Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi (born 8 May 1978) is a South African politician who is the Minister of Human Settlements and a Member of the National Assembly for the African National Congress (ANC). She is also the current head of the African National Congress's economic transformation subcommittee in the national executive committee (NEC). She was the Minister of Energy in 2017, the Minister of Communications from 2017 to 2018, the Minister of Science and Technology from 2018 to 2019, and the Minister of Tourism from 2019 to 2021.
Mmamoloko Kubayi | |
|---|---|
 Kubayi in 2017 | |
| Minister of Human Settlements | |
| Assumed office 5 August 2021 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Preceded by | Lindiwe Sisulu (Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation) |
| Acting Minister of Health | |
| In office 9 June 2021 – 5 August 2021 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Joe Phaahla |
| Preceded by | Zweli Mkhize |
| Succeeded by | Joe Phaahla |
| Minister of Tourism | |
| In office 30 May 2019 – 5 August 2021 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Fish Mahlalela |
| Preceded by | Derek Hanekom |
| Succeeded by | Lindiwe Sisulu |
| Minister of Science and Technology | |
| In office 27 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi |
| Preceded by | Naledi Pandor |
| Succeeded by | Position dissolved |
| Minister of Communications | |
| In office 17 October 2017 – 26 February 2018 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa Jacob Zuma |
| Deputy | Thandi Mahambehlala |
| Preceded by | Ayanda Dlodlo |
| Succeeded by | Nomvula Mokonyane |
| Minister of Energy | |
| In office 31 March 2017 – 17 October 2017 | |
| President | Jacob Zuma |
| Deputy | Thembi Majola |
| Preceded by | Tina Joemat-Pettersson |
| Succeeded by | David Mahlobo |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2009 | |
| Constituency | Soweto |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi 8 May 1978 Soweto, South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Spouse |
Joel Sihle Ngubane
(m. 2017; div. 2021) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Soweto, South Africa |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
Early life, education and career
editMmamoloko Kubayi was born and raised in Soweto. She and her family lived in a shack. Her mother was a domestic worker and an African National Congress supporter. Kubayi became pregnant at the age of 17 and gave birth to a son. Despite challenges, she matriculated from Thusa-Setjhaba Secondary School in 1997 as the school's top achiever and subsequently became involved in student politics. She attended the Vista University's Soweto campus and graduated with a BA Degree in Psychology and Sociology in 2000. She achieved a Project Management Diploma from Damelin in 2002.[1]
Kubayi was first employed as a Community Developer in the non-governmental sector. She was soon employed at First National Bank as a Skills Development Specialist, and, later on, found employment in the Business Banking Division at Nedbank. She soon worked in the public sector as a Skills Development Facilitator at the National Health Laboratory Services.[1]
In 2015, she achieved a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of the Witwatersrand.[2]
Political career and activism
editKubayi, while still in Vista University, joined the ANC Youth League and was elected to the university's SRC. After working at the National Health Laboratory Services, she briefly became a director in the Office of the then-Deputy President of South Africa, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.[1][3]
In 2006, she was elected an ANC PR Councillor of the City of Johannesburg and became the chairperson of the municipality's Portfolio Committee on Transport. At that exact time, she also served as a Provincial Executive Council (PEC) member of the ANC Youth League in Gauteng and soon became the Deputy Provincial Secretary of the ANCYL.[1][3]
Kubayi was elected a Member of Parliament in 2009. She then worked as the Parliamentary Counsellor to the newly appointed Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe.[3]
In her capacity as an MP, she has served as a Whip of the Parliamentary Committees on Basic and Higher Education and Training, Private Members’ Legislative Proposals and Petitions. She was also acting Deputy Chief Whip of the ANC Caucus and a member of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, the Rules Committee and the Programming Committee. Most recently, she served as chairperson of both the Telecommunications and Postal Services Portfolio Committees.[3]
In March 2017, President Jacob Zuma appointed her as the new Minister of Energy. She succeeded Tina Joemat-Pettersson. Her appointment was seen as an advancement for the implementation of the controversial nuclear deal.[4][5][6]
She briefly served until October 2017 when she was named Minister of Communications.[7] In February 2018, newly appointed President Cyril Ramaphosa announced her as Minister of Science and Technology.[8]
Following the May 2019 elections, Kubayi was appointed Minister of Tourism, succeeding Derek Hanekom.[9] In June 2021, she was appointed acting minister of health after Zweli Mkhize was placed on leave over corruption allegations.[10]
During a cabinet reshuffle on 5 August 2021, Kubayi was appointed as Minister of Human Settlements by president Ramaphosa.[11] She was reappointed in this position after the 2024 election, and was sworn in again on 3 July 2024.[12]
Personal life
editShe married Joel Sihle Ngubane on 16 September 2017 and separated in April 2021[13] They later finalised their divorce.
References
edit- ^ a b c d Blignaut, Charl (17 December 2018). "Kubayi-Ngubane: From pregnant teen to political powerhouse". News24. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ "Ramaphosa names Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane as South Africa's new Tourism Minister". voyagesafriq. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Introducing the executives Cyril Ramaphosa has chosen to serve SA". BusinessLIVE. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- ^ Davis, Gaye (31 March 2017). "Rise and rise: New energy minister marks one of Zuma's biggest promotions". EWN. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ "Zuma names 10 new ministers, 10 new deputies". IOL. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ "#CabinetReshuffle: Meet your new cabinet ministers". IOL. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ "BREAKING: Zuma reshuffles Cabinet". News24. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ New deputy president, finance minister announced in major Cabinet reshuffle, Mail & Guardian, 26 February 2018. Retrieved on 18 August 2019.
- ^ Nicolson, Greg. Ramaphosa cuts Cabinet from 36 to 28 ministers, half of whom are women, The Daily Maverick, 29 May 2019. Retrieved on 18 August 2019.
- ^ Dludla, Nqobile (8 June 2021). "South Africa's health minister put on special leave over graft allegations". Reuters. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ "Cabinet reshuffle: Meet your new ministers of health, defence and in the presidency". News24. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ "Historic day for SA as government of national unity ministers take oath of office". Daily Maverick. 3 July 2024. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ Husband’s old R11m tender haunts minister, City Press, 11 March 2019. Retrieved on 18 August 2019.
External links
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