Fikile Mbalula (born: 8 April 1971, Age: 52 years old) is a South African politician who has participated in activism and government-related activities from his teenage age till date. He is an active member of the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). Currently, he is on the National Executive Committee of the ANC and is the incumbent Minister for Transportation.
Having ventured into political activities as far back as 1986, Fikile is now 52 years old and has been active in the field for several decades. Thanks to the education he received along the way, he has been able to always ink several government positions. He is known for his love for knowledge in his field as he has obtained educational qualifications over the years.
Profile Summary Of Minister Fikile Mbalula
- Full Name: Fikile April Mbalula
- Date Of Birth: 8 April 1971
- Age: 52 years old
- Nationality: South Africa
- Occupation: Politician
- Education: Careers Research And Information Center, Organization for Appropriate Social Services
- Spouse: Nozuko Mbalula
- Political Party: African National Congress
The Politician Was Born In 1971
Fikile April Mbalula was born on April 8, 1971, in Botshabelo in the province of Free State in South Africa. He grew with his parents alongside his siblings in Free State where he started his political career. Details concerning his parents and siblings have been kept under wraps as nothing is known about them.
Fikile Mbalula Is Well Educated
Minister Fikile Mbalula is academically sound and has been extensively trained in leadership which has been his pillar to attaining remarkable positions in the government. He got his primary and secondary education in Free State. It was also in his hometown that he attended a tertiary institution, Free State College of Education, where he acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Mbalula also has a Master’s degree in the discipline.
Having witnessed the Apartheid government, the future political leader was determined to pursue his education in leadership. As a result, he was trained at the Careers Research and Information Center on Leadership Skills. Fikile was also trained by the Organization for Appropriate Social Services in South Africa as a Councillor in psychotherapy.
Fikile Mbalula Educational Qualifications
- Primary and secondary education in Free State, South Africa
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics
- Master’s degree in Economics
- Leadership training at the Careers Research and Information Center
- Councilor in psychotherapy at the Organization for Appropriate Social Services in South Africa
The Minister Ventured Into Politics At The Age Of 15
Minister Fikile Mbalula started participating in political activities in 1986, serving as the president of the Botshabelo Youth Congress till 1987. The same year, he became the Publicity Secretary of the Botshabelo Youth Congress and also the vice president of the Botshabelo Student congress. He further became an Area member of the United Democratic Font in 1989. Within a time frame of two years, he attained the position of the Secretary of the African National Congress Provisional Youth Committee in 1990.
The minister became the Regional Secretary of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in 1991 and was in service for 3 years which ended in 1994. His leadership skills spoke loud for him as he was elected as the Provincial Secretary of ANCYL and was in service from 1994 till 1996. He became active as the Secretary of the ANCYL Political Education from 1996 to 1998, before first serving as the Secretary-General of the ANCYL from 1998 to 2004 and then as the President of the ANCYL from 2004 to 2008.
Around the same time he was holding positions with the ANC, Fikile Mbalula went into service as a member of the Local Branch Executive Committee of the South African Youth Congress in 1998. He also became an affiliate member of Socialist International and a member of the Organization of Appropriate Social Services in South Africa.
In 2004, he became the president of the International Union of Socialist Youth and also was in service as the Coordinator of the SA Medical and Dental Association.
He Inked His First Ministerial Appointment At The Age Of 38
Fikile Mbalula’s first ministerial position was as the Deputy Minister of Police under the administration of President Jacob Zuma. He was in service from 2009 to 2010. He went on to bag another ministerial appointment as the Minister of Sports and Recreation when President Zuma reshuffled his cabinet. He served in this position from 2010 to 2014. In May 2014, he was reappointed as the Minister of Sports and Recreation of the Republic of South Africa and was active in service under the position till 2017.
The cabinet reshuffle on the 31st of March 2017 got him the position of Minister of Police which he completed in 2019.
Fikile Mbalula Became The Current Minister Of Transport At 48 Years
With his early venture into politics, Fikile Mbalula has achieved a lot in politics. From when he started his political career, he has been holding leadership roles, registering as a member in many political bodies, and getting involved in other political activities. It’s no doubt that the skills he acquired in leadership have been a factor that has helped him obtain his various political posts.
The President of the Republic of South Africa announced his cabinet after the concluded general election on 19th May 2019 of which Fikile was appointed as the Minister of Transport. He is currently seated in the office to date where he has been rendering his best services to his country with seeing to the safety of transportation-related matters.
Major Life Achievements Of The Minister
The politician who had ventured into political-related activities at the age of 15, has gone on to attain various political positions over the years. Below is a list of all the notable positions he has held to date.
- At the age of 15, he became the president of the Botshabelo Youth Congress.
- He became the Publicity Secretary of the Botshabelo Youth Congress and also the vice president of the Botshabelo Student congress at 16 years.
- At 19, he attained the position of the Secretary of the African National Congress Provisional Youth Committee.
- Fikile was elected as the Regional Secretary of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) at the age of 20.
- At 23 years, the politician was elected into the office of ANCYL as the Provincial Secretary.
- Fikile Mbalula held the position of the Secretary of the ANCYL Political Education at 25 years.
- At 27 years, he became the Secretary-General of the ANCYL.
- He headed two groups at the age of 33, becoming the President of the International Union of Socialist Youth and also the President of the ANCYL at the age of 33.
- The adept politician attained the position of the Deputy Minister of Police at the age of 38.
- At 39 years, he became the Minister of Sports and Recreation.
- Being a leadership figure, he also retained the position of the Minister of Sports and Recreation at 43 years.
- At 46 years, he became the Minister of Police.
- He attained his current position in government as the Minister of Transport at the age of 48.