Babalo Madikizela

Madikizela started his career as a planner for the Municipal Mentoring Programme (MMP) and later found employment as a housing manager at the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality. He then worked for a fast-food restaurant in Mthatha and soon after started working in the construction industry.^[1]

Madikizela joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) at a young age. He served on the youth league's regional and provincial structures. He proceeded to serve on an ANC regional structure as an additional member and was later elected treasurer.^[1]

On 1 October 2017, Madikizela was elected provincial treasurer of the ANC.^[2][3] He was deployed to the provincial legislature in November 2018 and took office as an MPL on 13 November.^[4][5] On 18 November, premier Phumulo Masualle appointed Madikizela as MEC for Human Settlements.^[6] He assumed office on 21 November.

Following the May 2019 provincial election, premier Oscar Mabuyane appointed Madikizela as the Member of the Executive Council for Public Works.^[7][8] After his swearing-in, he availed himself for a lifestyle audit as he was accused of fraud and corruption by businessman Lonwabo Bam. Madikizela denied the allegations.^[9]

In May 2022, Madikizela challenged Oscar Mabuyane for provincial chairperson of the ANC in the Eastern Cape. He lost to Mabuyane, receiving 662 votes to Mabuyane's 812 votes. Zolile Williams replaced him as provincial treasurer.^[10] After his defeat, Madikizela announced that he would be resigning from the provincial government, and vacated his office on 29 July 2022.^[11] He said that he would remain a Member of the Provincial Legislature.^[12] Premier Mabuyane appointed Xolile Nqatha as the acting MEC for the portfolio until a permanent replacement had been appointed.^[13] Madikizela resigned from the Provincial Legislature on 2 August 2022.^[14] On 16 August, Ntombovuyo Nkopane became the new MEC for Public Works.^[15]

• Babalo Madikizela at People's Assembly