In South Africa, the Executive Council of a province is the cabinet of the provincial government.[1] The Executive Council consists of the Premier and five to ten other members,[2] who have the title "Member of the Executive Council", commonly abbreviated to "MEC".[1]
MECs are appointed by the Premier from amongst the members of the provincial legislature; the Premier can also dismiss them. The provincial legislature may force the Premier to reconstitute the council by passing a motion of no confidence in the Executive Council excluding the Premier; if the legislature passes a motion of no confidence in the Executive Council including the Premier, then the Premier and the MECs must resign.[2]
The Premier designates powers and functions to the MECs; conventionally they are assigned portfolios in specific areas of responsibility. They are accountable to the provincial legislature, both individually and as a collective, and must regularly report to the legislature on the performance of their responsibilities.[2]
The Western Cape, the only province to have adopted its own constitution, chose to call its executive council the "Provincial Cabinet", and its MECs "Provincial Ministers".[3]
Membership of executive councils
The following tables show the members of the nine Executive Councils as of 2022.[4]
Eastern Cape
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Oscar Mabuyane | 
| Finance, Economic Development and Environmental Affairs | Mlungisi Mvoko | 
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Zolile Williams | 
| Rural Development and Agrarian Reform | Nonkqubela Pieters | 
| Education | Fundile Gade | 
| Human Settlements | Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi | 
| Safety and Liaison | Xolile Nqatha | 
| Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture | Nonceba Kontsiwe | 
| Social Development | Bukiwe Fanta | 
| Health | Nomakhosazana Meth | 
| Public Works | Ntombovuyo Nkopane | 
Free State
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Mxolisi Dukwana | 
| Agriculture and Rural Development | Saki Mokoena | 
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Ketso Makume | 
| Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | Thabo Meeko | 
| Education | Makalo Mohale | 
| Health | Mathabo Leeto | 
| Police, Roads and Transport | Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae | 
| Provincial Treasury | Gadija Brown | 
| Public Works and Human Settlements | Dibolelo Mahlatsi | 
| Social Development | Motshidisi Koloi | 
| Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Limakatso Mahasa | 
Gauteng
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Panyaza Lesufi | 
| Economic Development | Tasneem Motara | 
| Safety and Security | Faith Mazibuko | 
| Transport and Logistics | Kedibone Diale | 
| Education and Youth Development | Matome Chiloane | 
| Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, e-Government, Research and Development | Mzikayifane Khumalo | 
| Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development | Lebogang Maile | 
| Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Morakane Mosupyoe | 
| Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment | Mbali Hlophe | 
| Health and Wellness | Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko | 
| Finance | Jacob Mamabolo | 
KwaZulu-Natal
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Nomusa Dube-Ncube | 
| Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development | Super Zuma | 
| Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation | Amanda Mapena | 
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Bongi Sithole-Moloi | 
| Economic Development and Tourism | Siboniso Duma | 
| Education | Mbali Frazer | 
| Finance | Peggy Nkonyeni | 
| Health | Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu | 
| Human Settlements and Public Works | Ntuthuko Mahlaba | 
| Social Development | Nonhlanhla Khoza | 
| Transport and Community Safety and Liaison | Sipho Hlomuka | 
Limpopo
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Stanley Mathabatha | 
| Agriculture | Thabo Mokone | 
| Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs | Basikopo Makamu | 
| Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | Rodgers Monama | 
| Education | Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya | 
| Health | Phophi Ramathuba | 
| Social Development | Nandi Ndalane | 
| Provincial Treasury | Seaparo Sekwati | 
| Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure | Nkakareng Rakgoale | 
| Transport and Community Safety | Florence Radzilani | 
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Nakedi Sibanda-Kekana | 
Mpumalanga
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane | 
| Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration | Busisiwe Shiba | 
| Community Safety, Security and Liaison | Vusi Shongwe | 
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Mandla Msibi | 
| Culture, Sport and Recreation | Thandi Shongwe | 
| Education | Bonakele Majuba | 
| Finance, Economic Development and Tourism | Nompumelelo Hlophe | 
| Health | Sasekani Manzini | 
| Human Settlements | Speedy Mashilo | 
| Public Works, Roads and Transport | Mandla Ndlovu | 
| Social Development | Lindiwe Ntshalintshali | 
North West
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Bushy Maape | 
| Agriculture and Rural Development | Desbo Mohono | 
| Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | Tsotso Tlhapi | 
| Education | Viola Motsumi | 
| Finance | Motlalepula Rosho | 
| Health | Madoda Sambatha | 
| Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs | Nono Maloyi | 
| Public Works and Roads | Oagile Saliva Molapisi | 
| Community Safety and Transport Management | Sello Lehari | 
| Social Development, Women, Children and People With Disabilities | Boitumelo Moiloa | 
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Kenetswe Mosenogi | 
Northern Cape
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Zamani Saul | 
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Desery Finies | 
| Transport and Safety Liaison | Nomandla Bloem | 
| Finance, Economic Development and Tourism | Abraham Vosloo | 
| Health | Maruping Lekwene | 
| Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs | Bentley Vass | 
| Education | Zolile Monakali | 
| Land Reform, Agriculture and Nature Conservation and Environmental Affairs | Mase Manopole | 
| Roads and Public Works | Fufe Makatong | 
| Social Development | Nontobeko Vilakazi | 
| Youth, Women, Disability, Communications and E-Government | Venus Blennies | 
Western Cape
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Alan Winde | 
| Finance and Economic Opportunities | Mireille Wenger | 
| Community Safety and Police Oversight | Reagen Allen | 
| Education | David Maynier | 
| Health and Wellness | Nomafrench Mbombo | 
| Infrastructure | Tertuis Simmers | 
| Social Development | Sharna Fernandez | 
| Mobility | Ricardo Mackenzie | 
| Agriculture | Ivan Meyer | 
| Cultural Affairs and Sport | Anroux Marais | 
| Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning | Anton Bredell | 
References
- 1 2 "Provincial government". SouthAfrica.info. Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- 1 2 3 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, Chapter 6: "Provinces", ss. 125โ141
- โ Constitution of the Western Cape, 1997, Chapter 4: "Executive".
- โ "Contact list: MECs of the Provincial Governments" (PDF). Government Communication and Information System. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.