The youngest member of the mayoral committee, Matshidiso Mfikoe has possibly the toughest portfolio - keeping the health sector on track.

Matshidiso Mfikoe, the youngest member of the mayoral committee

MATSHIDISO Mfikoe, the mayoral committee member for health, talks of miracles when it comes to HIV and Aids.

She says that this is what was discussed at the International Aids Conference in Toronto in August, which she attended. "People were saying we needed to find new ways of dealing with Aids. We need to find a miracle," she says, with a perceptible sigh.

Mfikoe describes what is being done by the City to find that miracle. Together with her team, she is visiting hostels like Denver in Malvern and Nancefield in Soweto, often still men-only places, where counselling and testing is conducted.

"Ninety percent of men were tested. If they are negative, they are encouraged to stay negative. If they are positive, they are referred to clinics and non-governmental organisations for counselling. We need to go on with this education."

She says she is gradually seeing men shifting their attitudes and taking more responsibility for their behaviour.

"Culture plays a role," Mfikoe says. As women are becoming professionals, men are realising that their attitudes have to change. "Men are really making a difference. There is a mindset change."

She indicates that programmes are focusing more on men these days, with an emphasis on prevention and abstention. Although some women are still trapped in circumstances that make them economically dependent on men, the broader scenario is changing. When it comes to sex, "there is a fair balance of women who can say no, and mean no", Mfikoe says. But women need the support of their communities too.

She points to studies being conducted at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and in Orange Farm, on microbiocides and circumcision, as possible prevention methods. "We are waiting for the results."

Mfikoe, a single mom, was born in Alexandra but grew up and studied in Soweto. She participated in student movements and was a member of the Soweto Youth Congress. She served in the ANC Youth League and is still on the ANC regional executive committee. She is also a member of the ANC Women's League and was previously active in the South African National Civic Organisation.

She has a teacher's diploma from the Soweto College of Education and is studying for a post-graduate diploma in public administration. She still lives in Soweto.

At 34, Mfikoe is the youngest member of the mayoral committee, but she makes it work in her favour. "It's not intimidating," she says, "it's empowering. It gives me an advantage – I say to other councillors that they need to help me with their expertise."

On the other hand, she gets advice from them when she hasn't asked for it. "But I always listen," she says, smiling.

Another challenge of her portfolio is the urgent shortage of staff, particularly clinic nurses and environmental health staff (hospitals fall under the provincial government, while 90 percent of clinics are run by the City). She is boss to some 300 nurses.

Mfikoe says she has a 50 percent shortfall of nurses and a 40 percent shortfall of environmental health staff, the result of budget constraints. And this doesn't include money to renovate clinics and environmental health offices, or Aids awareness programmes.

The department relies on volunteers who are paid a stipend by the provincial government.

"We manage somehow, we do," Mfikoe says. "We try not to focus on the problem, but just on getting the work done."

She says the issue is a complex one. Improving working conditions and increasing nurses' salaries doesn't necessarily help - there is another approach. "I find that just being there for them, giving advice and visiting them at clinics helps." She is organising a motivational speaker, and hopes to make sure they get these talks twice a year.

The high point of her life so far has been her appointment to the mayoral committee. But it had its fearful aspects. "I was shocked when the mayor called me to see him. I thought, ‘I wonder what's wrong now?' I was afraid to ask him. It is a scary appointment but I will deal with the task given."

Mfikoe worked as a councillor before, but reckons that the ANC clearly saw some capacity in her, to have promoted her. "I will take the challenge head on."

She is motivated by "knowing that whatever work I do does not compromise me". But it's the simple things that concern her, like "happy smiles on a child's face", and "addressing the needs of the community".

At heart she is a homely person who enjoys being alone or with her five-year-old son and mother. "I am not an outgoing type of person; I enjoy sitting at home."

She enjoys the housewifely chores too, like washing dishes and cleaning the house.

Although appointed just eight months ago, Mfikoe has found that working in the Health Department has changed her perceptions. "Working in this department changes the way I see things. When I go to clinics and see sick people waiting in queues, I stop being angry."

She lived through the turbulent 1980s in Soweto. "Maybe I used to be angry growing up. It's easy to lose the focus and forget the bigger picture. There is no room for anger [now].

"Now I have a task to perform," she adds. "Together with the executive mayor and other members of the mayoral committee, we have to ensure a better quality of life for the people of Joburg."