Joburg's first ombudsman ready for the challenges

Armed with 20 years' experience in human rights and commercial law, advocate Siduduzo Gumede, the first ombudsman for the City of Joburg, has assumed office.

Essentially, his office performs a watchdog function on issues of governance and investigates cases of maladministration when members of the public allege unfair treatment, among other duties.

He oozes energy, speaking from his plush temporary office in the private office of the executive mayor, Parks Tau.

"I have confidence. There are many challenges, of course. The many years I have lived and worked have prepared me for this position," Gumede said.

Born in Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal and raised in KwaDukuza in the same province, the advocate has enjoyed an illustrious career, if his CV is anything to go by.

He served as a clerk at the Department of Home Affairs in his hometown between 1985 and 1986, and has worked as a legal adviser at Old Mutual, the Financial Services Board and BP Southern Africa.

True to the character of legal practitioners, Gumede speaks nonstop.

He reminisces about the days he started out as a young legal intern at the Human Rights Commission in Salt River, Cape Town.

There, he rubbed shoulders with some of the industry's celebrated names such as the late chief justice Pius Langa.

"I used to read newspapers every day to collate information about many things, such as political violence and taxi violence at the time. I enjoyed it," he said.

A highlight in his career was his admission as an advocate in Cape Town in 2003. He has been a member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates (The Johannesburg Bar) since January 2006.

When it comes to administration, his new office - which opens for business on July 1 - must set an example in the City of Joburg, he says. "This office must be a mirror, the best reflection of the city; it must be free from blemish."

He says the ombudsman's position will afford him an opportunity to tap into his other interest as an activist.

"I have always believed in giving back and being an activist of sorts. As a lawyer, I always wanted a greater role beyond the ordinary practice of law."

Gumede holds a BA degree with majors in politics and industrial sociology and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of the Witwatersrand.

He also holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in International Commercial Law with merit from the University of Kent at Canterbury in England.

Gumede does not want to forget his rural roots in KZN.

He aims to revisit his former Inkamana High School in Vryheid, where he matriculated in 1983, to see how he can create opportunities for pupils.

"I have not decided how I am going to get involved with the school, but what I do know is I want to give back to a school that has given so much to me."