Limakatso Mahasa
Limakatso Patricia Mahasa (born 12 December 1978) is a South African politician who currently serves as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in the Free State. A member of the African National Congress, she previously served as the MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs and as the MEC for Social Development. Early life and education. Mahasa was born in Maokeng, Kroonstad in the Orange Free State Province on 12 December 1978. She matriculated from Calculus High School. Mahasa went on to earn a qualification in Advanced Governance and  Public Leadership from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2016 and a competence certificate on strategic diplomacy from the University of Johannesburg in 2017. She is currently registered for the Management Advanced Programme at Wits. Political career. Mahasa joined the African National Congress Youth League at a young age. She was an ANCYL branch executive committee member, a member of the ANCYL regional executive committee in the Fezile Dabi region and a member of the Provincial Task Team (PTT) and the youth league's Provincial Executive Committee in the Free State. Mahasa was a secretary of an ANC Branch Executive  Committee, a member of the Fezile Dabi regional executive and a Provincial Task Team (PTT) member. Mahasa was employed as a secretary in the office of the chief whip in the Moqhaka Local Municipality between 2006 to 2007, when she became the personal assistant to the chief whip. In 2011, she was elected as an ANC PR councillor in the Moqhaka municipality and was appointed a manager in the speaker's office. Provincial government. In 2014, Mahasa was elected to the Free State Provincial Legislature. She was appointed a finance whip. She was elected chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of  Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Police and Premier in 2015. On 4 October 2016, Mahasa was appointed Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Social Development by premier Ace Magashule. On 9 May 2018, Mahasa was selected to be the MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs by newly premier Sisi Ntombela. Following the 2019 national and provincial elections, Mahasa became the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.