Maruping Lekwene
South African politician (born 1969)
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Maruping Matthews Lekwene (born 14 September 1969) is a South African politician who served as the Northern Cape MEC for Health from June 2020 until November 2025. He has been a Member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature for the African National Congress from June 2014 until November 2025.[1] He was the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism from May 2019 until June 2020.[2] Lekwene is also the provincial chairperson of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the ANC's deputy provincial secretary.[3][4]
Maruping Lekwene | |
|---|---|
| Northern Cape MEC for Health | |
| In office 26 June 2020 – 5 November 2025 | |
| Premier | Zamani Saul |
| Preceded by | Mase Manopole |
| Succeeded by | Nontobeko Vilakazi |
| Northern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism | |
| In office 29 May 2019 – 26 June 2020 | |
| Premier | Zamani Saul |
| Preceded by | Mac Jack |
| Succeeded by | Abraham Vosloo |
| Member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature | |
| Assumed office June 2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Maruping Matthews Lekwene 14 September 1969 |
| Party | African National Congress South African Communist Party |
| Occupation | Politician |
Criticism
In December 2019, Lekwene announced that the trading hours of liquor stores in the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality would be extended during the ANC's 108th birthday celebrations from 8 to 11 January 2020. Under this notice, licensed liquor stores could trade for 24-hours during the period of the extension. The African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) criticised this notice and called for it to be revoked. Lekwene later reversed the decision.[5][6][7]
