done to get citizens more interested/ involved in Parliament?

We need to strengthen citizen involvement in Parliament as everyone can use the media to access information, but we need to reach people through public education in their own indigenous language. In this way, people will understand their responsibilities. Currently there is a lack of participation, because people may not know what they can do or how they can become involved. I believe, that government’s responsibility is to inform and educate our people.

Which Constituency Office/area have you been assigned to? Can you give examples of Constituency work you engaged in or plan to do?

I am now in the NCOP and previously, in the sixth Parliament, I was assigned to a constituency in Johannesburg. There were progressive programmes to date which I am currently only overseeing due to other commitments. I adopted Itumeleng, a special school in Westonaria and I have involved various stakeholders from public and private entities who are still presently involved in supporting the school such as with market days and fundraising which has ensured the schools growth. This is one of the things I am very proud of – taking care of the vulnerable and those who are oppressed by status or socio-economic surroundings.

In the current 7th Administration, I have been deployed to the PCO in Roodepoort as an MP exercising oversight and ensuring that the PCO serves our people. We visited Durban Deep Primary School and its yard was not properly done and this was addressed to ensure school readiness and a conducive environment for learners. The branch of the ANC in this ward had people who owned gardening equipment and volunteered to do this at the school. Having properly coordinated programmes will allow this government to work for everyone. I also pride myself on doing testimonials for community development, funding applications and sponsorship. Many organizations approach me for testimonials to get sponsorships which I am able to assist with. I believe that even if I am deployed to a certain PCO, I should not forget about the ward that I come from, Ward 22, Mohlakeng in Randfontein. I have been engaged in a yearly programme with one of the businessman in the area and we identify learners that we can assist from underprivileged homes who have excelled academically and we assisted a young man from Mohlakeng to attend the University of Johannesburg.

What will you and your party be focusing on during your term? (will you introduce legislation, will your oversight focus on any specific area etc…)

The current 7th Administration will focus on legislation that empowers people. Some people are happy about the current policies that have been signed off, such as the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, the Public Procurement Act and the Land Expropriation Act. We will focus on things which strengthen our work and opening up development. People have an interest of many things such as revitalization of transport and investing in PRASA. There is myriad of things that the ANC will be focused on during this term. I think what is important, is to ensure that we make local government work for our people. It is long overdue for the local government space to become professionalised and service our people. We are all very agile and want to enure that the District Development Model works. Everything happens in the local sphere, so having a properly coordinated structure, will enable us to address any issues as they arise. We are committed to prosperity and investing in education and inclusive education reform, healthcare for all, and research development is very important to us and we will consider this during the 7th administration to strengthen early childhood development, improving public schools, expanding TVET colleges, and addressing NSFAS challenges to ensure equitable access to education. We will also drive innovation to achieve the National Development Plan target of 1,1 GDP investment. The ANC reaffirms its commitment to building a fair and prosperous future for all South Africans.

What are you passionate about? This applies both in the political/ professional arena and personally.

I am passionate about persons with disabilities, issues affecting women as well as issues concerning the youth and those who are 35 and above. I didn’t hear the President speaking about those who are 35 and above and the government’s plan on this during his State of the Nation Address 2025, but I will lobby and advocate for this. I was happy to hear the President speaking about disability, the youth and the LQBTQIA+ community. Cost-cutting is also important and this will be my responsibility during the 7th administration to ensure that we don’t leave anyone behind. I am very passionate about social issues and I believe that if we deal with such issues such as substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and school drop-out rates, we would create a better society. People should also be aware that TVET Colleges are the future for work programmes and they should consider enrolling at these colleges. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is also important to me as an Activist and I always participate in anything involving this. I have suggested that we commemorate the 25th of each month to signify saying no to GBV in my community and I always remind them of this without fail.

What is your message to South Africa?

I was very excited by the SONA 2025 and the President called on everyone not to be bystanders, but to create a conducive environment for everyone so that we create a better life for all. South African’s should not simply be complacent, but become a part of everything happening in society. For instance, people should participate in giving feedback about municipalities. Let us join our minds to create the South Africa that we want. We should all consider what we can do to create inclusive opportunities and job creation. We can all come together, sharing a common goal to create a better South Africa. I would like to extend my condolences to the families of all those that have lost their loved ones during the DRC crisis. May the good lord be with them during these trying times.

To learn more about Ms Mananiso, visit her profile here: