Fikile Mbalula
Fikile Mbalula | |
|---|---|
 Mbalula in 2019 | |
| 17th Secretary-General of the African National Congress | |
| Assumed office 19 December 2022 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Maropene Ramokgopa Nomvula Mokonyane |
| Preceded by | Ace Magashule |
| Minister of Transport | |
| In office 30 May 2019 – 6 March 2023 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Sindisiwe Chikunga |
| Preceded by | Blade Nzimande |
| Succeeded by | Sindisiwe Chikunga |
| Minister of Police | |
| In office 31 March 2017 – 26 February 2018 | |
| President | Jacob Zuma |
| Preceded by | Nkosinathi Nhleko |
| Succeeded by | Bheki Cele |
| Minister of Sport and Recreation | |
| In office 1 November 2010 – 31 March 2017 | |
| President | Jacob Zuma |
| Preceded by | Makhenkesi Stofile |
| Succeeded by | Thembelani Nxesi |
| 8th President of the African National Congress Youth League | |
| In office August 2004 – April 2008 | |
| Deputy | Ruben Mohlaloga |
| Preceded by | Malusi Gigaba |
| Succeeded by | Julius Malema |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fikile April Mbalula 8 April 1971 Botshabelo, Free State, South Africa |
| Citizenship | South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Spouse | Nozuko Mbalula |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation |
|
Fikile April Mbalula (born 1 April 1971[1] in the Free State) is a South African politician who is the 17th Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC). A long-serving cabinet minister, he previously served as Minister of Sports and Recreation from 2010 to 2017, as Minister of Police from 2017 to 2018 and as Minister of Transport between 2019 and 2023. Mbalula is a former leader of the African National Congress Youth League.[2] Mbalula also serves as the head of elections for the African National Congress.
Mbalula was elected Secretary-General of the ANC at the 55th National Conference of the African National Congress in December 2022.[3]
Career
Mbalula was appointed Deputy Minister of Police in the cabinet of Jacob Zuma in May 2009 and later became the Minister of Sport and Recreation after President Zuma changed his cabinet. On 31 March 2017, following a controversial reshuffling in the cabinet, Mbalula was appointed as Minister of Police taking over from Nathi Nhleko[4] after lobbying from the ANC Youth League[5][6] and possibly as a reward for loyalty towards Zuma,[7] according to media speculation.
In the 2009 general elections he was the manager of the ANC election campaign, which was considered highly successful.[8]
Mbalula was elected to the ANC NEC at the party's Polokwane conference in December 2007 in 15th place, measured by the number of votes.[9] He subsequently retired as president of the ANC Youth League of which, at age 36, he was no longer eligible to be a member.[10]
Mbalula was elected president of the ANC Youth League in August 2004, having previously held the post of secretary general.[11]
Mbalula has been credited with installing South African President Thabo Mbeki in that position, and for later deposing him as head of the ANC.[12] His support has also been described as key in gaining Zuma the ANC presidency in a hard-fought race with Mbeki.[13]
He also supported the candidacy of Julius Malema to succeed him as head of the Youth League in what was seen as a move to ensure continuing League support for Zuma.[14]
In May 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mbalula to the post of Minister of Transport, succeeding Blade Nzimande.[15]
Mbalula was elected as Secretary-General of the ANC at the party's 55th National Conference in December 2022; he replaced Ace Magashule, who was suspended in May 2021.[16] His position as Secretary-General required that Mbalula be at Luthuli House full-time which meant that he would have to resign from government and parliament.[17] In a cabinet reshuffle on 6 March 2023, Deputy Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga was appointed to succeed Mbalula as Transport Minister.[18] Mbalula resigned from parliament on the same day.[19]
References
- ^ "Profile information". Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ Sowetan Live (2008). "Mbalula goes to the mountain". Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "Ramaphosa wins by outright majority". Moneyweb. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ New Cabinet – full appointments Archived May 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine News24
- ^ ANCYL wants its cadres in top posts[permanent dead link] Sowetan
- ^ Speculation about Zuma's cabinet Archived 2009-05-13 at the Wayback Machine News24
- ^ Zuma's Cabinet: Who's in? Archived 2009-05-10 at the Wayback Machine News24
- ^ Slick party machinery wins the day Business Day
- ^ Meet Jacob Zuma's A-team IOL
- ^ ANCYL president to retire at 36 Archived 2008-04-08 at the Wayback Machine News24
- ^ ANC Youth League calls on members to put country first[permanent dead link] SABC
- ^ Zuma's NWC vs Mbeki's cabinet Independent Online
- ^ Zuma backers urge new direction News.com.au
- ^ Malema elected as new ANCYL leader Mail & Guardian
- ^ New Minister of Transport: What should Fikile Mbalula focus on to improve road safety?. Retrieved on 11 June 2019.
- ^ Gerber, Jan. "WATCH | Cyril Ramaphosa wins second term as ANC president". News24. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ "Cabinet reshuffle is coming". BusinessTECH. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ Khumalo, Juniour. "Two new ministries as Ramaphosa introduces Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the electricity minister". News24. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ "Mbalula quits parliament to focus on his role as ANC SG". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 16 March 2023.