Leadership with visions for a sustainable future
Charmaine Laubscher, Executive Deputy Mayor of Saldanha Bay, is paving the way for sustainable change. As a municipal councillor responsible for infrastructure and urban planning, she has recently been accepted to participate in the next round of the ICLD Women’s Political Leadership Programme (WPL). In an interview, she shares her journey, her visions, and the lessons that have shaped her leadership.
“I wouldn’t change anything that I’ve gone through in my whole life up to the point where I am now. I would just tell my younger self to persist and continue.”
The path to Executive Deputy Mayor
Charmaine began her political career within the Democratic Alliance, winning her election as a candidate for her ward and becoming a first-time municipal councillor. Early in the process, the former Executive Deputy Mayor encouraged her to apply for the role of Executive Deputy Mayor. After a rigorous selection process, she was chosen for the position and now serves as a role model for aspiring politicians entering local politics.
Challenges along the way
Charmaine Laubscher describes her journey as a first-time politician as a learning experience. One of the primary challenges was understanding how the municipality functions in practice. She emphasizes the need for practical guidance and increased inclusion to empower future politicians and create opportunities for everyone, including women, underrepresented groups, and men:
“I believe we need to take the people that want to become councillors and take their hands and teach them how things actually work in practice. It’s no use having all the knowledge in the world that comes from books if you do not know exactly how it fits into practice,” says Charmaine Laubscher.
Despite the challenges, Charmaine reflects on her early days in politics without regret, stating:
“I wouldn’t change anything that I’ve gone through in my whole life up to the point where I am now, I would just tell my younger self to persist and continue.”
All her experiences have become lessons that shape her continued political leadership and have given her a deeper understanding of the support the local community needs. As part of Charmaine’s change process, she strives to empower councillors to create inclusive policies that prioritize marginalized women and children, break stigmas, improve support systems, and open up more opportunities, thereby reducing women’s underrepresentation and particularly supporting the most vulnerable.
Passions and visions
Charmaine is passionate about several issues that reflect her commitment to community development.
Inclusion of differently-abled people: The talents and knowledge of differently-abled people are often overlooked. Charmaine seeks to create more accessible spaces and opportunities for these individuals to participate in society on equal terms.
Sustainable farming and food delivery: As an activist for small-scale farming with sustainable practices, Charmaine aims to encourage citizens to embrace locally produced food and empower themselves to become more self-sufficient:
” People need to learn to provide for themselves and that not only wanting other people to give.”
Transparency and accountability: Charmaine underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in politics. She believes that fostering a culture of responsibility is crucial to ensuring politicians deliver on citizens’ expectations.
Leadership: Charmaine views her leadership as a collaborative journey where she strives to be a leader with a heart rather than merely a manager directing operations.
“People must see me as a leader with a kind heart and not a boss. I never want to be perceived as a boss who tells you what to do; I want to say, let’s go together.”
Municipal cooperation
The current municipal partnership between Karlskrona and Saldanha Bay falls under Charmaine’s department. She hopes her participation in the WPL program and her visions for the municipality’s future will enhance the partnership with Karlskrona. By sharing lessons and experiences, she aims to empower more women within the municipal council and youth councils in Saldanha Bay.
The partnership is envisioned to contribute to the positive social development that Saldanha Bay strives for.
“By working together within the municipality, across different departments and aspects, we bring so much more to the table to create the change we want to see.”
Hopes for the future
Through her participation in the WPL program, Charmaine Laubscher hopes to strengthen her leadership and contribute to the municipality’s ongoing development and work for inclusion and participation. She looks forward to implementing new ideas and policies that can foster sustainability and community building in the long term. The WPL program could support developing fundamental practices adaptable to Saldanha Bay Municipality and South Africa as a whole.
Charmaine also emphasizes the importance of making Saldanha Bay a starting point for promoting municipal collaboration among South African municipalities.
“Change cannot only happen within and only with yourself; you need to have a network around you. And if we can work together, we can build the greatest South Africa, starting right here in the westernmost part of the Western Cape.”
With her political journey, commitment to community development, and participation in the Women’s Political Leadership Programme, Charmaine Laubscher serves as an inspiration for women and new leaders in South Africa. Her work demonstrates how local leadership can drive change and create a sustainable future.
