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[update].[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 |