Ndipiwe Olayi was born in Cape Town and grew up between Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Raised in Eersterivier, a community impacted by gang violence, drug abuse, and high youth unemployment, Ndipiwe’s mother worked hard to ensure he had a better future. She ensured he attended a prestigious school in Stellenbosch, where he excelled in academics and played high school rugby.
He first got involved in politics by assisting his mother with organizing community meetings and encouraging political participation. His passion for leadership grew when he was elected SRC President at Damelin College in 2014 and soon joined the DA Youth.
In 2016, Ndipiwe was elected as a councillor and served as DA Youth Branch Treasurer, Constituency Youth Chairperson, and later DA Youth Regional Chairperson (2017), DA Youth Provincial Chairperson (2018), and DA Youth Federal Chairperson (2022). Currently, he serves as the DA Youth Federal Leader and MMC for Parks, Public Open Spaces, and Cemeteries in Stellenbosch Municipality.
Ndipiwe has been part of several key campaigns, including #SCRAPNYDA and #DATA4ALL. As an SRC President, he delivered Wi-Fi access to the entire campus within his first 100 days in office. He was also a driving force behind the establishment of a Youth Council in Stellenbosch.
In government, Ndipiwe focuses on enhancing public open spaces to build social cohesion, beautify communities, and improve dignity. He is also working on policies to address indigent burials. Ndipiwe is committed to positioning the DA Youth at the forefront of youth politics in South Africa.