Quick Facts
| Full Name | Maropene Lydia Ramokgopa |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 31, 1979 |
| Place of Birth | Polokwane, former Transvaal, South Africa |
| Current Position | Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation |
| Previous Positions | Member of the National Assembly, Second Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC, Consul-General to Mumbai, Special Advisor to President Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Political Affiliation | African National Congress (ANC) |
| Notable Roles | Coordinator of ANC Women’s League interim task team, Acting Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture |
| Education | (Education details not specified) |
Early Life
Maropene Lydia Ramokgopa was born on December 31, 1979, in Polokwane, South Africa, in the former Transvaal. She grew up in Lebowakgomo, a township outside Polokwane. Her early years were marked by involvement in student activism.
Early Career
- Ward Councillor: In 2005, Ramokgopa began her political career as a ward councillor for the ANC in the Kgatelopele Local Municipality in the Northern Cape.
- Mayor: From 2006 to 2009, she served as the executive mayor of the Siyanda District Municipality in the Northern Cape, becoming the youngest mayor at the age of 26.
- Civil Service: Between 2009 and 2013, she worked as the manager of the Northern Cape Premier’s Office on the Status of Women.
Political and Party Roles
- ANC Women’s League: Elected to the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) National Executive Committee in 2008, she held various positions including managing the Young Women’s Desk and serving on the board of the National Youth Development Agency.
- ANC Youth League: She was a member of the ANC Youth League’s National Executive Committee and served on an interim task team leading the league after its leadership was disbanded in 2013.
Diplomatic and Civil Service Roles
- Ministerial Office: In 2014, Ramokgopa worked as a manager in the office of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
- Consul-General: Appointed South African Consul-General to Mumbai, India, in 2016.
- Special Advisor: Returned to South Africa to serve as Special Advisor to President Cyril Ramaphosa on international relations, initially focusing on the African Union.
National Government and Party Leadership
- ANC Leadership: In December 2022, she was elected as Second Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC. She was a supporter of President Ramaphosa’s re-election campaign and played a key role in the “women’s caucus” within the ANC.
- Member of Parliament: Sworn in as a Member of the National Assembly on February 6, 2023.
- Minister in the Presidency: Appointed on March 6, 2023, as Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation. Reappointed after the 2024 general election and sworn in again on July 3, 2024.
- Acting Minister: Briefly served as Acting Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in mid-2024 following Zizi Kodwa’s stepping aside due to corruption charges.
Maropene Ramokgopa’s career reflects a diverse and impactful role in South African politics, with significant contributions to local governance, national policy-making, and diplomatic relations.
