Executive Council of the Free State

Provincial government in South Africa

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The Executive Council of the Free State is the cabinet of the executive branch of the provincial government in the South African province of the Free State. The Members of the Executive Council (MECs) are appointed from among the members of the Free State Provincial Legislature by the Premier of the Free State, an office held since May 2024 by Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae of the African National Congress (ANC).

## Direko premiership: 1999–2004

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This table is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Winkie Direko was elected as the Free State's third Premier in the 1999 general election. She reshuffled her Executive Council on 28 June 2001, firing three MECs: Tate Makgoe, Anna Buthelezi-Phori, and Casca Mokitlane.[1]

Free State Executive Council 1999–2004  Post  | Member  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Premier of the Free State | Winkie Direko | 1999  | 2004  | ANC
MEC for Finance | Zingile Dingani | 1999  | 2004  | ANC
MEC for Health | Mantsheng Tsopo | 1999  | 2004  | ANC
MEC for Education | Papi Kganare | 1999  | 2004  | ANC
MEC for Agriculture | Mann Oelrich | 2001  |  | ANC
Tate Makgoe | 1999  | 2001  | ANC
MEC for Tourism and Environmental and Economic Affairs | Sakhiwo Belot | 2001  | 2004  | ANC
Benny Kotsoane | 1999  | 2001  | ANC
MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport | Sekhopi Malebo |  |  | ANC
MEC for Local Government and Housing | Lechesa Tsenoli | 1999  | 2004  | ANC
MEC for Safety and Security | Benny Kotsoane | 2001  | 2004  | ANC
Casca Mokitlane | 1999  | 2001  | ANC
MEC for Social Development and Welfare | Beatrice Marshoff | 2001  | 2004  | ANC
Anna Buthelezi-Phori |  | 2001  | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology | Webster Mfebe | 1999  | 2004  | ANC

## Marshoff premiership: 2004–2009

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Beatrice Marshoff was elected Premier in the 2004 general elections; her new Executive Council was sworn in on 3 May 2004.[2] In April 2005, over the course of two weeks, Marshoff announced two wide-ranging reshuffles in which three MECs – Ace Magashule, Itumeleng Benny Kotsoane, and Benny Malakoane – were sacked and others changed portfolios.[3] In August 2007, in another reshuffle, Magashule was returned to the cabinet and another MEC, Playfair Morule, was removed; several other MECs also changed portfolios.[4]

In January 2008, Mxolisi Dukwana was appointed as MEC for Public Safety and Security and Mamiki Qabathe was appointed MEC for Agriculture.[5][6] In October that year, both changed portfolios, along with two other MECs, in a reshuffle affecting four portfolios but involving no sackings.[7] In February 2009, Dukwana additionally took on, in an acting capacity, the education portfolio, after Education MEC Casca Mokitlane resigned and defected from the ANC ahead of the 2009 general election.[8]

Free State Executive Council 2004–2009  Post  | Member  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Premier of the Free State | Beatrice Marshoff | 2004  | 2009  | ANC
MEC for Finance | Tate Makgoe | 2005  | 2009  | ANC
Playfair Morule | 2004  | 2005  | ANC
MEC for Health | Sakhiwo Belot | 2004  | 2009  | ANC
MEC for Education | Casca Mokitlane | 2007  | 2009  | ANC
Mantsheng Tsopo | 2004  | 2007  | ANC
MEC for Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs | Mxolisi Dukwana | 2008  | 2009  | ANC
Neo Masithela | 2005  | 2008  | ANC
Benny Malakoane | 2004  | 2005  | ANC
MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport | Seiso Mohai | 2004  | 2009  | ANC
MEC for Agriculture | Neo Masithela | 2008  | 2009  | ANC
Mamiki Qabathe | 2008  | 2008  | ANC
Susan Mnumzana | 2007  | 2008  | ANC
Casca Mokitlane | 2005  | 2007  | ANC
Ace Magashule | 2004  | 2005  | ANC
MEC for Local Government and Housing | Joel Mafereka | 2005  | 2009  | ANC
Benny Kotsoane | 2004  | 2005  | ANC
MEC for Public Safety, Security and Liaison | Ace Magashule | 2008  | 2009  | ANC
Mxolisi Dukwana | 2008  | 2008  | ANC
Zanele Dlungwana | 2007  | 2008  | ANC
Playfair Morule | 2005  | 2007  | ANC
Tate Makgoe | 2004  | 2005  | ANC
MEC for Social Development | Mantsheng Tsopo | 2007  | 2009  | ANC
Zanele Dlungwana | 2004  | 2007  | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture | Mamiki Qabathe | 2008  | 2009  | ANC
Ace Magashule | 2007  | 2008  | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology | Susan Mnumzana | 2005  | 2007  | ANC
Joel Mafereka | 2004  | 2005  | ANC

## Magashule premiership

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### First term: 2009–2014

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On 11 May 2009, following his election as Premier in the 2009 general election, Ace Magashule announced his new Executive Council, which included six new appointments; in addition, the names of four departments were changed.[9] In February 2011, Magashule announced a reshuffle in which four MECs changed portfolios and in which responsibility for rural development was moved from the public works portfolio to the agriculture portfolio.[10] In June of that year, he appointed Butana Komphela to replace Thabo Manyoni as MEC for Police, Roads and Transport; Manyoni had left the provincial government to become Mayor of Mangaung.[11]

Magashule effected two further reshuffles before the end of the provincial legislature's term. In February 2012, he fired Economic Development MEC Mxolisi Dukwana and replaced him with Mamiki Qabathe; Olly Mlamleli was appointed to the Executive Council to take over Qabathe's former portfolio.[12][13] In March 2013, Magashule fired Finance MEC Seiso Mohai, replacing him with Elzabe Rockman, and appointed Benny Malakoane to fill the vacancy in the health portfolio that had arisen after Fezi Ngumbentombi's death in December 2012; Qabathe also swopped portfolios with Msebenzi Zwane.[14][15]

Free State Executive Council 2009–2014  Post  | Member  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Premier of the Free State | Ace Magashule | 2009  | 2014  | ANC
MEC for Finance | Elzabe Rockman | 2013  | 2014  | ANC
Seiso Mohai | 2009  | 2013  | ANC
MEC for Health | Benny Malakoane | 2013  | 2014  | ANC
Fezi Ngumbentombi | 2011  | 2012  | ANC
Sisi Mabe | 2009  | 2011  | ANC
MEC for Education | Tate Makgoe | 2009  | 2014  | ANC
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | Msebenzi Zwane | 2013  | 2014  | ANC
Mamiki Qabathe | 2012  | 2013  | ANC
Mxolisi Dukwana | 2009  | 2012  | ANC
MEC for Police, Roads and Transport | Butana Komphela | 2011  | 2014  | ANC
Thabo Manyoni | 2009  | 2011  | ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development | Mamiki Qabathe | 2013  | 2014  | ANC
Msebenzi Zwane | 2011  | 2013  | ANC
MEC for Agriculture | Mamiki Qabathe | 2009  | 2011  | ANC
MEC for Public Works and Rural Development | Fezi Ngumbentombi | 2009  | 2011  | ANC
MEC for Public Works | Sisi Mabe | 2011  | 2014  | ANC
MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements | Olly Mlamleli | 2012  | 2014  | ANC
Mamiki Qabathe | 2011  | 2012  | ANC
Msebenzi Zwane | 2009  | 2011  | ANC
MEC for Social Development | Sisi Ntombela | 2009  | 2014  | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Dan Kgothule | 2009  | 2014  | ANC

### Second term: 2014–2018

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Pursuant to his re-election in the 2014 general election, Magashule announced his new Executive Council on 29 May 2014. He made only limited changes, replacing Dan Kgothule with Mathabo Leeto as MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation and replacing Sisi Mabe, who became Speaker of the provincial legislature, with Sam Mashinini as MEC for Public Works. He also added small business development to Msebenzi Zwane's economic development portfolio.[16][17]

In May 2015, Magashule announced the first reshuffle of his second term, occasioned by the departure of Mamiki Qabathe, who succeeded Mabe as Speaker.[18] In September 2015, Zwane, who had replaced Qabathe in the agriculture portfolio in the May reshuffle, was sworn into the National Assembly to become national Minister of Mineral Resources; he was replaced in the Executive Council by Oupa Khoabane.[19] In October the following year, Magashule announced a wide-ranging reshuffle, occasioned by the departure of Mlamleli, who had been elected Mayor of Mangaung in the local government elections in August; Limakatso Mahasa was the only new appointment made, although the reshuffle affected five portfolios.[20][21]

