Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Refilwe Maria Mtsweni-Tsipane |
| Date of Birth | September 3, 1973 (age 51 years) |
| Place of Birth | Lynnville, Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Education | National Diploma in Human Resources Management, Tshwane University of Technology; Management Development Programme, University of Pretoria; Post Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Governance, University of the Witwatersrand School of Business |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Political Affiliation | African National Congress (ANC) |
| Notable Positions | Premier of Mpumalanga (March 2018 – June 2024); MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Member of Provincial Legislature; Various roles in ANC Women’s League and Youth League |
Early Life and Education
Refilwe Maria Mtsweni-Tsipane was born on September 3, 1973, in Lynnville, Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa. She attended Hlabirwa Commercial School in Limpopo, matriculating in 1990. She then pursued a National Diploma in Human Resources Management at the Tshwane University of Technology, graduating in 1993.
Political Career
Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane’s political career spans various roles within the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African government:
- Premier of Mpumalanga: She served as the Premier of Mpumalanga from March 2018 to June 2024. Before becoming Premier, she acted in this role and also served as MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2018.
- Member of Provincial Legislature: She has been a member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature since 2014.
- ANC Roles: Refilwe has held several leadership positions within the ANC, including Deputy Chief Whip of the majority party, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, and roles in various committees such as the Select Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements.
Other Political Engagements
Outside of her governmental roles, she has been actively involved in the ANC Women’s League and ANC Youth League at regional and provincial levels. She served as Regional Treasurer of the ANC Women’s League (Nkangala Region), Branch Secretary, and held other significant positions in the party.
Personal Life
Details regarding Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane’s personal life, including family and interests outside of politics, are not publicly available.
Conclusion
Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane’s journey from student activist to Premier of Mpumalanga underscores her dedication to public service and her significant contributions to South African politics. Her leadership roles within the ANC and government have positioned her as a key figure in promoting governance, development, and social justice in Mpumalanga and beyond.