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The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal swore in four out of five new MECs this morning after announcing their names in a cabinet reshuffle yesterday.
READ:4 MECs gone in KZN cabinet 'purge'
Here is what you need to know about them:
Bongi Sithole-Moloi: Sport, arts and culture
The controversial former uMgungundlovu District Municipality mayor was reportedly axed from her position on charges of maladministration and corruption in 2008.
In 2009 she was reportedly appointed as the dispute resolution manager in former MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu’s economic development department. She is the wife of businessman Lucky Moloi.
Sihle Zikalala: Economic development
Born in Newcastle, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Zikalala became a full-time organiser for the ANC in 1990, when he was 17.
In 1996 he became a councillor serving in the Ilembe District. He holds a BA in communication science. He served as the secretary general of the ANC Youth League and later became the provincial deputy secretary of the ANC.
He ascended to provincial secretary. In November last year he was elected the ANC chairperson when he trumped former premier Senzo Mchunu.
He married his wife Neli, who shares a name with his mother, on April 22, 1996.
Mthandeni Dlungwane: Education
He is a member of KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial legislature. According to the legislature’s website, he has been a member since 2014.
The Witness reports that he rose through the ranks when he was elected to the regional executive committee in 1998.
He once served as the ANC’s Moses Mabhida region chairperson, taking up a position previously held by current secretary general, Super Zuma.
He was part of former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema’s disbanded provincial executive committee. Malema is now leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters.
Mxolisi Kaunda: Transport
He currently sits on the transport portfolio committee and is a member of the provincial executive committee.
Themba Mthembu: Agriculture and rural development
He is currently the South African Communist Party’s provincial secretary. He also sits on the agriculture portfolio committee. Mthembu finally accepted the MEC position after a meeting between the ANC and SACP.
While his name was announced, Mthembu was a no-show during the swearing in of his four new colleagues this morning.
He had asked Premier Willies Mchunu to delay his swearing in because he was apparently told about the deployment at the last minute.
Mthembu was expected to be sworn in tomorrow.
ANC deputy provincial secretary Mluleki Ndobe said that Mthembu’s appointment would strengthen the unity of the alliance.
The new MECs replace Ntombikayise Sabhidla-Saphetha (sport, arts and culture), Mike Mabuyakhulu (economic development), Peggy Nkonyeni (education) and Cyril Xaba (agriculture and rural development).
They were sworn in by KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Judge President Mjabuliseni Madondo.
Mabuyakhulu and Nkonyeni resigned from the legislature following the reshuffle. – News24
