Pinky Kekana

Pinky Sharon Kekana (born 14 July 1966) be South African politician from Limpopo who be currently Deputy Minister of Public Service plus Administration. Member of de African National Congress (ANC), she serve insyd de National Assembly of South Africa since May 2014 den insyd de national executive since February 2018.

Teacher by training, Kekana be member of de Limpopo Provincial Legislature den serve insyd Limpopo Executive Council from 2009 to 2013 under Premier Cassel Mathale. She elect to de National Assembly insyd 2014 general election den elect to de ANC National Executive Committee insyd 2017.

Thereafter, insyd February 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa appoint ein to de national executive. Before she take up ein current position insyd July 2024, she been Deputy Minister of Communications from 2018 to 2021, Deputy Minister insyd de Presidency from 2021 to 2023, plus Deputy Minister insyd de Presidency for Planning, Monitoring den Evaluation from 2023 to 2024. Insyd December 2022, she be elected to second five-year term insyd ANC National Executive Committee.

 Early life den career 
Born on 14 July 1966, Kekana born plus raise insyd Bela-Bela insyd present-day Limpopo province (then part of de Transvaal). After she earn Bachelor of Arts insyd education, she work as secondary school teacher insyd Bela-Bela.

 Provincial political career 
Kekana first be elected to Limpopo Provincial Legislature insyd 1999, representing African National Congress (ANC). By 2008, she be Executive Mayor of Limpopo ein Waterberg District Municipality. Dat same year, insyd party elective conference held insyd July, she be elected as Deputy Provincial Secretary of ANC ein Limpopo branch—serving under Provincial Chairperson Cassel Mathale plus Provincial Secretary Joe Maswanganyi.

 MEC for Roads den Transport: 2009–2012 
Pursuant to de 2009 general election, Kekana return to provincial legislature, den she additionally appoint to Limpopo Executive Council by Mathale insyd ein capacity as Premier of Limpopo. Mathale appoint ein Member of de Executive Council (MEC) for Roads plus Transport. Ein department placed under administration by de national government insyd 2011.

She be viewed as political ally of Mathale plus ANC Youth League President Julius Malema. Insyd 2012, opposition Democratic Alliance call for ein resignation after Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, say Kekana approve improperly awarded state contract with company linked to Malema. Insyd different report released dat same year, Madonsela sanso say Kekana abuse ein position as MEC to “settle political scores” by ordering traffic cop to arrest Thandi Moraka, political opponent of Malema. Insyd December 2012, she conclude ein term as ANC Deputy Provincial Secretary den elect as ANC Provincial Treasurer.

 MEC for Economic Development: 2012–2013 
On 13 March 2012, Premier Mathale announce cabinet reshuffle where Kekana swop portfolios plus Pitsi Moloto, becoming MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, plus Tourism. Then insyd July 2013, ANC ask Mathale to resign. Ein successor as Premier, Stan Mathabatha, announce major reshuffle—Kekana be one of eight MECs fired from Executive Council; she be replaced by Charles Sekoati.

 National political career 
De following year, insyd 2014 general election, Kekana be elected to five-year term insyd seat insyd de National Assembly, de lower house of de national South African Parliament. She rank tenth on ANC ein provincial party list. Insyd 2015, she be elected to National Executive Committee of de ANC Women ein League, den insyd December 2017, she be elected to National Executive Committee of de mainstream ANC, rank 47th of de 80 elect candidates by number of votes receive.

On 27 February 2018, Kekana appoint Deputy Minister of Communications by Cyril Ramaphosa, who recently be elected as President of South Africa; Nomvula Mokonyane appoint Minister of Communications insyd same reshuffle. From November 2018, ein portfolio rename Communications plus Telecommunications, after Ramaphosa announce merger of those respective ministries. Insyd 2019 general election, she be ranked 48th on ANC's national party list den retain ein legislative seat, plus ein position as Deputy Minister.

On 5 August 2021, Ramaphosa announce mid-term reshuffle insyd which Kekana be appointed Deputy Minister insyd de Presidency, serving under Minister Mondli Gungubele. At ANC ein 55th National Conference insyd December 2022, she be re-elect to anoda five-year term on party ein National Executive Committee; by number of votes receive, she rank 21st of de 80 candidates elect, getting 1,518 votes across total 4,029 ballots.

After de 55th National Conference, on 6 March 2023, Ramaphosa announce reshuffle again—Kekana stay as Deputy Minister insyd de Presidency but now transfer to specific portfolio: she become Deputy Minister insyd de Presidency for Planning, Monitoring plus Evaluation, serving under Minister Maropene Ramokgopa.

Insyd de next general election insyd May 2024, Kekana be re-elected to ein parliamentary seat, ranked tenth on ANC ein national party list. When Ramaphosa unveil ein third cabinet on 30 June 2024, he appoint ein Deputy Minister of Public Service den Administration. Insyd dat role, she deputise Mzamo Buthelezi from de opposition Inkatha Freedom Party, who be assigned to de portfolio under de new coalition government.

 Ein life matter 
As of 2014, Kekana marry Jerry Manyama, a civil servant; demma son, Grant Kekana, be a professional football player.

 References 

 External links 
 Ms Pinky Sharon Kekana at People's Assembly
 Ms Sharon Pinky Kekana at Parliament of South Africa
 Pinky Sharon Kekana at African National Congress

Category:1966 births
Category:Human
Category:South African people
Category:Government ministers of South Africa
Category:Members of de National Assembly of South Africa 2024–2029
Category:Members of de Limpopo Provincial Legislature
Category:African National Congress politicians
Category:Women members of de National Assembly of South Africa
Category:Members of de National Assembly of South Africa 2019–2024
Category:Members of de National Assembly of South Africa 2014–2019
Category:21st-century South African women politicians