Free State Executive Council 2014–2018  Post  | Member  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Premier of the Free State | Ace Magashule | 2014  | 2018  | ANC
MEC for Finance | Elzabe Rockman | 2014  | 2018  | ANC
MEC for Health | Butana Komphela | 2016  | 2018  | ANC
Benny Malakoane | 2014  | 2016  | ANC
MEC for Education | Tate Makgoe | 2014  | 2018  | ANC
MEC for Economic and Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | Benny Malakoane | 2016  | 2018  | ANC
Sam Mashinini | 2015  | 2016  | ANC
Msebenzi Zwane | 2014  | 2015  | ANC
MEC for Police, Roads and Transport | Sam Mashinini | 2016  | 2018  | ANC
Butana Komphela | 2014  | 2016  | ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development | Oupa Khoabane | 2015  | 2018  | ANC
Msebenzi Zwane | 2015  | 2015  | ANC
Mamiki Qabathe | 2014  | 2015  | ANC
MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure | Dorah Coetzee | 2015  | 2018  | ANC
Sam Mashinini | 2014  | 2015  | ANC
MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements | Sisi Ntombela | 2016  | 2018  | ANC
Olly Mlamleli | 2014  | 2016  | ANC
MEC for Social Development | Limakatso Mahasa | 2016  | 2018  | ANC
Sisi Ntombela | 2014  | 2016  | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Mathabo Leeto | 2014  | 2018  | ANC

## Ntombela premiership

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### First term: 2018–2019

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Sisi Ntombela was sworn in as Premier in March 2018; she succeeded Ace Magashule, who had resigned to take up the position of ANC Secretary-General. Although she initially retained all of Magashule's MECs, she announced a reshuffle on 9 May 2018.[22] Five portfolios were affected, but no MECs were fired; indeed, because Ntombela's promotion had left a vacancy in the Executive Council, one new MEC, Montseng Tsiu, was appointed. In the same reshuffle, responsibility for human settlements was transferred from the cooperative governance and traditional affairs portfolio to Dorah Coetzee's public works and infrastructure portfolio.[22]

Free State Executive Council 2018–2019  Post  | Member  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Premier of the Free State | Sisi Ntombela | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
MEC for Finance | Elzabe Rockman | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
MEC for Health | Montseng Tsiu | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
Butana Komphela | 2018  | 2018  | ANC
MEC for Education | Tate Makgoe | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
MEC for Economic and Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | Limakatso Mahasa | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
Benny Malakoane | 2018  | 2018  | ANC
MEC for Police, Roads and Transport | Sam Mashinini | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development | Benny Malakoane | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
Oupa Khoabane | 2018  | 2018  | ANC
MEC for Public Works, Infrastructure and Human Settlements | Dorah Coetzee | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure | Dorah Coetzee | 2018  | 2018  | ANC
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Oupa Khoabane | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
MEC for Social Development | Butana Komphela | 2018  | 2019  | ANC
Limakatso Mahasa | 2018  | 2018  | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Mathabo Leeto | 2018  | 2019  | ANC

### Second term: 2019–2023

[edit]

Ntombela was elected to a full term as Premier in the 2019 general election and she announced her new Executive Council in late May.[23] On 1 October 2021, she announced a reshuffle affecting three portfolios, in which Sam Mashinini was fired.[24] She resigned as premier in February 2023.[25]

Free State Executive Council 2019–2023  Post  | Member  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Premier of the Free State | Sisi Ntombela | 2019  | 2023  | ANC
MEC for Finance | Gadija Brown | 2019  | 2023  | ANC
MEC for Health | Montseng Tsiu | 2019  | 2023  | ANC
MEC for Education | Tate Makgoe | 2019  | 2023  | ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development | Thembeni Nxangisa | 2021  | 2023  | ANC
William Bulwane | 2019  | 2021  | ANC
MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | Makalo Mohale | 2019  | 2023  | ANC
MEC for Police, Roads and Transport | William Bulwane | 2021  | 2023  | ANC
Sam Mashinini | 2019  | 2021  | ANC
MEC for Public Works and Human Settlements | Motshidisi Koloi | 2019  | 2023  | ANC
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Mxolisi Dukwana | 2021  | 2023  | ANC
Thembeni Nxangisa | 2019  | 2021  | ANC
MEC for Social Development | Mamiki Qabathe | 2019  | 2023  | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Limakatso Mahasa | 2019  | 2023  | ANC

