# Thami Ntuli

Arthur Thamsanqa Ntuli (born 11 November 1973) is a South African politician who is the Provincial Chairperson of the Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal. He is the former mayor of Nkandla Local Municipality and King Cetshwayo District Municipality, currently serves as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.

## Early life and education

Thami Ntuli was born in 1973 at Nkandla in Vumanhlamvu. He studied primary education at Vumanhlamvu Primary School and secondary education at Nomangci Secondary (now Mzikazi Secondary). He completed Standard 8 at Sibonokuhle Secondary and standard 10 (matric) at Nkandla Secondary. After matric, he worked as a cleaner and cashier at Mabedlane (Mahlabathini) in a shop known as Ndlovane. He also worked as a security guard under Gray Security Company at Ulundi. In 1993, he was appointed as an unqualified teacher at Mashinga Secondary School where he registered a Diploma in Education (part-time studies) at Rand Afrikaans University. He also completed an Advance Certificate in Management in Natal University. Ntuli also registered a Honours Degree in Education Law and Management at the University of Pretoria. He was appointed the Head of Department at Mashinga Secondary. Mr Ntuli was also appointed as the Deputy Principal at Nkandla Secondary School and after that was seconded to the National Teachers Union (NATU) head office where he worked as the national recruitment coordinator. NATU also appointed him as national case manager and chief negotiator in the Education Labour Relations Counci (ELRC). Ntuli also served as a school principal at Hwanqana Combined School and Lushaba Secondary School where he resigned in order to serve as a Councillor and Mayor of Nkandla Local Municipality for 10 years.

## Premier of KwaZulu-Natal

On the 29th of January 2024, IFP announced Thami Ntuli as their KZN Premier candidate for 2024 General Elections. On June 14th, Ntuli was elected as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal in a sitting of the provincial legislature. He would be elected in with coalition support from the IFP, African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA) and National Freedom Party (NFP), Ntuli defeated the MK Party's premier candidate, Zulu Nation's deputy prime minister Phathisizwe Chiliza, with 41 votes to 39. Ntuli is the first IFP member to serve as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal since 2004. Thami Ntuli was officially inaugurated as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal on 18 June 2024.
Ntuli announced a new provincial cabinet on June 18th which included 10 members, four from the Inkatha Freedom Party, three from the African National Congress, two from the Democratic Alliance and one from the National Freedom Party. In a significant move, he announced that the Department of Community Safety and Liaison would be placed directly under the Office of the Premier. Newly inaugurated KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli did not waste any time on Tuesday, announcing his cabinet during his inauguration speech. Members are made up of representatives of the ANC/IFP/DA/NFP coalition. Premier Thami Ntuli on Tuesday announced the 10 members of his executive to lead portfolios.
The IFP leads four portfolios: leader of government business; co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta); agriculture; and sports. The ANC, with the second most portfolios, will lead health, education, transport and human settlements. The DA will lead finance and public works while the National Freedom Party (NFP) will lead social development. The formula is in line with a coalition agreement between the parties. The IFP, which received 18% of the vote, has the most MECs. The ANC gets three MECs, with 16%, the DA two, with 14%, and the NFP one.
The list of MECs:
* Economic development — Musa Zondi (IFP);
* Cogta — Thulasizwe Buthelezi (IFP);
* Health — Nomagugu Simelane (ANC);
* Social development — Mbali Shinga (NFP);
* Public works — Lucas Meyer (DA);
* Finance — Francois Rogers (DA);
* Agriculture — Thembeni Madlopha Mthethwa (IFP);
* Transport and human settlements — Siboniso Duma (ANC);
* Education — Sipho Hlomuka (ANC); and
* Sports, arts and culture — Mntomuhle Khawula (IFP).