Joe Mpisi Explained

Office:Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature
Party:African National Congress
Termstart:21 May 2014
Termend:12 May 2023
Office1:Provincial Chairperson of the South African Communist Party in Gauteng
Termstart1:March 2012
Termend1:May 2023
1Namedata1:Jacob Mamabolo
1Blankname1:Chairperson
Deputy1:
  • Rosemary Thobejane-Ndoqo
  • Mandla Radebe
Birth Date:12 November 1966
Birth Place:Meadowlands, Transvaal
South Africa
Otherparty:South African Communist Party

Joe Mpisi (12 November 1966 – 12 May 2023) was a South African politician and trade unionist who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature from 2014 until his death. He also served as the Provincial Chairperson of the Gauteng branch of the South African Communist Party (SACP) from 2012.

Early life and career

Mpisi was born on 12 November 1966 in Meadowlands, Soweto in present-day Gauteng. He matriculated at Lamola Jubilee Senior Secondary School, where he became involved in anti-apartheid politics, including through the United Democratic Front. According to Mpisi, in 1980 he joined the ANC and its close ally the SACP.[1]

After the end of apartheid, he was active in the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union, an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, where he served as a shop steward and ultimately as Deputy President. He also remained active in the SACP: in March 2012, at the Gauteng SACP's tenth provincial congress in Benoni, he was elected unopposed as SACP Provincial Chairperson; he served under Provincial Secretary Jacob Mamabolo, with Rosemary Thobejane-Ndoqo as his deputy.[2]

Legislative career

Two years after his election to the SACP chair, Mpisi was elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in the 2014 general election, ranked 37th on the ANC's provincial party list.[3] During the legislative term that followed, he was re-elected unopposed to his SACP office in May 2015[4] and May 2018.[5] In 2017, he called for South African President Jacob Zuma to resign over allegations that his administration had facilitated state capture by the Gupta family.[6]

Mpisi was re-elected to his legislative seat in the 2019 general election, ranked 31st on the ANC's party list.

Personal life and death

Mpisi was married and had four children; three sons and a daughter. He was a member of Change Bible Church in Katlehong.

Mpisi died on 12 May 2023, at the age of 56.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2019 . Strengthening governance for the allocation and utilization of budgets . 10 February 2023 . Gauteng Legislature.
  2. Web site: 27 March 2012 . SACP Gauteng's Congress declaration . 10 February 2023 . Politicsweb . en.
  3. Web site: Joe Mpisi . 10 February 2023 . People's Assembly . en.
  4. Web site: 24 May 2015 . SACP Gauteng leadership elected unopposed . 10 February 2023 . Politicsweb . en.
  5. News: Feketha . Siviwe . 7 May 2018 . SACP's Nzimande bemoans schism . en . 9 February 2023.
  6. Web site: 30 April 2017 . ‘Chris Hani never had his Guptas’ - SACP . 10 February 2023 . Sunday Times . en-ZA.
  7. News: Anc Member Of Gauteng Legislature Joe Mpisi Passes Away . 12 May 2023 . EWN . 12 May 2023.