Connie September

{{short description|South African politician}} {{Use South African English|date=April 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox person |name = Connie September |caption = September in 2013 |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|06|26|df=y}} |birth_place = Cape Town, South Africa |occupation = Trade unionist, politician |alma_mater = Da Vinci Institute |module = {{Infobox officeholder |embed = yes |honorific_prefix = |honorific_suffix = |image = |image_size = |alt = |caption = |office2 = Minister of Human Settlements |term_start2 = 10 July 2013 |term_end2 = 25 May 2014 |president2 = Jacob Zuma |predecessor2 = Tokyo Sexwale |successor2 = Lindiwe Sisulu |office = Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC Veterans' League |term_start = July 2023 |president = Snuki Zikalala |term_end =  |predecessor = Evelyn Lubidla |successor =  |party = African National Congress |committees = |cabinet = Cabinet of South Africa }} }}

'''Cornelia Carol "Connie" September''' (born 26 June 1959 in Cape Town) is a South African former trade unionist and politician. She served as Minister of Human Settlements from July 2013 to May 2014 under President Jacob Zuma, and in July 2023, she was elected Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) Veterans' League. Currently, September occupies the position of Chairperson for the CCMA.<ref name="PA - Connie Bio">{{cite web |title=Cornelia Carol September |url=https://www.pa.org.za/person/cornelia-carol-september/ |website=People's Assembly (PA) |access-date=26 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="COSATU - Connie Bio">{{cite web |title=Bio- Connie September – COSATU |url=https://mediadon.co.za/bio-connie-september/ |website=www.mediadon.co.za |publisher=COSATU |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="CCMA - September">{{cite web |title=Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) - Management |url=https://nationalgovernment.co.za/units/management/83/commission-for-conciliation-mediation-and-arbitration-ccma |website=nationalgovernment.co.za |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref>

==Early life and activism== September was born in Cape Town and spent parts of her childhood on the Western Cape coast. She began her working life in a clothing factory in Salt River. In 1982, she became involved in political activism through community forums associated with the Grassroots newspaper. These experiences led her into the civic and labour movement in the Cape.<ref name="SA History - Connie Bio">{{cite web |title=Connie September - South African History Online |url=https://sahistory.org.za/people/connie-september |website=sahistory.org.za |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref>

==Political career== September entered Parliament in 1999 and served in various leadership positions, including Chief Whip of the ANC and chairperson of several parliamentary committees, such as those on Water Affairs and Forestry, and later on Higher Education and Training.<ref name="PA - Connie Bio" />

In July 2013, she was appointed as Minister of Human Settlements following a Cabinet reshuffle. During her brief term, she emphasised the need to transform the housing sector and address discrimination in housing delivery. She was succeeded by Lindiwe Sisulu in May 2014.<ref name="gov.za - Connie (MP)">{{cite web |title=Minister Connie September on transformation in the real estate sector {{!}} South African Government |url=https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/minister-connie-september-transformation-real-estate-sector-15-jan-2014 |website=www.gov.za |publisher=South African Government |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref>

==Education== At age 61, in May 2022, September was awarded a PhD in Technology and Innovation in Education from the Da Vinci Institute. Her doctoral research focused on measuring the social return on investment in South Africa's public college system, highlighting the impact of public funding on student success.<ref name="IOL - September Educational Achievement">{{cite news |title=Ballet patron Connie September obtains PhD at 61 |url=https://iol.co.za/capetimes/news/2022-06-07-ballet-patron-connie-september-obtains-phd-at-61/ |access-date=26 July 2025 |work=IOL |date=2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Art Scape - September Educational Achievement">{{cite news |title=Connie September Receives Doctoral Degree - Artscape Theatre Centre - Cape Town |url=https://www.artscape.co.za/connie-september-receives-doctoral-degree/ |access-date=26 July 2025 |date=27 May 2022}}</ref>

==Trade Union Leadership==  September became active in the South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU), where she served as national treasurer and Western Cape vice-chair. In 1993, she made history by becoming the first woman elected as Deputy President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), a major umbrella labour organisation in the country.<ref name="SA History - Connie Bio" /><ref name="Trade Union Beginnings - SA.co.za">{{cite web |title=Connie September - South African Women Activists Celebrated |url=https://southafrica.co.za/connie-september.html |website=southafrica.co.za |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref>

==September Commission== In 1997, she chaired a major COSATU initiative known as the September Commission, named after her. This commission explored the future of trade unions in South Africa, considering the political and economic changes in the post-apartheid era. Its report outlined key challenges and proposed strategies to ensure unions remained relevant and effective. The commission's findings continue to influence COSATU's strategic planning to this day.<ref name="September Commission - Cosatu">{{cite web |title=September Commission – COSATU |url=https://mediadon.co.za/september-commission/ |website=www.mediadon.co.za |publisher=COSATU |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="MG - Connie">{{cite news |title=Connie September's surprise rise |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2013-07-12-00-connie-septembers-surprise-rise/ |access-date=26 July 2025 |work=The Mail & Guardian |date=12 July 2013 |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

==Role in the ANC Veterans' League== In July 2023, during the ANC Veterans' League's third national conference held in Boksburg, she was elected as Deputy Secretary-General of the league. Her election marked her continued involvement in ANC leadership, especially among veteran members of the party.<ref name="ANC Veterans League">{{cite news |title=ANC Veterans League Holds Successful Conference |url=https://www.ancvl.org.za/anc-veterans-league-holds-successful-conference/ |access-date=26 July 2025 |work=ANC Veterans League |date=31 July 2023}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Tokyo Sexwale}} {{s-ttl|title=Minister of Human Settlements|years=2013 – 2014}} {{s-aft|after=Lindiwe Sisulu}} {{end}} {{Jacob Zuma cabinet 1}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:September, Cornelia}} Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Cape Town Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2004–2009 Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2009–2014 Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2014–2019 Category:African National Congress politicians Category:Women government ministers of South Africa Category:Women members of the National Assembly of South Africa Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 1999–2004