## Dukwana premiership: 2023–2024

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On 14 March 2023, Dukwana appointed his Executive Council.[26]

Free State Executive Council 2023–2024  Post  | Member  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Premier of the Free State | Mxolisi Dukwana | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Finance | Gadija Brown | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Health | Mathabo Leeto | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Education | Makalo Mohale | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development | Saki Mokoena | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | Thabo Meeko | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Police, Roads and Transport | Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Public Works and Human Settlements | Dibolelo Mahlatsi | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Ketso Makume | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Social Development | Motshidisi Koloi | 2023  | 2024  | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Limakatso Mahasa | 2023  | 2024  | ANC

## Lesotha-Mathae premiership: 2024–present

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Following the 2024 provincial election, Dukwana was replaced as premier with Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae. She announced her executive council on 20 June 2024.[27]

Free State Executive Council 2024–present  Post  | Member  | Term  | Party

|
|
|

Premier of the Free State | Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Finance, Tourism and Economic Development | Ketso Makume | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure | Mathabo Leeto | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Social Development | Mathabo Leeto | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Education | Mantlhake Maboya | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Health | Monyatso Mahlatsi | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs | Elzabe Rockman | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport  | Jabu Mbalula | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements | Saki Mokoena | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Zanele Sifuba | 2024  | Incumbent | ANC

## See also

[edit]

* Template: Free State Executive Council
* Government of South Africa
* Constitution of South Africa
* Orange Free State

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Direko axes three MECs". News24. 29 June 2001. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
2. ^ "Marshoff names new Free State council". IOL. 3 May 2004. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
3. ^ "Free State premier demotes another minister". The Mail & Guardian. 20 April 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
4. ^ "B Marshoff on reshuffle of Free State Provincial Government Executive Council". South African Government. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
5. ^ "Profile of the MEC". Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
6. ^ "Profile of the MEC". Department of Agriculture & Rural Development. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
7. ^ "FS reshuffles cabinet". News24. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
8. ^ "Free State Education on appointment of Acting Education MEC M Dukwana". South African Government. 17 February 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
9. ^ "Free State provincial ministers announced". The Mail & Guardian. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
10. ^ "Magashule Shuffles MECs" (PDF). Premier of the Free State. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
11. ^ "'Chuene friendship' costs Komphela dearly". Sunday Times. 12 June 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
12. ^ "Premier reshuffles Free State Executive Council". South African Government. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
13. ^ "Free State reshuffle political – DA". News24. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
14. ^ "Magashule sacks Free State finance MEC". News24. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
15. ^ "Cabinet reshuffle". Bloemfontein Courant. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
16. ^ "Magashule announces his cabinet". OFM. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
17. ^ "New faces in FState executive". Drum. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
18. ^ "Ace reshuffles cabinet". Bloemfontein Courant. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
19. ^ "New MEC for agriculture appointed". News24. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
20. ^ "Premier Ace Magashule on Free State Executive Council reshuffle". South African Government. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
21. ^ "Magashule reshuffles Cabinet". News24. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
22. ^ a b Makhafola, Getrude (9 May 2018). "Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela reshuffles Cabinet". IOL. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
23. ^ "Premier Sisi Ntombela: Announcement of Free State Executive Council". South African Government. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
24. ^ Khumalo, Juniour (1 October 2021). "Mxolisi Dukwana appointed Free State Cogta MEC, Sam Mashinini fired as Transport MEC". News24. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
25. ^ "Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela resigns". SABC News. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
26. ^ OFM. "Dukwana's Exco: Out with the old, in with the new". OFM. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
27. ^ OFM. "Women dominate Free State Premier's executive council". OFM. Retrieved 1 July 2024.

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