Fikile Mbalula
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The Honourable Fikile April Mbalula MP |
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|---|---|
| Minister of Sport and Recreation | |
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Assumed office 1 November 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Makhenkesi Stofile |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
8 April 1971 Adelaide, Eastern Cape |
| Political party | African National Congress |
Fikile Mbalula (born 8 April 1971 in the Free State) is the Minister of Sport and Recreation in the Cabinet of South Africa, a former deputy minister of police, a member of the national executive committee of the African National Congress and former leader of the African National Congress Youth League.
Mbalula was appointed deputy minister of police in the cabinet of Jacob Zuma in May 2009 and is now the minister of sport and recreation after President Jocob Zuma changed his cabinet after lobbying from the ANC Youth League and possibly as a reward for loyalty towards Zuma, according to media speculation.
In the 2009 general elections he was the manager of the ANC election campaign, which was considered highly successful.
Mbalula was elected to the ANC NEC at the party's Polokwane conference in December 2007 in 15th place, measured in number of votes. He subsequently retired as president of the ANC Youth League of which, at age 36, he was no longer eligible to be a member.
Mbalula was elected president of the ANC Youth League in August 2004, having previously held the post of secretary general.
Mbalula has been credited with installing South African President Thabo Mbeki in that position, and for later deposing him as head of the ANC. His support has also been described as key in gaining Zuma the ANC presidency in a hard-fought race with Mbeki.
He also supported the candidacy of Julius Malema to succeed him as head of the Youth League in what was seen as a move to ensure continuing League support for Zuma.
Apart from politics, he is an ardent supporter of the Kaizer Chiefs Football Club based in Naturena.
Known for his disregard for speaking conventions, Mbalula has several times made headlines with controversial statements. In June 2007 he likened the University of KwaZulu-Natal to Bombay, saying black students were left on the periphery while those of Indian descent swelled the ranks.
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Wikipedia