Executive Council of KwaZulu-Natal

The Executive Council of KwaZulu-Natal is the cabinet of the executive branch of the provincial government in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Members of the Executive Council (MECs) are appointed from among the members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, an office held since May 2024 by Thami Ntuli of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

Mkhize premiership: 2009–2013

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After his election in the 2009 general election, Premier Zweli Mkhize announced his new Executive Council on 11 May 2009.[1] Weeks afterwards, Bheki Cele resigned as MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, in order to become National Police Commissioner. On 29 July, Mkhize announced that Cele would be replaced by Willies Mchunu, and that Nomusa Dube-Ncube would in turn take over Mchunu's portfolio, Local Government and Traditional Affairs.[2] In November 2011, Mkhize announced a reshuffle of his cabinet which affected four portfolios.[3]

KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council 2009–2013
Post Member Term Party
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Zweli Mkhize 2009 2013 ANC
MEC for Finance Ina Cronje 2009 2013 ANC
MEC for Health Sibongiseni Dhlomo 2009 2013 ANC
MEC for Education Senzo Mchunu 2009 2013 ANC
MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Mike Mabuyakhulu 2009 2013 ANC
MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development Meshack Radebe 2011 2013 ANC
Lydia Johnson 2009 2011 ANC
MEC for Human Settlement and Public Works Ravi Pillay 2011 2013 ANC
Maggie Govender 2009 2011 ANC
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Willies Mchunu 2009 2013 ANC
Bheki Cele 2009 2009 ANC
MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube 2009 2013 ANC
Willies Mchunu 2009 2009 ANC
MEC for Social Development Weziwe Thusi 2011 2013 ANC
Meshack Radebe 2009 2011 ANC
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha 2011 2013 ANC
Weziwe Thusi 2009 2011 ANC

Senzo Mchunu premiership: 2013–2016

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When Senzo Mchunu succeeded Zweli Mkhize as Premier in September 2013, he retained Mkhize's Executive Council but appointed Peggy Nkonyeni to replace himself as MEC for Education.[4] Following the next general election in May 2014, in which Mchunu was elected to a full term as Premier, he again largely preserved the composition of the Executive Council; he made only two new appointments, replacing the MEC for Finance and MEC for Agriculture. He also effected a minor restructuring of the Executive Council, transferring environmental affairs from the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio to the Economic Development and Tourism portfolio.[5][6]

KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council 2013–2016
Post Member Term Party
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Senzo Mchunu 2013 2016 ANC
MEC for Finance Belinda Scott 2014 2016 ANC
Ina Cronje 2013 2014 ANC
MEC for Health Sibongiseni Dhlomo 2013 2016 ANC
MEC for Education Peggy Nkonyeni 2013 2016 ANC
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Mike Mabuyakhulu 2014 2016 ANC
MEC for Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Mike Mabuyakhulu 2013 2014 ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Cyril Xaba 2014 2016 ANC
MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development Meshack Radebe 2013 2014 ANC
MEC for Human Settlement and Public Works Ravi Pillay 2013 2016 ANC
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Willies Mchunu 2013 2016 ANC
MEC for Cooperative and Traditional Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube 2013 2016 ANC
MEC for Social Development Weziwe Thusi 2013 2016 ANC
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha 2013 2016 ANC

Willies Mchunu premiership: 2016–2019

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Willies Mchunu replaced Senzo Mchunu as Premier in May 2016 and the following month he announced a reshuffle of the Executive Council, in which he fired four MECs and appointed Mxolisi Kaunda to take over his own former portfolio as MEC for Transport and Community Safety.[7] Senzo Mchunu's supporters described the reshuffle as a purge of politicians who had supported Senzo Mchunu's failed bid to gain re-election as Provincial Chairperson of the governing ANC.[7]

KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council 2016–2019
Post Member Term Party
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Willies Mchunu 2016 2019 ANC
MEC for Finance Belinda Scott 2016 2019 ANC
MEC for Health Sibongiseni Dhlomo 2016 2019 ANC
MEC for Education Mthandeni Dlungwana 2016 2019 ANC
Peggy Nkonyeni 2016 2016 ANC
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Sihle Zikalala 2016 2019 ANC
Mike Mabuyakhulu 2016 2016 ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Themba Mthembu 2016 2019 ANC
Cyril Xaba 2016 2016 ANC
MEC for Human Settlement and Public Works Ravi Pillay 2016 2019 ANC
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mxolisi Kaunda 2016 2019 ANC
MEC for Cooperative and Traditional Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube 2016 2019 ANC
MEC for Social Development Weziwe Thusi 2016 2019 ANC
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation Bongi Sithole-Moloi 2016 2019 ANC
Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha 2016 2016 ANC

Zikalala premiership: 2019–2022

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Pursuant to the May 2019 general election, Sihle Zikalala was elected Premier and announced his new Executive Council.[8] On 11 September 2019, he appointed Bheki Ntuli as MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison; Ntuli succeeded Mxolisi Kaunda, who had left the provincial government to become Mayor of eThekwini.[9] On 17 November 2020, Zikalala announced that Nomusa Dube-Ncube, formerly the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, had swopped portfolios with Ravi Pillay, formerly the MEC for Finance.[10] In January 2021, Ntuli died; he was replaced in March by Peggy Nkonyeni, formerly the MEC for Public Works and Human Settlement, who in turn was replaced by Jomo Sibiya.[11]

KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council 2019–2022
Post Member Term Party
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala 2019 2022 ANC
MEC for Finance Nomusa Dube-Ncube 2020 2022 ANC
Ravi Pillay 2019 2020 ANC
MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu 2019 2022 ANC
MEC for Education Kwazi Mshengu 2019 2022 ANC
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Ravi Pillay 2020 2022 ANC
Nomusa Dube-Ncube 2019 2020 ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Bongi Sithole-Moloi 2019 2022 ANC
MEC for Public Works and Human Settlement Jomo Sibiya 2021 2022 ANC
Peggy Nkonyeni 2019 2021 ANC
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Peggy Nkonyeni 2021 2022 ANC
Bheki Ntuli 2019 2021 ANC
Mxolisi Kaunda 2019 2019 ANC
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sipho Hlomuka 2019 2022 ANC
MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza 2019 2022 ANC
MEC for Arts and Culture, Sports and Recreation Hlengiwe Mavimbela 2019 2022 ANC

Dube-Ncube premiership: 2022–2024

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On 10 August 2022, Nomusa Dube-Ncube was elected Premier following Sihle Zikalala's resignation from the office; she announced her new Executive Council the following day, making several significant changes from Zikalala's cabinet.[12][13] In late January 2023, the ANC announced that Zikalala would resign from his position as MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in order to join the National Assembly;[14] Bongi Sithole-Moloi took over his position in the Executive Council a week later, and Sithole's former portfolio, Agriculture and Rural Development, was in turn filled by Super Zuma.[15] The Executive Council was reshuffled once again on 23 May 2023 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Amanda Mapena. The MEC for Public Works and Human Settlement Ntuthuko Mahlaba was appointed to succeed Mapena as the MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture while Sipho Nkosi joined the Executive Council and took over Mahlaba's position.[16]

KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council 2022–2024
Post Member Term Party
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube 2022 2024 ANC
MEC for Finance Peggy Nkonyeni 2022 2024 ANC
MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu 2022 2024 ANC
MEC for Education Mbali Frazer 2022 2024 ANC
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Siboniso Duma 2022 2024 ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Super Zuma 2022 2024 ANC
Bongi Sithole-Moloi 2022 2023 ANC
MEC for Public Works and Human Settlement Sipho Nkosi 2023 2024 ANC
Ntuthuko Mahlaba 2022 2023 ANC
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Sipho Hlomuka 2022 2024 ANC
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Bongi Sithole-Moloi 2023 2024 ANC
Sihle Zikalala 2022 2023 ANC
MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza 2022 2024 ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Ntuthuko Mahlaba 2023 2024 ANC
Amanda Mapena 2022 2023 ANC

Ntuli premiership: 2024–present

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No party won a majority of seats in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature in the 2024 provincial election. The African National Congress, previously the party's governing party, collapsed to third place while the newly established uMkhonto weSizwe won a plurality of seats in the legislature. The Inkatha Freedom Party won the second-most seats in the legislature and opted to form a "Provincial Government of Unity" with the ANC, the Democratic Alliance, and the National Freedom Party.[17] The IFP's Thami Ntuli was elected Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, while the ANC and the DA received the Speaker and Deputy Speaker position in the legislature.[18] On 18 June 2024, Ntuli announced his Executive Council comprising four IFP members, three ANC members, two DA members and one NFP member.[19]

KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council 2024
Post Member Term Party
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Thami Ntuli 2024 Incumbent IFP
MEC for Finance Francois Rodgers 2024 Incumbent DA
MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu 2024 Incumbent ANC
MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka 2024 Incumbent ANC
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Musa Zondi 2024 Incumbent IFP
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa 2024 Incumbent IFP
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma 2024 Incumbent ANC
MEC for Social Development Mbali Shinga 2024 Incumbent NFP
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi 2024 Incumbent IFP
MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure Martin Meyer 2024 Incumbent DA
MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Mntomuhle Khawula 2024 Incumbent IFP

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Statement by Dr Zweli Mkhize at his inauguration as the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal". South African Government. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  2. ^ "KwaZulu-Natal cabinet statement following its sitting in Pietermaritzburg". South African Government. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Changes to the KZN cabinet – Zweli Mkhize". Politicsweb. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Nkonyeni bags KZN education MEC position". The Mail & Guardian. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  5. ^ "The new KZN cabinet – Senzo Mchunu". Politicsweb. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  6. ^ Hans, Bongani (27 May 2014). "No place in KZN cabinet for Ina Cronjé". IOL. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b Harper, Paddy (6 June 2016). "4 MECs gone in KZN cabinet 'purge'". City Press. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Premier Sihle Zikalala announces his KZN cabinet". News24. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  9. ^ Mavuso, Sihle (11 September 2019). "New KZN Transport MEC assumes office on sad note after son's mysterious death". IOL. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Premier Sihle Zikalala on reconfiguration of Provincial Executive Council". South African Government. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  11. ^ Magubane, Thami (10 March 2021). "KZN Premier appoints new MEC for Transport following Bheki Ntuli's death". IOL. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube: Introduction of the new members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council". South African Government. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  13. ^ "KZN Premier Dube-Ncube announces new executive council". Polity. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Zikalala resigns as Cogta MEC". South Coast Herald. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  15. ^ Mavuso, Sihle (7 February 2023). "Former KZN ANC Provincial secretary Super Zuma gets cabinet post in provincial reshuffle". IOL. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  16. ^ Maliti, Soyiso. "Mini shuffle for KZN Cabinet as two new MECs announced". News24. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  17. ^ Singh, Orrin. "KZN Premier Thami Ntuli ready to hit the ground running". EWN. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  18. ^ Maliti, Soyiso. "COALITION NATION | Provincial government of unity installs IFP premier in KZN". News24. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  19. ^ Ludidi, Velani (18 June 2024). "New KZN Premier Thami Ntuli announces cabinet". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 5 July 2024.