Zweli Mkhize
Zwelini Lawrence Mkhize (born 2 February 1956)[1] is a South African doctor, legislator and politician who has served as the Minister of Health since 30 May 2019. He previously served as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2018 to 2019. He was the 5th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal from 2009 to 2013. Mkhize is a member of the African National Congress and was the party's Treasurer-General between 2012 and 2017.[2]
Zweli Mkhize | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Health | |
| Assumed office 30 May 2019 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Preceded by | Aaron Motsoaledi |
| Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | |
| In office 27 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Preceded by | Des van Rooyen |
| Succeeded by | Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma |
| Treasurer General of the African National Congress | |
| In office 18 December 2012 – 18 December 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Mathews Phosa |
| Succeeded by | Paul Mashatile |
| 5th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal | |
| In office 6 May 2009 – 1 September 2013 | |
| Preceded by | S'bu Ndebele |
| Succeeded by | Senzo Mchunu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 February 1956 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | May Mashego |
| Alma mater | University of Natal |
Early life
Zwelini Mkhize was born on 2 February 1956 in Willowfontein, Pietermaritzburg.[3] He is the fifth child in a family of seven children. He completed his degree in medicine at the University of Natal at the age of 26. He completed his internship at the McCord Hospital in 1983.[4] Mkhize found employment at the Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg the following year.[5] He was forced into exile in Swaziland but later settled in Zimbabwe. He returned to South Africa in 1991, and soon worked for the Themba Hospital in the former Eastern Transvaal.
Political career
Upon his return to South Africa in 1991,[6] Mkhize began serving the African National Congress as a member of its national health secretariat.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
After the 1994 election, Mkhize was appointed as the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for health in 1994. He held the post for a decade, consequently becoming longest-serving health MEC in the country.[7]
In 2004, Mkhize was appointed the MEC for Finance and Economic Development in KwaZulu-Natal, whilst serving as the chairperson of the ANC's National Education and Health subcommittee.
He was chosen on 30 April 2009 to be the ANC candidate for Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. He was elected by the provincial legislature on 6 May after he defeated the DA's John Steenhuisen for the post. Mkhize received 68 votes compared to Steenhuisen's 7.[8]
He was elected the provincial chairperson of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal in 2008. He was re-elected to a second term as chair in 2012.[9]
He served as the chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal since 2009 until 2017.[10]
Treasurer General of the ANC
Mkhize was elected as Treasurer General of ANC at the party's 53rd National Conference in December 2012.[11] This post required the officeholder to work out of "Luthuli House," the ANC Headquarters as stated in the ANC Constitution 12.11 "Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and the Treasurer General shall be full-time functionaries of the ANC."[12]
On 22 August 2013 Zweli Mkhize stepped down as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal stating, "After considering the workload associated with my two responsibilities, I have come to the conclusion that I need to spend more time fulfilling my responsibilities as the treasurer-general of the African National Congress."[13] Mkhize would be based at ANC headquarters Luthuli House in Johannesburg full-time as from 1 September.[14]
On 18 December 2017, ANC Gauteng secretary Paul Mashatile was elected the new Treasurer General of the African National Congress at the 54th National conference.[15]
National government
On 27 February 2018, Mkhize became the new minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, succeeding Des van Rooyen.[16] He assumed the post of Health minister on 30 May 2019.[17]
References
- "Zweli Lawrence Mkhize, Dr". gov.za. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- "MEC: Dr Z L Mkhize". KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
- http://www.anc.org.za/content/zweli-mkhize
- Independent Newspapers Online. "McCord Hospital handed over". Independent Online.
- "Mkhize the man to watch as stalwarts in the ANC age". Business Day Live.
- "Total Exposure -". Total Exposure.
- "Government Leaders | South African Government".
- "Mkhize takes the reins in KZN". IOL news. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/3d330f804b38072e91e39f08bbfc9952/Mkhize-re-elected-as-ANC-chair-in-KZN-20120512
- du Plessis, Carien (30 April 2009). "ANC announces its premier candidates". IOL. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
- "African National Congress".
- "African National Congress".
- "News 24". Zweli Mkhize resigns as KZN premier. 22 August 2013.
- "Zweli Mkhize resigns as KZN premier". News 24. News 24. 22 August 2013.
- "Paul Mashatile gets set to leave Gauteng after being named ANC treasurer-general".
- "IN FULL l Ramaphosa hires and fires - read his Cabinet reshuffle speech". TimesLIVE. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- Pilane, Pontsho (29 May 2019). "Ramaphosa announces Zweli Mkhize as the next health minister". health-e.org.za. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- "Zweli Mkhize ready to run for ANC president".
- "'It's time to forge unity in the ANC'".
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Aaron Motsoaledi |
Minister of Health 2019– |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Des van Rooyen |
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs 2018–2019 |
Succeeded by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma |
| Preceded by S'bu Ndebele |
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal 2009–2013 |
Succeeded by Senzo Mchunu |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Mathews Phosa |
Treasurer General of the African National Congress 2012–2017 |
Succeeded by Paul Mashatile |