Summary
Sefora Hixsonia "Sisi" Ntombela (born 16 April 1957[citation needed]) is a South African politician who was the 6th Premier of the Free State and a Member of the Free State Provincial Legislature for the African National Congress. She previously served as the Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements and as MEC for Social Development. Ntombela was also the Deputy President of the African National Congress Women's League and the treasurer of the Free State ANC.[1]
Sisi Ntombela | |
|---|---|
 Ntombela in 2022 | |
| 6th Premier of the Free State | |
| In office 27 March 2018 – 21 February 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Ace Magashule |
| Succeeded by | Mxolisi Dukwana |
| Member of the Free State Executive Council for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements | |
| In office 3 October 2016 – 27 March 2018 | |
| Premier | Ace Magashule |
| Preceded by | Olly Mlamleli |
| Succeeded by | Oupa Khoabane |
| Member of the Free State Executive Council for Social Development | |
| In office 11 May 2009 – 3 October 2016 | |
| Premier | Ace Magashule |
| Preceded by | Mantsheng Tsopo |
| Succeeded by | Limakatso Mahasa |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| In office 2001–2004 | |
| Member of the Free State Provincial Legislature | |
| In office 2004 – 21 February 2023 | |
| In office 1999–2001 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 April 1957[citation needed] Tweeling, Free State, South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Spouse | Madala Ntombela |
| Profession | Politician |
Early life and career edit
One of six children, Sefora Hixsonia Ntombela was born in the small farming town of Tweeling in the Free State. She was given the nickname of "Sisi" at a young age. She attended the Tweeling Combine School and matriculated from Kganyeng Secondary School. She went on to study at Bonamelo Training College and returned to the Tweeling Combine School as a teacher.
Due to Apartheid and the tense political situation at the time, she secretly taught her pupils about Nelson Mandela. One of the pupils was the school principal's child and reported her for the secret lessons. She left the teaching profession due to the matter.[2]
Political career edit
Ntombela worked for the Department of Health as a family planner and youth consultant.[3]
Later on, Ntombela became a member of the African National Congress and was elected the chairperson of the Tweeling African National Congress Women's League branch. She soon became Regional Chairperson. Following the 1994 elections, Ntombela was elected mayor of the Tweeling municipality and served in the position until her election to the Free State Provincial Legislature in 1999. She remained in the legislature until she was appointed to the National Assembly in 2001. She returned to the provincial legislature in 2004 and was named as chairperson of both the Social Development and Health Portfolio Committees.[4]
In May 2009, newly elected Free State Premier Ace Magashule announced that Ntombela would take up the post of MEC for Social Development.[5] Ntombela was elected Deputy President of the African National Congress Women's League in August 2015.[6] Magashule reshuffled his Executive Council in October 2016 and appointed Ntombela to the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements portfolio of the Executive Council.[7][8]
Premiership edit
In March 2018, Ntombela was selected by the African National Congress to succeed Ace Magashule as Premier of the Free State. She took office on 27 March 2018 and became the fourth female Premier of the province. She was elected Treasurer of the Free State ANC branch in May 2018.[9][10][11] Following the May 2019 elections, the African National Congress announced that it had retained Ntombela in her position as Premier of the Free State. She was elected to a full term when the legislature reconvened on 22 May 2019.[12][13][14]
At the ANC's provincial conference held in January 2023, Ntombela was defeated by the former convenor of the interim provincial committee (IPC) and MEC in her cabinet Mxolisi Dukwana in the election for the provincial chairperson of the party.[15] She also failed to gain election to the Provincial Executive Committee.[16] On 5 February 2023, Daily Maverick had reported that the newly elected ANC PEC had taken the decision to recall Ntombela as premier.[17] On 21 February 2023, Ntombela tendered her resignation after consultations with the ANC's national leadership. Dukwana succeeded her as premier.[18]
Personal life edit
Ntombela is married to ANC Member of Parliament, Madala Ntombela.[19] She tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020.[20]
References edit
- ^ Sefora Hixsonia Ntombela. Retrieved on 29 April 2019.
- ^ Magashule apparently picked Ntombela to keep his grip on Free State. Retrieved on 29 April 2019.
- ^ "On the couch with...Sisi Ntombela | Dumelang News". www.dumelangnews.co.za. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ Premier takes over. Retrieved on 29 April 2019.
- ^ "Magashule chooses four women for council". IOL. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- ^ ANCWL nominates candidates for its top five positions. Retrieved on 29 April 2019.
- ^ Magashule chooses four women for council. Retrieved on 29 April 2019.
- ^ Ace Magashule reshuffles the Free State's cabinet, BusinessLIVE. Retrieved on 29 April 2019.
- ^ "ANC chooses women to be next premiers of Free State, Mpumalanga". News24. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ OFM. "#BreakingNews: Sisi Ntombela announced as new FS Premier". OFM. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ New leadership elected for ANC in the Free State. Retrieved on 21 July 2019.
- ^ ANC announces premier candidates. Retrieved on 13 May 2019.
- ^ Meet SA's newly elected premiers. Retrieved on 22 May 2019.
- ^ Setena, Teboho (15 May 2019). "Ntombela remains in the hot seat". News24. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ Khumalo, Juniour. "Mxolisi Dukwana emerges as ANC Free State chair after hotly-contested election". News24. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Mdakane, Nompilo Zulu, Bongani (29 January 2023). "Ntombela out, Dukwana to take over". Sunday World. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Njilo, Nonkululeko (5 February 2023). "PROVINCIAL SHUFFLE: Free State ANC axes premier Sisi Ntombela, Mangaung mayor and several MECs". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Dukwana ANC's preferred Free State premier candidate, says Mbalula". News24. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ Stone, Setumo (18 March 2018). "Magashule apparently picked Ntombela to keep his grip on Free State". City Press. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ Naidoo, Jehran (14 October 2020). "Free State premier, health MEC test positive for Covid-19". Diamond Fields Advertiser. Retrieved 15 October 2020.