Sihle Zikalala

QUICK FACTS
Birth Name:
Sihle Zikalala
Occupation:
Politician
Date of Birth
6 August 1973 (age 50)
Place of Birth
Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal
Nationality:
South Africa
Gender:
Male
Wife:
Nelly Zikalala
Education:
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Sihle Zikalala is the 8th Premier of KwaZulu Natal and Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress.

Who is Sihle Zikalala?

Sihle Zikalala was born on the 6 August 1973 in Ndwedwe in Natal. He joined the African National Congress in 1990 and became a full-time organiser for the party.

Sihle Zikalala’s wife and children

Sihle Zikalala married to Nelly Zikalala in April 2016 and the couple have three children.

Zihle and Nelly Zikala

Sihle Zikalala Qualifications

Sihle Zikalala holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science. In April 2017, he achieved a Bachelor of Administration Honours degree cum laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Commerce with the Graduate School of Business and Leadership.

Political Career

Sihle Zikalala was elected a councillor in 1996, serving in the Ilembe District Municipality. He was first elected as the Secretary general of the African National Congress Youth League. He was later elected as the Provincial Deputy Secretary and then became Provincial Secretary of the party.

He was sworn in as a Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on 26 November 2015. He filled the vacancy created by the resignation of Super Zuma.

In June 2016, newly-elected Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Willies Mchunu, reshuffled the Provincial Executive Council and appointed Zikalala to the post of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. He succeeded Michael Mabuyakhulu. Mabuyakhulu resigned the following day as a Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature. Zikalala was also appointed as Leader of Government Business in the legislature.

In July 2018, Zikalala was re-elected unopposed to a second term as Provincial Chairperson of the party.

Following the May 2019 elections, Zikalala was selected as the party’s KwaZulu-Natal Premier candidate, succeeding Willies Mchunu. He was elected to the office on 22 May 2019, and officially assumed the post on 27 May 2019.

What is Sihle Zikalala’s Twitter account?

Sihle Zikalala is on Twitter and his official handle is @sziks.