On 12 August, Siviwe Gwarube, the Minister of Basic Education, pleasantly surprised her long-serving assistant, Shannon Malan, with birthday goodies.
MINISTER SIVIWE GWARUBE GIFTS ASSISTANT ON HER BIRTHDAY
The Instagram reel opens with the minister whispering into the camera, “I’ve got a surprise for the birthday girl. Come with me.”
She then walks down the office hallway with birthday goodies in hand. After entering Shannon’s office, the minister happily sings the birthday song and gives her the gift.
So, what was in the orange paper bag? The minister bought her a fancy kettle from Le Creuset, matching salt and pepper shakers, a balloon, and a handwritten card that reads, “Happy birthday. Thank you for all that you do for me. I love you.”
After receiving her birthday gift, Shannon said, “I love you so much, my ma’am. Thank you very much.”
MINISTER: ‘SHE RUNS MY LIFE’
In her birthday message to Shannon, the minister revealed they’ve been joined at the hip for almost a decade. Shannon started working as her assistant when she was the DA’s chief whip. However, managing her as a minister has proven to be quite challenging for Shannon.
“Shannon and I have been working together for 9 years. Almost a whole decade. She became my assistant when I was the Chief Whip of the Official Opposition. I’ve never looked back. But her most demanding and challenging job has to be managing *me* as a Minister,” she wrote.
The minister also praised Shannon for managing all facets of her life with the precision of a “Japanese train”, adding that even her family knows her.
“She runs my life like a Japanese train. Professionally and personally. My family knows her by name. My greatest achievements. They have been shared with her,” she added.
Lastly, the minister expressed deep gratitude for Shannon’s presence in her life, declaring she deserves all the spoils in the world.
“I’m so grateful for her. And any chance I get to spoil her, I’ll do it. As a reminder that she followed me to the edge of the cliff and jumped with me into the most uncertain and terrifying journey yet. Happy Birthday, my Love. You deserve it all!” she wrote.