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).
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]
| 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 |
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]
| 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 |
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]
| 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 |
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]
| 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 |
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.
| 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 |
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]
| 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 |
On 14 March 2023, Dukwana appointed his Executive Council.[26]
| 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 |
Following the 2024 provincial election, Dukwana was replaced as premier with Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae. She announced her executive council on 20 June 2024.[27]
| 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 |