Executive Council (South Africa)
In South Africa, the Executive Council of a province is the cabinet of the provincial government.[1] The Executive Council consists of the Premier and five to ten other members,[2] who have the title "Member of the Executive Council", commonly abbreviated to "MEC".[1]
MECs are appointed by the Premier from amongst the members of the provincial legislature; he or she can also dismiss them. The provincial legislature may force the Premier to reconstitute the council by passing a motion of no confidence in the Executive Council excluding the Premier; if the legislature passes a motion of no confidence in the Executive Council including the Premier, then the Premier and the MECs must resign.[2]
The Premier designates powers and functions to the MECs; conventionally they are assigned portfolios in specific areas of responsibility. They are accountable to the provincial legislature, both individually and as a collective, and must regularly report to the legislature on the performance of their responsibilities.[2]
The Western Cape, the only province to have adopted its own constitution, chose to call its Executive Council the "Provincial Cabinet", and its MECs "Provincial Ministers".[3]
Membership of executive councils
The following tables show the members of the nine Executive Councils as of 2013.[4]
Eastern Cape
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | Phumulo Masualle |
| Economic Development and Environmental Affairs | Mcebisi Jonas |
| Education and Training | Mandla Makupula |
| Finance and Provincial Planning | Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha |
| Health | Sicelo Gqobana |
| Human Settlements | Helen August-Sauls |
| Local Government and Traditional Affairs | Mlibo Qhoboshiane |
| Roads and Public Works | Thandiswa Lynette Marawu |
| Transport, Safety and Liaison | Weziwe Tikana |
| Rural Development and Agrarian Reform | Zoleka Capa |
| Social Development, Women, Children and People With Disabilities | Pemmy Majodina |
| Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture | Xoliswa Tom |
Free State
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | Ace Magashule |
| Agriculture | Mamiki Qabathe |
| Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements | Olly Mlamleli |
| Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | Mosebenzi Zwane |
| Education | Tate Pule Makgoe |
| Health | Benny Malakoane |
| Police, Roads and Transport | B.M. Komphela |
| Provincial Treasury | Elzabe Rockman |
| Public Works and Rural Development | Sisi Elisa Mabe |
| Social Development | Sefora Sisi Ntombela |
| Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Dan Kgothule |
Gauteng
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | David Makhura |
| Agriculture, Environment, Rural Development and Social Development | Faith Mazibuko |
| Community Safety | Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane |
| Economic Development | Lebogang Maile |
| Education | Panyaza Lesufi |
| Finance | Barbara Creecy |
| Health | Qedani Mahlangu |
| Human Settlements and Local Government | Jacob Mamabolo |
| Infrastructure Development | Nandi Mayathula-Khoza |
| Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture | Molebatsi Bopape |
| Transport | Ismail Vadi |
KwaZulu-Natal
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | Senzo Mchunu |
| Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development | Bonginkosi Meshack Radebe |
| Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation | Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetla |
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Nomusa Dube |
| Economic Development and Tourism | Mike Mabuyakhulu |
| Education | Senzo Edward Mchunu |
| Finance | Catharina Magdalena Cronje |
| Health | Sibongiseni Maxwell Dhlomo |
| Human Settlements and Public Works | Ravi Pillay |
| Social Development | Weziwe Gcotyelwa Thusi |
| Transport and Community Safety and Liaison | Thembinkosi Willies Mchunu |
Limpopo
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | Cassel Mathale |
| Agriculture | Jacob Marule |
| Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs | Clifford Motsepe |
| Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | Seaparo Sekwati |
| Education* | Namane Dickson Masemola |
| Health and Social Development* | Norman Mabasa |
| Provincial Treasury* | David Masondo |
| Public Works* | Thabitha Mohlala |
| Roads and Public Transport* | Pitsi Moloto |
| Safety, Security and Liaison | Florence Dzhombere |
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba |
* The Limpopo government has been placed under intervention by the national government and responsibility for the Provincial Treasury and the Departments of Education, Health, Public Works, and Roads and Public Transport has been assumed by members of the national executive.
Mpumalanga
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | David Mabuza |
| Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration | Violet Siwela |
| Community Safety, Security and Liaison | Vusi Shongwe |
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Simon Piet Sikhosana |
| Culture, Sport and Recreation | Sbongile Manana |
| Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | Yvonne Pinky Phosa |
| Education | Regina Mhaule |
| Finance | Madala Masuku |
| Health and Social Development | Candith Mashego-Dlamini |
| Human Settlements | Andries Gumede |
| Public Works, Roads and Transport | Dikeledi Mahlangu |
North West
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | Supra Mahumapelo |
| Agriculture and Rural Development | Desbo Sefanyetso Mohono |
| Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | Motlalepule Rosho |
| Education | Louisa Lerato Mabe |
| Finance | Paul Sebegoe |
| Health | Magome Masike |
| Human Settlements, Safety and Liaison | Nono Maloyi |
| Local Government and Traditional Affairs | China Dodovu |
| Public Works, Roads and Transport | Raymond Elisha |
| Social Development, Women, Children and People With Disabilities | Mosetsanagape Mokomela-Mothibi |
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Tebogo Modise |
Northern Cape
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | Sylvia Lucas |
| Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development | Norman Shushu |
| Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs | Alvin Botes |
| Education | Grizelda Cjiekella |
| Environment and Nature Conservation | Cukelwa Magdalene Tiny Chotelo |
| Finance, Economic Affairs and Tourism | John Block |
| Health | McCollen Ntsikelelo Jack |
| Roads and Public Works | Dawid Rooi |
| Social Services and Population Development | Mxolisa Simon Sokatsha |
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Lebogang James Motlhaping |
| Transport, Safety and Liaison | Martha Barbra Bartlett |
Western Cape
| Portfolio | MEC |
| Premier | Helen Zille |
| Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism | Alan Winde |
| Community Safety | Dan Plato |
| Cultural Affairs and Sport | Nomafrench Mbombo |
| Education | Debbie Schafer |
| Finance | Ivan Meyer |
| Health | Theuns Botha |
| Human Settlements | Bonginkosi Madikizela |
| Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning | Anton Bredell |
| Social Development | Albert Fritz |
| Transport and Public Works | Donald Grant |
References