Sindisiwe Chikunga

Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga (born on 9 November 1958) be South African politician wey dey serve now as Minister insyd de Presidency for Women, Youth plus Persons with Disabilities since 2024. She be member of de African National Congress, den she dey serve as Member of de National Assembly of South Africa since 2004. Before now, Chikunga serve two times as Deputy Minister of Transport — from 2012 go 2019, den again from 2021 go 2023. She sana serve as Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration from 2019 go 2021, den later as Minister of Transport from 2023 go 2024. By profession, she be midwife.

 Early life den education 
Chikunga be person wey dem born for Muden, wey dey insyd present-day KwaZulu-Natal. Ein poppie be Reverend Lucas Gcaba, Lutheran church pastor. When she be pikin, ein family dey move plenty between towns — from Muden go Greytown, then later go Kopleegte, where she attend primary school.

She get Bachelor of Arts plus Honours degree for Curationis from University of South Africa, den Master of Arts for Curationis from University of Pretoria. From Edendale Nursing College, she get Diploma in Midwifery plus Diploma in Nursing Science. As dem appoint am as Minister of Transport for March 2023, she still dey study for master's degree in political sciences from University of South Africa. Chikunga work as nurse for Mpumalanga.

 Political career 
Chikunga join de DCO Makiwane Youth League during de 1980s. She hold leadership positions insyd de African National Congress for Mpumalanga; she be ex officio member of ANC ein Gert Sibande Regional Executive Committee (REC), den she serve as chairperson plus deputy chairperson insyd de region. Chikunga sana be ex officio member of de Regional Executive Committee of de African National Congress Women’s League. She be former member of de ANC Provincial Executive Committee for Mpumalanga.

Chikunga become Member of Parliament for de ANC insyd 2004. While she dey serve as ANC MP, she join de Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, de Joint Budget Portfolio Committee, de Portfolio Committee on Housing, de Committee on Auditor General, plus de Joint Standing Committee on Defence. From 2009 go 2012, Chikunga be chairperson of de Portfolio Committee on Police, wey she many times clash plus National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele.

 National government 
On 12 June 2012, President Jacob Zuma appoint Chikunga as Deputy Minister of Transport during ein cabinet reshuffle. She continue as Deputy Minister of Transport after Zuma do major cabinet overhaul after dem swear am insyd for second term as president insyd May 2014. After Zuma resign as president den Cyril Ramaphosa take over for February 2018, Chikunga still remain Deputy Minister of Transport. Chikunga attend de African Development Conference wey dem hold insyd June 2013 for Japan.

Insyd March 2018, report talk say Chikunga dey allegedly refuse to return two of ein old official cars—BMW X6 plus BMW GT—even after de Transport Department buy her two new official cars, BMW X5 plus Jaguar F-Type. Dem sana accuse Chikunga say she allow ein family member to take de Avis petrol card for de state-hired car wey dem give am, go fill petrol.

After de 2019 general election, Ramaphosa appoint Chikunga as Deputy Minister for de Public Service and Administration portfolio, while Dikeledi Magadzi take over as Deputy Minister of Transport. Insyd August 2021, during cabinet reshuffle, Chikunga come back as Deputy Minister of Transport. After de 2024 general election, she get appointment as Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

 Minister of Transport (2023–2024) 
After de previous Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, win election as Secretary-General of de African National Congress—one position wey require make he dey Luthuli House full-time—during de party ein 55th National Conference for December 2022, e come clear say Mbalula go soon comot from government to go take up de party position. Ramaphosa reshuffle ein cabinet on 6 March 2023, wey be when he appoint Chikunga as Mbalula ein replacement as Minister of Transport. Lisa Mangcu come become de new Deputy Minister of Transport. Chikunga plus all de other new ministers den deputy ministers swear into office de next day for Tuynhuys under de hand of Chief Justice Ray Zondo.

Insyd 24 March 2023, Chikunga deny claims wey de opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters make, say she sabotage demma National Shutdown protest wey happen on 20 March by instructing bus companies make dem cancel demma services and no transport EFF supporters wey wan go de protest.

 Robbery 
On 6 November 2023, three masked people rob Chikunga at gunpoint after her car stop for N3 highway outside Johannesburg to change tyre wey knack spike wey dem plant purposely. For one parliamentary inquiry, she talk say de robbers force ein bodyguards make dem lie flat for ground, den open de car door, point gun for ein head den force am make she come out. Dem carry ein laptop, phone, other personal things plus two pistols wey belong to ein bodyguards.

 Ein life matter 
Chikunga ein late ein husband ein poppie be person wey dem born for Malawi. She get two sons plus ein husband.

One of Chikunga ein sons, ein wife plus demma four kiddies die for car accident wey happen for N11 highway between Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal on 17 July 2022.

 References 

 External links 

Ms Sindi Chikunga at People's Assembly

Category:1958 births
Category:Human
Category:South African people
Category:Members of de National Assembly of South Africa 2024–2029
Category:Women government ministers of South Africa
Category:Zulu people
Category:Ministers of transport of South Africa
Category:Women's ministers of South Africa
Category:Members of de National Assembly of South Africa 2019–2024
Category:Members of de National Assembly of South Africa 2009–2014
Category:Members of de National Assembly of South Africa 2014–2019
Category:Zulu women
Category:21st-century South African women politicians