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Hlengiwe Mkhize

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The Honourable
Hlengiwe Mkhize
MP
Mkhize in 2016
Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
In office
30 May 2019 – 16 September 2021
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
MinisterMaite Nkoana-Mashabane
Succeeded bySisi Tolashe
Minister of Higher Education and Training
In office
17 October 2017 – 26 February 2018
PresidentJacob Zuma
Cyril Ramaphosa
DeputyButi Manamela
Preceded byBlade Nzimande
Succeeded byNaledi Pandor
Minister of Home Affairs
In office
31 March 2017 – 17 October 2017
PresidentJacob Zuma
DeputyFatima Chohan
Preceded byMalusi Gigaba
Succeeded byAyanda Dlodlo
Member of the National Assembly
In office
6 May 2009 – 16 September 2021
National Treasurer of the African National Congress Women's League
In office
July 2008 – August 2015
PresidentAngie Motshekga
Preceded bypredecessor
Succeeded byMaite Nkoana-Mashabane
Vice-President of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court
In office
2005–2008
Appointed byAssembly of States Parties
Other offices
(2009–2017)
Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
In office
26 May 2014 – 31 March 2017
PresidentJacob Zuma
MinisterSiyabonga Cwele
Preceded byPortfolio established
Succeeded byStella Ndabeni-Abrahams
Deputy Minister of Economic Development
In office
12 June 2012 – 26 May 2014
PresidentJacob Zuma
MinisterEbrahim Patel
Preceded byEnoch Godongwana
Succeeded byMadala Masuku
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training
In office
31 October 2010 – 12 June 2012
PresidentJacob Zuma
MinisterBlade Nzimande
Succeeded byMduduzi Manana
Deputy Minister of Correctional Services
In office
11 May 2009 – 31 October 2010
PresidentJacob Zuma
MinisterNosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Preceded byLoretta Jacobus
Succeeded byNgoako Ramathlodi
Personal details
Born(1952-09-06)6 September 1952
Died16 September 2021(2021-09-16) (aged 69)
Johannesburg, South Africa
CitizenshipSouth African
Political partyAfrican National Congress
SpousePat Mkhize
Alma materUniversity of Zululand
University of Natal

Hlengiwe Buhle Mkhize (6 September 1952 – 16 September 2021) was a South African politician who served as Minister of Higher Education and Training and Minister of Home Affairs under President Jacob Zuma. A member of the National Assembly and national executive since May 2009, she was Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities when she died in September 2021.

Mkhize trained in clinical psychology and spent over a decade in academia at the University of Zululand and University of the Witwatersrand, until in 1995 she was appointed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She chaired the commission's Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee. She went on to serve as South African Ambassador to the Netherlands from 2005 to 2008 before she was elected to the National Assembly in the 2009 general election.

Between 2009 and 2017, Mkhize served Zuma's administration as a deputy minister in four different portfolios: she was Deputy Minister of Correctional Services from 2009 to 2010, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training from 2010 to 2012, Deputy Minister of Economic Development from 2012 to 2014, and Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services from 2014 to 2017. After that, she was promoted to Zuma's second-term cabinet, first as Minister of Home Affairs in 2017 and then as Minister of Higher Education and Training from 2017 to 2018. In February 2018, she was sacked by Zuma's successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and she retreated briefly to the chairmanship of the Portfolio Committee on Communications. She was appointed to her deputy ministerial position in the Presidency after the 2019 general election.

A longserving member of the African National Congress (ANC), Mkhize was the national treasurer of the ANC Women's League from July 2008 to August 2015. She was a member of the party's National Executive Committee from December 2017 until her death.

