UP CLOSE … with parliamentarian Sylvanne Lemiel |20 February 2018

‘Always be who you are and humble in life, don't ever try to be someone else’

Her great interest and commitment in helping to organise community activities, her engagement and desire to be a volunteer in different movements aimed at helping others and bringing some comfort to the sick and vulnerable in the community got her involved in politics, something she had no great interest in at first.

But as the different women’s groups she was wholeheartedly involved in back then in the late 90s became more and more politically connected, she saw herself getting immersed deeper and deeper in matters related to politics and the party in power as she took on more responsibilities at district level. 

But the important thing is that in her view she remained a people’s person, humble, down to earth, a good listener, someone who is easy to talk to once one gets to know her.

She is Sylvanne Lemiel (born Ballette), the current elected member of the National Assembly (MNA) for the Anse Royale district. It is the district which is home to the University of Seychelles, other facilities like a regional health centre with all its related services, the Wellness Centre among others. Anse Royale has four main sub-districts with a population of over four thousand inhabitants scattered among the four localities and for some very far apart and up in the remotest parts. It is no coincidence therefore that Anse Royale is referred to as the second town, quite a daunting responsibility for its parliamentary representative, 45-year-old Mrs Lemiel.  

Catching up with her recently she was eager to talk a little about how she goes about fulfilling her numerous challenging responsibilities as MNA, answer to, visit and meet the needs and expectations of her constituents as well as spare time for family.

A passion for community work

Hailing from Anse Aux Pins where she went to school, Mrs Lemiel was one of those students who enrolled in the National Youth Service (NYS) for two years and this was in 1988 and 1989. The two years following that she took on a secretarial course at certificate level at the Seychelles Polytechnic School of Business Studies after which she started work as secretary at the Long island prison. She spent six years in that post.

In 1998 she moved to Anse Royale to take the post of assistant administrative officer before being offered the post of the then outgoing district administrator a few months later.

Recalling her time at the NYS, Mrs Lemiel said among the subjects she enjoyed doing and in which she scored high grades was political science but of course she insisted that this did not mean that she had an interest in politics at that time.

In the late 90s she joined the Anse Aux Pins Women's League together with the likes of Sylvia Stravens, Marie Nella Azemia and others where they organised different activities for women and visited sick people in their homes.

“At that time I was only taking part as a volunteer, giving my time and doing what I did from the bottom of my heart and enjoying it as well but politics was not part of it,” Mrs Lemiel said.

But her work commitments prevented her from continuing with the women’s movements.

Increasing involvement in politics

As the district administrator for Anse Royale, she stayed in that post for eight years.

“During that time, I worked with my heart for everyone in the district without considering political affiliations, religion... During my tenure in office as DA, Anse Royale made success whereby we came out as Best Overall District in 2009. Anse Royale was recognised for the special effort it made in managing its budget, for its leadership, for its community life programmes, to name a few of those achievements,” Mrs Lemiel explained.

In April 2013, she was promoted as director general for community life programme and special events in the department of community development which is now local government.

In July 2015, she assumed the position of director general for administration, human resource and budget management at State House until she was asked by the Parti Lepep President at that time, President James Michel, to stand as a candidate for the National Assembly election.  

“It is very exciting though demanding but I enjoy working for the community. I am happy when I resolve issues that touch people directly,” she said.

Enjoying what she does, disappointments and satisfaction

As her duties involve a lot of consultations with different stakeholders, she admits that she enjoys her work.

“Accomplishing planned projects for my district and managing to solve someone's problems brings me great satisfaction and a simple thank you means a lot to me. But my greatest disappointment is ungratefulness of some people. Even though you've done so much for them, they are never satisfied. It is unfortunate that these kinds of disappointment will always exist,” Mrs Lemiel pointed out.

As elected MNA of a district she works in close collaboration with different ministries and agencies.

“Some ministries and agencies bring me great disappointment when they don't deliver for the constituents. They don't provide feedback and you must always chase after them. Various cases referred to some of them took too long before a decision is taken. Ministries and agencies need to be more proactive and stop dragging their feet. We need action from them,” she stressed.  

She deplores also the fact that often some of them assure you that things will be done in your district but still you end up waiting in vain while the constituents get frustrated thinking that you are not doing anything to resolve their issues. 

Other interests in life

“I've always had a passion for helping others, even going the extra mile to try to resolve problems and different kinds of issues the constituents face. Being an MNA is a very demanding job. I barely have time for my home and family. I don't think I will remain as MNA for a long time but I would like to nonetheless continue to work for the people in the community. With regard to party work, as long as I can and as long as they need my help I will continue to give my time,” Mrs Lemiel said.

In 2014 Mrs Lemiel followed a diploma course in district administration from the Guy Morel Institute and the UniSey. In October the following year she enrolled with ESAMI and the Guy Morel Institute and the UniSey on a Masters in Public Administration course. But unfortunately due to her participation in the 2016   National Assembly election she had to defer.

“In future, I plan to continue so that I complete my Masters in Public Administration course,” she said.

Family life, leisure

Married with a 15-year-old son, Mrs Lemiel strives to preserve her family life.

“It's very difficult but I try to manage my time as best as I can. I make sure that I attend church every Sunday, visit my son at school whenever needed. When I reach home after work, I make time to talk to him, we discuss our day and I look at his homework when he has. We often say our prayers together. I also make time to do my house chores after work and weekends. I am really grateful for the help I receive from my family. In the evenings whoever gets home first between my husband and I, we prepare dinner.”

Mrs Lemiel makes sure she puts time aside for fitness exercise to stay in shape as well as for meeting up with other relatives and family, something she says is very important and always cheers her up. 

She used to enjoy doing some gardening, but with work commitment this is no longer possible.

Watching TV news and her favourite TV series, keeping in touch with the goings on on social media are also things she does every day. 

“I'm not a very good cook but I can prepare a few dishes that one can enjoy.  Gardening used to be something I loved to do but with less time spent at home, I am not doing it now. Socialising with family is very important and whenever I meet with families and friends, it always cheers me up,” she said. 

To her constituents Mrs Lemiel has this to say: “Always come forward whenever there's a problem. Don't sit back and complain, problems won't solve with such an attitude. Try to help yourselves as well. As your MNA, I am available to assist in any way I can. I would also urge you to get more involved in the community life of the district. I urge the businessmen from our district to please come forward and assist us with the different projects we have through your CSR contributions.  We need to work together for the betterment and progress of our district which has been proposed to be the second town.”

By Marie-Anne Lepathy