Councillor Patricia Dixon, the Good Party’s PR Councillor, serves Weskus Distrik on the MPAC, Finance Portfolio Committee and Community Services Committee portfolios.
What was your first job?
I started as a tea-coffee server and office cleaner. Within a month, I became the receptionist of the law firm. The partners soon realised that I had too much potential doing a job with so much free time, as they put it, and offered me the position of Office Manager to open a new branch.
What did you do with your first salary?
I gave it to my husband as my contribution to our ‘joint income’.
Looking back on those days, what do you wish somebody had told you?
I was raised in a home where being the best you can be was encouraged, but I wish that my parents were more equipped to nurture my talents and potential. As was the case in those years, our social circumstances were against us. As the eldest daughter of five girls, I carried much responsibility that really should have rested with my parents.
Councillor, if you had the power to change one thing in South Africa, what would that be?
The education system must be changed to be inclusive and not one directional. I also believe we should make voting compulsory. Voter education must be done at school level. We must work harder to change the mindsets of our citizenry to want the best, invest in themselves and their surroundings, and collaborate – especially corporate SA and government – regardless of location. This attitude may be the catalyst and, if inculcated from the foundation phase, that South Africa is a great place where we contribute in our unique areas.
Ubuntu must be our lifestyle rather than a concept.
