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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]
| Post | Member | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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]
| Post | Member | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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]
| Post | Member | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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]
| Post | Member | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. [22]
| Post | Member | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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]
| Post | Member | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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]
| Post | Member | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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]
| Post | Member | Term | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Sefora Hixsonia "Sisi" Ntombela is a South African politician who was the 6th Premier of the Free State and a Member of the Free State Provincial Legislature for the African National Congress. She previously served as the Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements and as MEC for Social Development. Ntombela was also the Deputy President of the African National Congress Women's League and the treasurer of the Free State ANC.
Sarah Matawana "Olly" Mlamleli is a South African politician who served as the mayor of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality from August 2016 until August 2020. A member of the African National Congress, she served as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements from February 2012 to August 2016. In 2020, Mlamleli was ousted as Mayor of Mangaung and arrested over a controversial asbestos contract stemming from her time with the MEC.
Skully Thembeni Nxangisa is a South African politician who served in the Free State Executive Council as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from May 2019 until October 2021, when he became the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development. He was removed from the executive council in March 2023
Pule Herbert Isak Makgoe was a South African politician and anti-apartheid activist. A member of the African National Congress, he was elected to the Free State Provincial Legislature in 1994. After holding multiple positions in the Executive Council of the Free State, he was appointed Member of the Executive Council for Education in May 2009, a position he would hold until his death in March 2023.
Kwekwe William Bulwane is a South African politician who has been a member of the Free State Provincial Legislature since May 2019. He had previously served as an MPL in April 2018. Bulwane had previously served in the Free State Executive Council as the Member of the Executive Council for Agriculture and Rural Development from May 2019 to October 2021 and as the MEC for Police, Roads and Transport from October 2021 until his demotion from the Executive Council in March 2023.
Gadija Brown is a South African politician and banker who was a member of the Free State Provincial Legislature for the African National Congress (ANC) and the provincial Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Finance.
Limakatso Patricia Mahasa is a South African politician who served as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in the Free State from 2019 until 2024. A member of the African National Congress, she previously served as the MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs from 2018 until 2019 and before that, as the MEC for Social Development from 2016 to 2018.
Malambule Samuel Mashinini is a South African politician and trade union leader who has been a member of the Free State Provincial Legislature since 2014. A member of the African National Congress, he was elected to the Free State Provincial Legislature in May 2014. He was then appointed as Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. A year later, he became the MEC for Economic and Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Mashinini was appointed MEC for Police, Roads & Transport in October 2016. He was dismissed in October 2021.
Montseng Margaret Tsiu is a South African politician, trade unionist and nurse who served as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health in the Free State provincial government from May 2018 until March 2023. She was sworn in as a Member of the Free State Provincial Legislature for the African National Congress in April 2018. Tsiu is the former provincial chairperson of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union and the former director of nursing in the Free State government.
Mxolisi Abraham Dukwana is a South African politician who has served as the speaker of the Free State Provincial Legislature since June 2024. He was elected Provincial Chairperson of the Free State branch of his political party, the African National Congress (ANC), in January 2023. He was the seventh Premier of the Free State from February 2023 until June 2024. Prior to his election as Premier, he served in the Free State Executive Council as Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs since October 2021.
Motshidisi Agnes Koloi, also spelled Motshidise, is a South African politician and educator who served as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Social Development in the Free State provincial government between March and October 2023. Before that, she was MEC for Public Works and Human Settlements from May 2019 until March 2023. She served in the Free State Provincial Legislature as an ANC representative from May 2019 until October 2023. Prior to her election to the Provincial Legislature, Koloi had served as the executive mayor of the Moqhaka Local Municipality.
Motlagomang Grazy Qabathe, commonly known as Mamiki Qabathe, is a South African politician who served in the Executive Council of the Free State as Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Social Development from May 2019 until October 2023. Before that, she was Speaker of the Free State Provincial Legislature from 2015 to 2019. She is a member of the African National Congress (ANC).
Moses Ketso “Toto” Makume is a South African politician who has been a Member of the Free State Executive Council for Finance, Tourism and Economic Development since 2024 and a Member of the Free State Provincial Legislature since March 2023. He was previously the Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements from 2023 until 2024. Makume was elected as the Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress in January 2023.
Nokwanje Selina "Mathabo" Leeto is a South African politician who was elected to the Free State Provincial Legislature in the 2014 general election. She was appointed as the Member of the Executive Council for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. Leeto left the provincial legislature at the 2019 general election. She was elected provincial treasurer of the African National Congress in January 2023 and returned to the Provincial Legislature in March 2023. She was then appointed as the MEC for Health. Following the 2024 general election, Leeto took over as the MEC for Social Development.
Modise Casalis "Casca" Mokitlane is a former politician and diplomat from South Africa who served in the Free State Provincial Legislature from 1999 until 2014. He is a former Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) and is known for his short-lived defection to the opposition Congress of the People (COPE) between 2009 and 2014.
Benjamin "Benny" Malakoane is a South African politician and medical doctor who served in the Free State Executive Council from 2004 to 2005 and from 2013 to 2019. A member of the African National Congress (ANC), he dropped out of the Executive Council after failing to gain re-election to the Free State Provincial Legislature in the 2019 general election.
Butana Moses Komphela was a South African politician who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the National Assembly and Free State Provincial Legislature until 2019. He served as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture and after that he held several positions in the Free State Executive Council from 2011 to 2019. He died of COVID-19-related illness in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.
Motete Daniel "Oupa" Khoabane is a South African politician who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State Provincial Legislature from 2014 to 2019. During that time, he served as the Free State's Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Agriculture and Rural Development from 2015 to 2018 and as MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2018 to 2019. He failed to gain re-election to the provincial legislature in the 2019 general election.
Fundiswa "Fezi" Ngubentombi was a South African politician who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State Provincial Legislature from 2009 until her death in 2012. During that time, she served as the Free State's Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Public Works and Rural Development from 2009 to 2011 and then as MEC for Health from 2011 to 2012. A former teacher, she also served as Mayor of Metsimaholo Local Municipality from 2006 to 2009.
Dora Kotzee, sometimes misspelled Dorah Coetzee, is a South African politician who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State Provincial Legislature from 2014 to 2019. During that time, she served as the Free State's Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Public Works and Infrastructure from 2015 to 2018, and from 2018 to 2019 she occupied an expanded portfolio as MEC for Public Works, Infrastructure and Human Settlements.