Early life and education

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Mkhize was born on 6 September 1952.[1] In 1976, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, social work, and sociology from the University of Zululand,[1] where she was involved in student activism.[2][3] She went on to complete two postgraduate degrees at the University of Natal: an Honours in psychology in 1978, and a Master's in clinical psychology in 1981.[1]

Career in academia and activism

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Mkhize spent over a decade in academia: she was a senior lecturer at the University of Zululand from 1984 to 1990 and then a senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand from 1990 to 1995.[1] During that period, she was also a visiting professor at the University of Illinois and University of Mississippi.[1]

After leaving teaching, she held a series of varied posts in civil society and non-profit organisations.[3] Most notably, from 1995 to 2003, she was a commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the chairperson of the commission's Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee.[1] She also established the National Children and Violence Trust,[4][5] worked as a reparations officer in the President's Fund in the Ministry of Justice, chaired the board of the South African branch of Transparency International, and chaired the council of the University of Zululand.[1] Mkhize also had various business interests;[6] by the time that she joined the government in 2009, she was a director in 15 private companies, including Aerosud.[7]

Through much of her career in civil society, Mkhize was also an active member of the African National Congress (ANC), the post-apartheid governing party. From 1991 to 2004, she served continuously as a member of the executive of her local ANC branch – from 1991 to 1995 in Diepsloot; from 1995 to 2000 in Sandton; and from 2001 to 2004 in Havana City, Fourways, where she was branch secretary as well as chairperson of the local ANC Women's League.[1]

Ambassador to the Netherlands: 2005–2008

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In 2005, President Thabo Mbeki appointed Mkhize as South African Ambassador to the Netherlands, a post she held until 2008.[1] In this capacity, she chaired the executive council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons during the early 2000s and was vice-president of the Member States at the International Criminal Court from 2006 to 2008.[1][3]

Treasurer of the ANC Women's League: 2008–2015

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On 6 July 2008 in Bloemfontein, Mkhize was elected as National Treasurer of the ANC Women's League. She served under Angie Motshekga, who was elected as league president at the same elective conference.[8] She remained in the treasury for a single extended term, which lasted until August 2015 due to delays in holding the next elective conference. She said that she raised more than R40-million in funds for the ANC Women's League during her tenure.[9] In 2015, she did not stand for re-election, and she was succeeded as treasurer by Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.[10]

Career in government

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Deputy Minister: 2009–2017

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She was first elected to the National Assembly of South Africa in the April 2009 general election, representing the ANC.[11] She served in the assembly until her death in 2021, gaining re-election in 2014 and 2019.[12] In addition, after the 2009 election, she was appointed as a deputy minister under the cabinet of newly elected President Jacob Zuma, who named her as Deputy Minister of Correctional Services under Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.[13] Mkhize was viewed as a political supporter and ally of Zuma.[11]

Mkhize at the World Summit on the Information Society in May 2016

In a reshuffle announced on 31 October 2010, Mkhize was appointed as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, under Minister Blade Nzimande.[14][3] She served in that position until 12 June 2012, when she was appointed to succeed Enoch Godongwana as Deputy Minister of Economic Development under Minister Ebrahim Patel.[15] Finally, in her fourth and final deputy ministerial position in Zuma's administration, she was appointed as Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services when that portfolio was established after the 2014 general election.[16]

Minister of Home Affairs: 2017

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Late on 30 March 2017, Zuma announced another cabinet reshuffle in which Mkhize was promoted to his second-term cabinet, succeeding Malusi Gigaba as Minister of Home Affairs.[17] Early in her tenure as minister, Mkhize attracted media attention for defending her predecessor's controversial decision to grant South African citizenship to members of the Gupta family, a decision that critics claimed amounted to unfair preferential treatment.[18][19][20] Also controversial was Mkhize's decision to place Mkuseli Apleni, the director-general of the Department of Home Affairs, on precautionary suspension. Apleni said that she did not have proper grounds for the suspension and threatened to sue the ministry, while the Select Committee on Social Services raised its own doubts about the decision.[21]

Minister of Higher Education and Training: 2017–2018

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Mkhize spent less than a year in the home affairs portfolio before, on 17 October 2017, she was appointed as Minister of Higher Education and Training, succeeding her former boss, Blade Nzimande.[22] While she was serving in this office, Mkhize attended the ANC's 54th National Conference, at which she was elected to a five-year term as a member of the party's National Executive Committee. By number of votes received, she was ranked 73rd of the committee's 80 ordinary members.[23]

