- Sindi Maphumulo Mashinini says she lost nearly R500,000 in political work before quitting to focus on business and farming.
- The former National Freedom Party deputy president now saves money, travels with family and urges women to spend wisely.
Durban businesswoman Sindi Maphumulo Mashinini has rebuilt her life after losing nearly half a million rand in politics.
Maphumulo Mashinini, once the deputy president of the National Freedom Party under the late Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, told Scrolla.Africa that politics drained her financially and emotionally.
“In 2011 I was paying R7,000 every month for the party’s office rent and R1,500 for petrol,” she said. “When I added it all up, I had spent over R400,000 on campaigns, food parcels, accommodation and other activities.”
Then came Covid-19, and later the July 2021 unrest, which completely destroyed her businesses. “My businesses were wiped out by the looting,” she said.
After the unrest, she sold her remaining assets, left politics, and focused on reviving her farming and other ventures.
Today, she runs a successful livestock business, raising chickens, cattle and goats. “I’m now able to save a lot of money because I spend it wisely,” she said. “As I speak to you, I’m in Johannesburg enjoying a holiday with my family.”
She says politics can leave people broke and broken. “Politics can destroy a person emotionally and financially without any personal gains,” she said.
Maphumulo Mashinini joked that she even grew to hate her Mercedes-Benz C180 because she used it for party work until it wore out.
Her message to others, especially women: “Spend wisely, reprioritise, and avoid living through debt.”
Pictured above: Durban businesswoman Sindi Maphumulo Mashinini says leaving politics helped her rebuild her life.
Image source: Supplied
