Jacob Mamabolo Explained

Jacob Mamabolo
Honorific-Suffix:MPL
Office:Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Premier:Panyaza Lesufi
Term Start:3 July 2024
Predecessor:Office established
Office1:Gauteng MEC for Finance
Premier1:Panyaza Lesufi
Term Start1:7 October 2022
Term End1:14 June 2024
Predecessor1:Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko
Successor1:Lebogang Maile
Office2:Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport
Premier2:David Makhura
Term Start2:30 May 2019
Term End2:6 October 2022
Predecessor2:Ismail Vadi
Successor2:Kedibone Diale-Tlabela
Office3:Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development
Premier3:David Makhura
Term Start3:2 February 2016
Term End3:29 May 2019
Predecessor3:Nandi Mayathula-Khoza
Successor3:Tasneem Motara
Premier4:David Makhura
Term Start4:23 May 2014
Term End4:2 February 2016
Predecessor4:Ntombi Mekgwe
Successor4:Paul Mashatile
Office5:Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature
Term Start5:21 May 2014
Birthname:Phalama Jacob Mamabolo
Birth Date:10 March 1969
Nationality:South African
Party:African National Congress

Phalama Jacob Mamabolo (born 10 March 1969) is a South African politician of the African National Congress. He was elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in the 2014 election, and was appointed Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Human Settlement and COGTA. He served in this position until his appointment as the MEC for Infrastructure Development in February 2016. Mamabolo became the MEC for Roads and Transport in 2019. In October 2022, Mamabolo was promoted to MEC for Finance. Following the 2024 provincial election, he was appointed MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

He is the current provincial secretary of the South African Communist Party.

Early life and education

Mamabolo was born on 10 March 1969.[1] He has a senior diploma in teaching, a degree in law, and a master's degree in public administration. He is currently studying towards a Ph.D. in Public Administration at the University of South Africa.

Career

Civil servant

Mamabolo worked as a civil servant for a decade. He was first employed as an Office Manager in the office of the then deputy minister of Correctional Services. He then worked at the Department of Home Affairs as a parliamentary liaison officer and was eventually promoted to Chief of Staff. Mamabolo was soon given the position of project manager of the Home Affairs Turn-Around Strategy.

Mamabolo was the head of the Home Affairs 2010 Soccer World Cup Project. He became the chief director responsible for ports of entry after that. Later on, he was employed as head of change management at the Department of Public Works.

Political career

Mamabolo became active in politics at a young age. He was a member of the student representative council (SRC) of the Mokopane Teachers College and the president of the South African Student Congress. He is currently a member of the provincial executive committee of the African National Congress in Gauteng. Mamabolo also serves as the provincial secretary of the South African Communist Party.

Provincial government

Mamabolo was elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 2014. On 23 May 2014, he was appointed Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Human Settlement and COGTA by premier David Makhura.[2] He became the MEC for Infrastructure Development in February 2016.[3] Makhura made Mamabolo the MEC for Roads and Transport in 2019.[4]

On 30 July 2020, Bandile Masuku, the MEC for Health, was placed on leave amid a personal protective equipment scandal. Mamabolo acted as MEC during Masuku's leave.[5]

On 7 October 2022, Mamabolo was appointed as Finance MEC by newly elected premier Panyaza Lesufi. Lesufi tasked him with ensuring that the controversial e-tolls will be scrapped.[6]

Following the 2024 provincial election, Mamabolo was appointed as the MEC for the newly established Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs portfolio by premier Lesufi.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MEC Jacob Mamabolo MEC for Public Transport & Road Infrastructure, Gauteng Department: Roads and Transport . generationehq.com . 16 November 2020.
  2. News: The new Gauteng cabinet - David Makhura . 16 November 2020 . Politicsweb . 24 May 2014.
  3. News: Makhura announces Gauteng Cabinet reshuffle . 16 November 2020 . eNCA.
  4. News: Panyaza Lesufi new finance MEC as Gauteng cabinet announced . 16 November 2020 . BusinessDay . 29 May 2019.
  5. News: Madia . Tshidi . Covid-19 tender saga: Jacob Mamabolo acting Health MEC as Bandile Masuku placed on special leave . 17 November 2020 . News24 . 30 July 2020.
  6. Web site: Khumalo . Juniour . Parks Tau, Nomathemba Mokgethi casualties as Panyaza Lesufi makes sweeping changes to Gauteng cabinet . 2022-10-07 . News24 . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2024-07-04 . Lesufi announces Gauteng Cabinet SAnews . 2024-07-04 . www.sanews.gov.za . en.