So, Mmusi Maimane. He’s the new leader of the DA. I think it’s high time we make him a household name. Loads of people still don’t know enough about him, so we’re going to put together some interesting facts.

First off, let’s delve into Mmusi’s private life, namely, his wife. Her name is Natalie and they met at church.

Naturally, I was attracted to my wife, and as our courtship progressed, our attraction became based on common values. To say I did not see she was “white” and she did not see I was “black” would be disingenuous, but we were able to look past this… But mostly, it was important for us to be with each other – not fight a cause, not prove a point, but simply be.

Don’t they look lovely together? That’s them at the 2014 SONA’s, at this weekend’s celebrations in PE, and on Reach for a Dream’s Slipper Day.

The two have known each other for years – they have already been married for a decade – and Natalie looks like the proudest supporter out there.

Early on in their relationship, the couple was at a family funeral which ended up showing Mmusi that his wife had been welcomed into the family and that his family “didn’t see her through the colour of her skin”…

My wife and a cousin of mine stood in a line to get food after the processions. In the black culture, in events like funerals, all women have to be working either helping in the kitchen or anywhere there maybe a shortage of hands. My grandmother arrived to give both my cousin and my wife a tongue lashing, that they stood in the queue while everybody was working.

Mmusi is now 34 years old and joined the DA in 2009. He grew up the oldest of four children in Soweto and has a Masters Degree in Theology (he has been known to preach at his church). He and Natalie have two children, and he often takes his daughter, the older of the two, to work with him:

My kids must be engaged with issues that concern black South Africans. So I take my daughter, because she is able to now, on campaign trails. We go to informal settlements…I want her there. She must know, the world has multiple variants.

This man is going to be interesting to follow for the next few years as he hopefully brings South Africa out of its current state. Apparently he gets on really well with Julius Malema, too.

Personally, anyone who quotes Maya Angelou in their acceptance speech is a great person.

The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. Who may not call God the same name you call God – if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody.

Don’t worry, we will keep you updated on Mmusi’s actions.

[Source: News 24, IOL, ENCA HERE and HERE, and ENCA and EWN for images]