Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Fulufhelo Florence Radzilani (née Dzhombere) |
| Date of Birth | April 21, 1971 (age 53 years) |
| Place of Birth | Ha-Masakona village, Limpopo Province |
| Occupation | MEC for Social Development in Limpopo |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree from the University of Venda, Diploma in Higher Education from the University of the North, Honours degree in Public Administration from the University of Limpopo, Diploma in Municipal Governance from Rand Afrikaans University, Certificate in Executive Leadership Management from the University of Pretoria |
| Family | Spouse: Stanley Radzilani (pastor) |
| Notable Roles | Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality (2011-2012, 2016-2018), MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison (2012-2013), MEC for Transport and Community Safety (2022-2024), MEC for Social Development (2024-present) |
| Political Affiliation | African National Congress (ANC) |
| Scandals | Implicated in VBS Mutual Bank corruption scandal |
| Party Positions | Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the ANC in Limpopo (2018-present) |
Early Life and Education
Fulufhelo Florence Radzilani was born on April 21, 1971, in Ha-Masakona village in what is now Limpopo province. She pursued her higher education with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Venda and a diploma in higher education from the University of the North. Later, she earned an Honours degree in public administration from the University of Limpopo, a diploma in municipal governance from Rand Afrikaans University, and a certificate in executive leadership management from the University of Pretoria. During her early years, she was active in the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League.
Early Political Career
Radzilani began her political career as an ANC councillor in the Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo from 2000 to 2006. She then served in a management position in the Office of the Limpopo Premier. Between 2007 and 2011, she was a Member of the Mayoral Committee for Technical Services in Vhembe District Municipality. From 2011 to 2012, she served as the Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality.
In October 2010, Radzilani was elected chairperson of the Vhembe regional branch of the ANC Women’s League. The following year, she became a member of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in Limpopo, serving as Deputy Provincial Secretary.
On March 15, 2012, Radzilani was sworn in as a Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature and appointed MEC for Safety, Security, and Liaison in Limpopo. However, in July 2013, Premier Stan Mathabatha reshuffled his executive, and Radzilani was replaced by Joyce Mashamba. Despite this setback, Radzilani remained active in the ANC, serving as an ordinary PEC member from 2014 and returning as Executive Mayor of Vhembe in 2016.
VBS Scandal and Aftermath
In 2018, Radzilani was implicated in a major corruption scandal at VBS Mutual Bank. An investigation commissioned by the South African Reserve Bank, led by advocate Terry Motau, accused Radzilani of demanding large kickbacks in exchange for keeping municipal funds deposited at VBS. The scandal, which saw VBS declared insolvent, alleged that Radzilani had received R300,000 in kickbacks. She denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the report was defamatory.
In December 2018, amidst ongoing criminal investigations, the ANC National Executive Committee requested Radzilani to step aside from all ANC activities. Subsequently, she resigned as Executive Mayor of Vhembe on December 11, 2018.
Despite the scandal, Radzilani was re-elected to the Limpopo Provincial Legislature in the 2019 general election. In September 2020, the ANC National Executive Committee decided she could return to her party leadership role. She was reinstated as ANC Deputy Provincial Chairperson and re-elected to a second term in June 2022.
Recent Career
After her re-election to the ANC office, Premier Stan Mathabatha appointed Radzilani as MEC for Transport and Community Safety on October 6, 2022. She was sworn in on October 11, 2022. Following the 2024 general election, the newly elected Premier Phophi Ramathuba appointed Radzilani as MEC for Social Development in June 2024.
Personal Life
Florence Radzilani is married to Stanley Radzilani, who is a pastor. Her personal and professional journey reflects a blend of resilience and controversy, marked by her rise in political ranks despite significant challenges.