Aletta Mzimela, also known as Mam Aletta, leaves behind a legacy of outstanding work and projects in the City as she bows out after 33 years of dedicated service. When Aletta talks about her job, she becomes animated and you can hear the discipline with which she approaches her tasks. She might seem strict, but behind the tough demeanour she hides a wicked sense of humour. She was born in Sophiatown and grew up in Diepkloof after the forceful removals.

At home, she is a mother and a community activist, but at work she was a mentor and an advocate for the voiceless. 

She has served in her current role as sub-unit head of the Social Benefit Unit (SBU) of Social Development since 2013. She was tasked with setting it up.

Her name is familiar across the City for the impactful work she has done for substance abuse programmes and social development programmes. 

She joined the City in May 1990 as an entry-level social worker under the Soweto City Council. In 1996, she was seconded to the Indigent Unit.

Aletta was later transferred to Region B, where she championed several community-based programmes including youth development programmes, the establishment of a women’s forum, and domestic workers’ watch. She says the youth were “gainfully engaged”. 

Shortly thereafter, she was appointed Operational Manager and oversaw staff supervision and performance management. In 2009, she was appointed Assistant Director in Region D, taking her back to where it all started. 

Aletta turned the region around by improving staff morale to effectively contribute to optimal service delivery to residents. A highlight she is proud of was when participants from an income-generating project showcased their work at design expo Decorex through the Department of Trade and Industry and a school uniform programme in the community that helped alleviate poverty and assist with basic school uniform needs.

Her commitment to fighting substance abuse grew after she joined SBU and she became the City’s sole voice on the matter. She was nominated as a representative for the City to serve on the provincial substance abuse forum. 

She had a hand in establishing eight substance abuse treatment centres across the City. The inception of a substance abuse crisis line marked another milestone in her career and in the fight against substance abuse.

Aletta also became a member of the local drug action committee and played the secretary role and she is also coordinating the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use, which is a group for substance abuse researchers and practitioners.

As she bows out of the City’s service, she won’t be sitting idle. She is joining a veteran’s organisation, the South African Black Social Workers Association, and will form part of the substance abuse task team.

“I leave the City in good hands and am happy to have been able to explore, establish, learn and share my expertise, particularly in social work,” says Aletta.