Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mzwanele Nyhontso |
| Date of Birth | 8 September 1973 (age 51 years) |
| Place of Birth | South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Party | Pan Africanist Congress of Azania |
| Current Role | Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development (since 30 June 2024) |
| Previous Roles | Member of the National Assembly, President of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania |
| Recognition | Recognized by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as the legitimate leader of the PAC |
Early Life and Education
Mzwanele Nyhontso was born on 8 September 1973 in South Africa. His early life and education details are not widely publicized, but his political career and leadership have been significantly impactful within the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC).
Political Career
Leadership in the PAC
In December 2018, Mzwanele Nyhontso was elected as the leader of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania. However, his leadership tenure has been characterized by significant internal conflicts and factional disputes within the party. Another faction of the PAC, led by Narius Moloto, claimed leadership at a different elective congress earlier that year, leading to ongoing disputes over the party’s legitimate leadership.
Despite these challenges, Nyhontso was recognized by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as the legitimate leader of the PAC. His leadership has continued to face opposition from Moloto and his supporters, creating a tumultuous environment within the party.
Parliamentary Career
In May 2019, Nyhontso was elected to the National Assembly as the PAC’s sole Member of Parliament. During his tenure, he served on several committees, including the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology, the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, and the Disciplinary Committee.
Nyhontso was re-elected as PAC leader in September 2019, while the faction led by Moloto re-elected him as leader in August 2019. The ongoing disputes led to a series of legal battles and leadership challenges within the PAC.
Legal Challenges and Reinstatement
In November 2020, Nyhontso’s membership in Parliament was suspended by Speaker Thandi Modise after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that his expulsion by Moloto’s faction could only be overturned by a court of law. Nyhontso challenged this decision in the Western Cape High Court, which ordered his interim reinstatement as an MP on 3 December 2020, pending a final court decision on the challenge to his removal.
In February 2021, the High Court dismissed an application by Moloto’s faction to appeal the interim ruling that reinstated Nyhontso as the PAC’s representative in the National Assembly. Despite this, Nyhontso’s parliamentary membership was set aside again in May 2021, leading him to seek further legal recourse.
On 23 June 2021, Nyhontso lost his parliamentary membership again, and Bennet Joko was sworn in to replace him. However, on 23 August 2021, the North Gauteng High Court recognized Nyhontso as the legitimate leader of the PAC based on a technicality related to Moloto’s notice of appeal not being received by the court’s registrar. This ruling declared Moloto’s August 2019 election invalid.
Nyhontso was able to reclaim his seat in the National Assembly and was sworn in again on 2 September 2021, replacing Joko.
Ministerial Appointment
On 30 June 2024, Mzwanele Nyhontso was appointed as the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development. This appointment marks a significant milestone in his political career, allowing him to influence and implement policies related to land reform and rural development in South Africa.
Personal Life
Details about Nyhontso’s personal life are limited. His career has been heavily focused on his political endeavors and leadership within the PAC, as well as his roles in the South African Parliament.