Mpumi Edward: Opening Doors for Young Women in Politics

When Mpumi Edward set her eyes for national office during the 2024 General Elections, the journey did not go as she had hoped. However, what felt like failure became, in her words, a powerful lesson in “failing forward.” Drawing on leadership skills from the Futurelect Women in Public Office Programme, Edward refused to view the election outcome as an end. Instead, she saw it as a chance to forge a new direction in local government. “Within my campaign I felt that I had dismally failed at national level within the various phases of the campaign. But when I recall all the teachings from Futurelect, I then picked myself up, restarted, and sought other opportunities because I was already in public office,” she says. Edward is a councillor and the former Chairperson of the city's Section 79 Finance Oversight Committee while also pursuing her PhD. Her story reflects determination and the strategic resilience Futurelect instils in its alumni. “The lesson is that failure is not actually failure. It’s preparing you for something different, and we should always be alert and adjust to other milestones,” she explains.

Mpumi Edward during the Futurelect Alumni Summit held in 2024

For Edward, local government is not just a stepping stone but the core of service delivery. She encourages young leaders to understand its importance in implementing policies and ensuring basic services reach communities. “We want to see more young people, especially in local government, because this is where change is truly felt,” she notes.

Her message to young women considering public office is impactful yet straightforward: equip yourself with the right tools and never let fear stop you. “You need a toolkit to venture into public space, specifically in local government. You need to prepare yourself. We want to see a different breed of public servants at local government who can turn things around,” she insists.

Lemogang Ntu, Mpumi Edward, Zelda Monametsi and Ephenia Mafagane pictured at the Futurelect Alumni Summit held in 2024

As an alumna of Futurelect, Edward credits the programme with shaping her leadership approach and helping her turn setbacks into opportunities. She continues to inspire other women to embrace leadership, reminding them that ambition is just the start; it’s the skills, strategies, and connections that sustain a career in public office. “Be bold. Step forward. Raise your hand. Complete that application and let Futurelect work with you towards your journey of being a public representative,” she says.