The singing Naalakkersuisoq

The well-known singer from Qeqertarsuaq, 40-year-old Maritha Broberg, Atassut, was on April 14th appointed as Naalakkersuisoq for Social Affairs, Labour Market, Families and Home Affairs.

She has thus taken on a great political responsibility. Self-confidence shines out of her and even though she is entering the big political stage for the first time, she says with a firm voice that she will do her best to solve the task in the best possible way.

Maritha Broberg's late grandfather David Broberg was for many years a member of the National Council and later the municipal council of the then Qeqertarsuup Municipality. And this is where her interest in politics originated, says her mother, Sofie Broberg, who is the regional manager in Pilersuisoq, and her father, Kalé Mølgaard, who is a fisherman and trapper, both of whom live in Qeqertarsuaq.

The singer becomes a politician

Apart from a period when she traveled around in connection with her studies, Maritha Broberg has lived in Qeqertarsuaq. She has two daughters who still live in Qeqertarsuaq, but who will follow her to Nuuk at some point, says her mother.

The new Naalakkersuisoq is best known in the music world throughout the country, but now she has also become a political profile at Naalakkersuisut. In November last year, Bentiaraq Ottosen, Atassut, resigned as Naalakkersuisoq for Social Affairs, Labour Market, Families and Internal Affairs. Since then, Atassut has nominated Maritha Broberg to become a member of Naalakkersuisut. Against this background, she was granted leave from the municipal council of Qeqertalik Municipality in early February.

In the municipal elections last year, she received 86 personal votes and was elected to the municipal council of Qeqertalik Municipality for the first time, but was not elected to Inatsisartut. She was a member of Atassut's main board and executive committee, which is why she already has political experience before she joined the municipal council and Naalakkersuisut.

Following in her grandfather's footsteps

Maritha Broberg grew up with a close relationship with her grandparents on both her father's and mother's sides.

Sofie Broberg says that Maritha's interest in politics began with her grandfather David Broberg, who, in addition to his political activities, was a fisherman and trapper.

- She has been very interested in politics since childhood, and I think it is because of her grandfather David Broberg, who was involved in politics for many years.

- But her primary school teacher also said that Maritha would probably become a politician and maybe even a Greenlander in the future, she says.

According to Sofie Broberg, Maritha Broberg already had great self-confidence as a child and worked hard to achieve her goals.

A surprising news

In December last year, Maritha Broberg was nominated for the position of member of the Greenlanders' Parliament, and it came as a surprise to her parents.

- We were of course surprised when we first heard about it, but we felt that she had the strength to take on this big challenge, says Sofie Broberg.

- I know that it is not possible to learn all the big and difficult tasks in the department from one day to the next, but we are sure that Maritha will quickly settle into her role as Naalakkersuisoq, because she has a strong motivation, says Kalé Mølgaard.

The parents say that the residents of Qeqertarsuaq welcomed Maritha Broberg's nomination for the position of new minister.

A moving day

The white house on top of a hill is Maritha Broberg's childhood home, and that is where her parents still live. April 14 was a holiday for the Broberg family, which is why the flag was raised.

It was the day that four new members of Naalakkersuisut, including Maritha Broberg herself, were installed. It was a special day for her parents. Kalé Mølgaard was at home while her mother was at work, as they both watched the installation eagerly on TV.

- I shed tears of joy when my daughter was installed as Naalakkersuisut. My thoughts went to her late grandparents, who would undoubtedly be very happy and proud of her.

- It is a very important department that Maritha has been entrusted with, but with her great motivation and ability to learn, I know she will do well in her new role, says Kalé Mølgaard.

- She wants to do everything she can to help her fellow human beings in need, but not many people know about it because she feels that it is none of other people's business.

- It is a big obligation to have such a big responsibility, but political work is not new to Maritha, and I am sure that she will do well, says Sofie Borberg.

To the many who have congratulated Maritha Broberg's parents on her entry into Naalakkersuisut, Sofie Broberg would like to take this opportunity to say thank you and wish her colleagues in Inatsisartut and Naalakkersuisut good work in the future.

A warm welcome

When Maritha Broberg was nominated for the position of Naalakkersuisoq Minister for Social Affairs, Labour Market, Families and Internal Affairs, she wanted to assess the matter with her immediate family.

- The work of the Ministry has always been a matter of the heart for me, and so has the Atassut board. That is why I decided to take the chance after discussing the matter with my family.

- I was eagerly waiting for the Inatsisartut to vote on the new members of Naalakkersuisut.

- It was of course a very emotional experience to become a member of Naalakkersuisut. Since then, I have met officials in the Ministry for the first time, and I have been warmly welcomed, which has been reassuring, says Maritha Borberg.

According to Maritha Broberg, this is the biggest responsibility she has ever taken on, but she also emphasizes that she has the courage to take on the role fully.

From music to politics

Maritha Broberg and her band regularly give concerts in different cities. But this time it is anything but music that she will be doing.

Music is an integral part of my life. Singing and music are healthy and give me lots of energy, so I will not stop singing. But the time has also come to try something else in life, says the famous singer. It is a well-known phenomenon that party offices are filled with singing and music, and Maritha Broberg is looking forward to being part of these joint events.