Fikile Mbalula

Fikile Mbalula
Mbalula in 2019
17th Secretary-General of the African National Congress
Incumbent
Assumed office 19 December 2022
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Deputy	Maropene Ramokgopa Nomvula Mokonyane
Preceded by	Ace Magashule
8th President of the African National Congress Youth League
In office August 2004 – April 2008
Deputy	Rubben Mohlaloga
Preceded by	Malusi Gigaba
Succeeded by	Julius Malema
Government offices 2009–2023 Minister of Transport In office 30 May 2019 – 6 March 2023 President Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy Sindisiwe Chikunga Preceded by Blade Nzimande Succeeded by Sindisiwe Chikunga Minister of Police In office 31 March 2017 – 26 February 2018 President Jacob Zuma Preceded by Nathi Nhleko Succeeded by Bheki Cele Minister of Sport and Recreation In office 1 November 2010 – 31 March 2017 President Jacob Zuma Preceded by Makhenkesi Stofile Succeeded by Thulas Nxesi Deputy Minister of Police In office May 2009 – October 2010 President Jacob Zuma Minister Nathi Mthethwa Succeeded by Maggie Sotyu Member of the National Assembly In office 22 May 2019 – 6 March 2023 In office 6 May 2009 – 26 February 2018
Personal details
Born	Fikile April Mbalula (1971-04-08) 8 April 1971 (age 53) Botshabelo, Orange Free State South Africa
Political party	African National Congress
Spouse	Nozuko Mbalula
Children	3
Nicknames	Mbaks Vutha

Fikile April Mbalula (born 8 April 1971) is a South African politician who has been the Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) since December 2022. He was a cabinet minister between 2010 and 2023, most proximately as Minister of Transport from 2019 to 2023.

Mbalula rose to national political prominence as the President of the ANC Youth League between 2004 and 2008. During this period, he became an outspoken supporter of Jacob Zuma, whom he supported at the ANC's 2007 Polokwane conference. At the same conference, he was elected to the ANC National Executive Committee for the first time and became the party's head of elections and organisation, in which capacity he coordinated its campaign in the 2009 general election. He continued to play a central role in the ANC's subsequent election campaigns.

After Mbalula joined the National Assembly in May 2009, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Police by Zuma, who was newly elected as President of South Africa. He went on to serve in Zuma's cabinet as Minister of Sport and Recreation from 2010 to 2017 and as Minister of Police from 2017 to 2018. He maintained a prominent public profile in both positions, even as his standing in the ANC suffered due to his falling out with Zuma and his unsuccessful bid to be elected as ANC Secretary-General in 2012.

Although he was initially excluded from the cabinet of Zuma's successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mbalula returned as Minister of Transport from May 2019 to March 2023. He left government in order to take up his full-time position as ANC Secretary-General, which he won at the ANC's 55th National Conference in December 2022.