Portfolio committees: 2018–2019

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On 26 February 2018, Mkhize was sacked from the cabinet by Cyril Ramaphosa, who had recently succeeded Zuma as president.[24] She was replaced by Naledi Pandor and retreated to the backbenches of the National Assembly, where she spent several months as an ordinary member of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation.[12] On 6 November 2018, she was elected to chair the Portfolio Committee on Communications after the former chairperson, Humphrey Maxegwana, became chair of the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interest.[25] She remained in the chair until after the May 2019 general election.[12]

Mkhize in May 2016 at a ministerial roundtable with Yaya Abdoul Kane and Allam Mousa

Deputy Minister in the Presidency: 2019–2021

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Pursuant to the 2019 general election, Ramaphosa appointed Mkhize as Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. She deputised Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.[26] She served in the office until her death in 2021, making her last parliamentary appearance on 19 August 2021 when she cast her vote to elect Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula as the Speaker of the National Assembly.[2]

Personal life and death

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Mkhize was diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2017, and she was hospitalised on 31 August 2021.[2] She died in hospital in Johannesburg on 16 December 2021, aged 69.[27] President Ramaphosa granted her an official funeral.[28]

She was married to Pat Mkhize. They had four children – three daughters and a son – and a grandson.[2] She was also the chairperson of the June and Andrew Mlangeni Foundation.[2][29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Hlengiwe Buhle Mkhize, Prof". South African Government. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Khumalo, Juniour (16 September 2021). "Deputy Minister in the Presidency Hlengiwe Mkhize has died". News24. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Experts cautious on Mkhize's appointment". The Mail & Guardian. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Truth commissioner under investigation". The Mail & Guardian. 10 May 1996. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Truth commissioner is haunted by her history". The Mail & Guardian. 26 April 1996. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Diamonds are a truth commissioner's best friend". The Mail & Guardian. 13 November 1998. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Zuma's Cabinet Inc". The Mail & Guardian. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Motshekga to lead ANCWL". News24. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  9. ^ "ANC Women's League's finances are 'healthy'". The Mail & Guardian. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Dlamini beats Motshekga in bruising ANC Women's League battle". News24. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Fierce loyalty reaps big rewards". The Mail & Guardian. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Hlengiwe Mkhize". People's Assembly. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Statement by President Jacob Zuma on the appointment of the new Cabinet". South African Government. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Zuma announces cabinet reshuffle". Sunday Times. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Zuma reshuffles Cabinet". Sowetan. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  16. ^ Hogg, Alec (25 May 2014). "Full List of Jacob Zuma's 2014 cabinet – all the Ministers and Deputies". BizNews. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  17. ^ "#CabinetReshuffle: President Jacob Zuma's statement of change". EWN. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  18. ^ Nhlabathi, Hlengiwe (25 June 2017). "Mkhize mulls Gupta citizenship". News24. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  19. ^ Gerber, Jan (7 September 2017). "Guptas must be treated with dignity - Home Affairs minister Mkhize". News24. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  20. ^ "Mkhize defends Gigaba". The Mail & Guardian. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Cabinet reshuffle lets Hlengiwe Mkhize off the hook". Business Day. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Zuma reshuffles his Cabinet". The Mail & Guardian. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  23. ^ "Meet the new ANC NEC". News24. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Ramaphosa swings the axe, cuts 13 from Zuma's Cabinet". Sunday Times. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Communications committee elects new chairperson". Parliament of South Africa. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  26. ^ Nicolson, Greg (29 May 2019). "Ramaphosa cuts Cabinet from 36 to 28 ministers, half of whom are women". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  27. ^ Baloyi, Thabo (16 September 2021). "Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize passes away". The South African. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  28. ^ McCain, Nicole (20 September 2021). "Official funeral declared for Deputy Minister in the Presidency Hlengiwe Mkhize". News24. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  29. ^ "The June and Andrew Mlangeni Foundation says the late struggle veteran leaves a legacy of solidarity". SABC News. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
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