Mbali Frazer

Mbali Frazer MPL
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education
In office 11 August 2022 – 14 June 2024
Premier	Nomusa Dube-Ncube
Preceded by	Kwazi Mshengu
Succeeded by	Sipho Hlomuka
Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 May 2014
Personal details
Born	Mbalenhle Cleopatra Frazer
Political party	African National Congress
Profession	Educator, politician

Mbalenhle Cleopatra Frazer, commonly known as Mbali Frazer, is a South African politician and former educator who was KwaZulu-Natal's Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education from August 2022 until June 2024. She has served in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature as an African National Congress MPL since 2014. Frazer was elected deputy provincial chairperson of the African National Congress Women's League in August 2023.

Career in the ANC

Frazer is a former teacher and trade unionist. In 2014, Frazer was elected to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on the ticket of the African National Congress. Frazer supported Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's unsuccessful ANC presidential campaign in 2017.[1] She was re-elected to the provincial legislature in 2019 and then elected as the chairperson of the public works committee. When Dlamini-Zuma came under scrutiny during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Frazer came to her defence.[1]

At the provincial African National Congress Women's League elective conference held from 4 to 7 August 2023, Frazer successfully contested the position of deputy provincial chairperson. She defeated Phumzile Mbatha-Cele for the position, winning with 649 votes to Mbatha-Cele's 545.[2]

Provincial government

Following the resignation of Sihle Zikalala as the premier of KwaZulu-Natal on 5 August 2022, Frazer, ANC MPL Amanda Mapena and Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube were shortlisted by the provincial ANC as possible candidates to succeed Zikalala.[1] The premier's position ultimately went to Dube-Ncube.[3] Following Dube-Ncube's election and inauguration, she named her executive council on 11 August 2022. Frazer was appointed as the MEC for Education, succeeding Kwazi Mshengu.[4][5][6] Trade unions welcomed her appointment.[7]

Frazer was re-elected to her seat in the provincial legislature in the 2024 provincial election, however, she was not reappointed to the Executive Council.[8]

References

1. Motha, Sandile (2022-08-07). "The women in the wings". Sunday World. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
2. Xulu, Khethukuthula (2023-08-07). "Nonhlanhla Khoza wins KZN ANCWL top position". Witness. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
3. Khumalo, Juniour. "Dube-Ncube's appointment as premier shows 'significant shift' for women leaders, says ANCYL". News24. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
4. "KZN Premier appoints four new MECs, Zikalala takes over Co-operative Governance portfolio". SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
5. "Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube: Introduction of the new members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
6. "KZN premier appoints new cabinet | eNCA". www.enca.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
7. Zondi, Nomonde. "Teacher unions welcome Mbali Frazer as new KZN Education MEC". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
8. "Provincial Legislatures" (PDF). Electoral Commission of South Africa. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.

External links

• Mbalenhle Cleopatra Frazer at People's Assembly