Babalo Madikizela is a South African urban planner and politician who served as the Eastern Cape MEC for Public Works from May 2019 to July 2022 and as a Member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature from November 2018 to August 2022. Madikizela served as the provincial treasurer of the African National Congress (ANC) from October 2017 to May 2022.

Babalo Madikizela
Eastern Cape MEC for Public Works
In office
29 May 2019 – 29 July 2022
PremierOscar Mabuyane
Preceded byPemmy Majodina
Succeeded byXolile Nqatha (acting)
Ntombovuyo Nkopane
Eastern Cape MEC for Human Settlements
In office
21 November 2018 – 29 May 2019
PremierPhumulo Masualle
Preceded byMlungisi Mvoko
Succeeded byNonkqubela Pieters
Member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
In office
13 November 2018 – 2 August 2022
Personal details
Born
Babalo Madikizela

Mbizana, Cape Province, South Africa
Political partyAfrican National Congress
Alma materML Sultan Technikon
ProfessionPolitician
Urban planner

Early life and education edit

Madikizela was born in village of Mbhongweni, Mbizana in the former Transkei, which became the northeastern part the Eastern Cape in 1994. He attended St. John's College from which he matriculated. He obtained a national diploma in town and regional planning from the ML Sultan Technikon, now the Durban University of Technology.[1]

Career edit

Madikizela started his career as a planner for the Municipal Mentoring Programme (MMP) and later found employment as a housing manager at the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality. He then worked for a fast-food restaurant in Mthatha and soon after started working in the construction industry.[1]

Madikizela joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) at a young age. He served on the youth league's regional and provincial structures. He proceeded to serve on an ANC regional structure as an additional member and was later elected treasurer.[1]

On 1 October 2017, Madikizela was elected provincial treasurer of the ANC.[2][3] He was deployed to the provincial legislature in November 2018 and took office as an MPL on 13 November.[4][5] On 18 November, premier Phumulo Masualle appointed Madikizela as MEC for Human Settlements.[6] He assumed office on 21 November.

Following the May 2019 provincial election, premier Oscar Mabuyane appointed Madikizela as the Member of the Executive Council for Public Works.[7][8] After his swearing-in, he availed himself for a lifestyle audit as he was accused of fraud and corruption by businessman Lonwabo Bam. Madikizela denied the allegations.[9]

In May 2022, Madikizela challenged Oscar Mabuyane for provincial chairperson of the ANC in the Eastern Cape. He lost to Mabuyane, receiving 662 votes to Mabuyane's 812 votes. Zolile Williams replaced him as provincial treasurer.[10] After his defeat, Madikizela announced that he would be resigning from the provincial government, and vacated his office on 29 July 2022.[11] He said that he would remain Member of the Provincial Legislature.[12] Premier Mabuyane appointed Xolile Nqatha as the acting MEC for the portfolio until a permanent replacement had been appointed.[13] Madikizela resigned from the Provincial Legislature on 2 August 2022.[14] On 16 August, Ntombovuyo Nkopane became the new MEC for Public Works.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Political Profile of MEC Hon Babalo Madikizela". ecdpw.gov.za. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  2. ^ Tandwa, Lizeka (1 October 2017). "Oscar Mabuyane elected ANC Eastern Cape chair". News24. East London. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  3. ^ "#ANCECConference: Court challenge looms after Mabuyane wins election". IOL. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  4. ^ George, Zine (9 November 2018). "ANC to deploy Madikizela as MPL". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  5. ^ Ford, Simthandile (13 November 2018). "Mbizana-born ANC leader joins Bhisho legislature". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  6. ^ "EC premier Masualle appoints Mlungisi Mvoko as education MEC". The Citizen. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Meet Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane's new cabinet". IOL. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  8. ^ Tandwa, Lizeka (28 May 2019). "Mabuyane announces Eastern Cape cabinet". News24. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  9. ^ Capa, Siyamtanda (30 May 2019). "Babalo Madikizela rejects fraud allegations". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  10. ^ Mahlati, Jason Felix and Zintle. "Oscar Mabuyane re-elected Eastern Cape ANC chairperson". News24. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  11. ^ Madia, Tshidi. "Babalo Madikizela officially resigns as EC public works MEC". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Outgoing MEC Madikizela to stay on in legislature for now". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  13. ^ "BREAKING | Mabuyane appoints Nqatha as caretaker public works MEC after Madikizela's exit". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  14. ^ Stockenstroom, Somaya (2 August 2022). "Madikizela quits Eastern Cape legislature". Sunday World. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  15. ^ Plaatjies, Compiled by Razaan. "Premier Oscar Mabuyane reshuffles Eastern Cape cabinet". News24. Retrieved 16 August 2022.

External links edit