Story of a tough NPA advocate turned DA politician

GILLIAN KLAWANSKY

Launching their book, Rule of Law, Brodie and Breytenbach sat down with journalist Jessica Pitchford to discuss their collaboration.

Still facing charges of contravening the NPA Act, Breytenbach is used to going to battle. As a former senior state prosecutor for the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) and now a DA MP and the party’s shadow minister for justice, she actually thrives on them.

Well-known writer and journalist, Nechama Brodie, is also not one to back down from a fight. In fact, before the two women met, Brodie worried that they may both be too strong-willed to effectively work together so they had lunch to “suss each other out”.

Speaking of their meeting, Brodie said: “We’re both quite opinionated women and it was important that we get along and be interested in working together.”

The two hit it off immediately and so the process of writing the memoir began and continued over a number of years. The two carved out – usually over weekends – time between Breytenbach’s busy schedule to work on the memoir.

While Rule of Law tackles serious issues, it’s also a very humourous book, said Pitchford as she spoke at the launch. “At the start, Breytenbach describes growing up in Kimberley, her closet Jewish maternal grandmother and the friend who taught her how to swear, the art of which she’s apparently now perfected!”

Asked about funny observations used throughout the book, Brodie said that injecting humour into the book came naturally. “Glynnis is a fantastic teller of tales and she’s very self-deprecating and she does this so well.

“She’s also the most accomplished insulter I’ve ever encountered in my over 20 years as a journalist! She has a natural ability to slip the punchline in at exactly the right moment.”

Despite her challenges and humourous nature, Breytenbach’s unflinching passion for her work is palpable throughout the book. Asked about this, she said: “Being a prosecutor is the best job in the world. You get to help people every day; you make a difference in their lives. It’s a real job with great job satisfaction – but only if you do it honestly.”

While she thought she’d miss working as a prosecutor when she left the NPA, Breytenbach says she surprisingly doesn’t, as parliament keeps her very busy and she still fills roles that require her legal know-how.

Dotted throughout the book are also tributes and funny anecdotes from people who have worked with Breytenbach over her 26 years in the legal arena.

“I had to balance out who I’d speak to and we spoke to people who had worked with her at different stages of her career – all of whom have huge respect for her despite any differences they may have. There was also discussion about speaking to some of the people she’s put in jail – some of whom still send her Christmas cards and call her for legal advice!” laughed Brodie.

“But as the writer, I thought it probably wasn’t a good idea.” The quote used on the book cover from former NPA head, Vusi Pikoli, epitomises Breytenbach: “I was always impressed with the fairness and high level of integrity shown by Glynnis. But, above all, I like the fire in her. She truly has fire in her belly.”

This fire has often landed her in trouble, but that’s something Breytenbach has come to expect. Asked when she learned that sometimes it’s best to keep quiet, Breytenbach said she’s never learned this lesson, despite the trouble she faced since insisting that former crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli be investigated and keeping the docket back, despite government interference.

“You should absolutely speak your mind. I certainly knew with Mdluli what the consequences would be and I made peace with that.”

These consequences have included being shot at, something Breytenbach brushes off with her trademark humour. “The hitmen are not terribly good. I was driving a massive car and they only managed to hit it once – it’s not something you should concern yourself with.”

Despite her dry humour, her role in parliament is something Breytenbach takes very seriously. “It is redeeming for all of us, irrespective of where we lie politically to know that there are people in parliament that honour it and want to do that job – some people are fighting a good fight,” said Brodie.

“It’s a huge platform to help people,” said Breytenbach. “I admire the Constitution, it’s the best one in the world and it’s what’s keeping us all safe.”