Bonginkosi Madikizela

Madikizela was born in Port Shepstone, Natal on 15 March 1975.{{cite news |last1=Lutchman |first1=Chanelle |title=New Cape DA leader has deep roots in Chatsworth |url=https://www.iol.co.za/thepost/news/new-cape-da-leader-has-deep-roots-in-chatsworth-11803589 |access-date=15 April 2021 |agency=Independent Online |date=1 November 2017}} His aunt was prominent anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela Mandela.{{cite news |title=Being Black in the DA |url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/mail-guardian/20090924/281857229581827 |access-date=15 April 2021 |agency=Mail & Guardian |date=24 September 2019}} His brother was murdered in 1990 and he then moved to Chatsworth, living in Welbedacht. Madikizela and a community leader formed the Welbedacht Development Forum to assist the poor residents of the community. In 1991, he dropped out of Asoka Secondary School and worked at a shoe factory shop in Croftdene. In 1998, Madikizela moved to Cape Town to live with his brother. His brother helped him enrol at a computer school and Madikizela soon started studying human resource management at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Madikizela worked as a car guard at a theme park. He soon moved back to Chatsworth and completed a course in computer training. He also became a member of the Chatsworth Child Welfare organisation. Madikizela moved back to Cape Town in 2002 and became active in politics.

File:MEC Madikizela (2).jpg

Madikizela had previously been an active member of the ANC. He became prominent in 2005, when he led a group of disaffected ANC members in the Makhaza area of Khayelitsha who had been supportive of former Western Cape Premier and ANC Provincial Chairperson Ebrahim Rasool in his leadership battle with Mcebisi Skwatsha.[https://mg.co.za/article/2009-09-26-being-black-in-the-da Being black in the DA]. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.

After Skwatsha won the leadership election, Madikizela and some of Rasool's supporters in Khayelitsha claimed that they were being marginalised, and later excluded as possible ANC candidates for the local government elections in 2006. In early 2006, Madikizela along with several other ANC members, including some party councillors, were expelled from the party after it became known of their intention to contest the local government elections as independent candidates.{{cite web|last=Mtyala|first=Quinton|title=Dissidents challenge ANC in local elections|url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/citypress/2006/01/15/C1/2/02.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410010728/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/citypress/2006/01/15/C1/2/02.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2013|work=City Press|accessdate=25 March 2013}}{{cite web|last=Mariane|first=Merten|title=Crackdown on ANC poll rebels|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2006-01-27-crackdown-on-anc-poll-rebels|work=Mail and Guardian|date=27 January 2006|accessdate=25 March 2013}}

Although he was not elected as a councillor, Madikizela remained politically active, joining the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in 2007. He was appointed the party's Cape Town Metro Regional Secretary until a party investigation found that he had secretly convinced party members to join the Democratic Alliance.{{cite web|last=Hartley|first=Aziz|title=Madikizela recruited for the DA - UDM|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/madikizela-recruited-for-the-da-udm-1.416548#.UVGwSzfkeHg|work=Cape Times|publisher=INLSA|accessdate=26 March 2013}}

He was subsequently hired as a communication officer at the City of Cape Town, and later a spokesperson in the office of former Mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

He officially became a member of DA in October 2008. His aunt, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, sent two messengers to him "to try and talk some sense" into him. They said that Madikizela-Mandela had said that what he was doing to the ANC was "very embarrassing". Following the April 2009 general election, newly elected premier Helen Zille appointed him to the post of Provincial Minister of Housing.

During his tenure as Provincial Minister of Housing, Madikizela had been embroiled in a number of controversies surrounding housing developments in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha. He had been accused by the Mandela Park Backyarders as well as journalists of breaking a promise of giving residents of the community houses in new Mandela Park developments.{{cite web|date=23 Sep 2009|title=Sowetan: MEC under siege over 'false promise'|url=http://www.abahlali.org/node/5739|publisher=Abahlali baseMjondolo}} The controversy resulted in large demonstrations and blockades against construction in the community.{{cite web|date=12 Nov 2009|title=Hundreds Protested Yesterday|url=http://antieviction.org.za/2009/11/12/hundreds-protested-yesterday-in-mandela-park-after-assault-by-chippa-security-guards-demostrations-to-continue/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009232142/http://antieviction.org.za/2009/11/12/hundreds-protested-yesterday-in-mandela-park-after-assault-by-chippa-security-guards-demostrations-to-continue/#|archive-date=2010-10-09|access-date=2010-10-07|publisher=Anti-Eviction Campaign}}{{cite web|date=9 Sep 2010|title=Construction suspended, still no official response|url=http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/socialmovements/66813|publisher=Pambazuka News}} The community of Mandela Park had also accused the MEC of refusing to meet with them.{{cite web|date=7 Oct 2010|title=Claims of illegal RDP sales in Mandela Park|url=http://westcapenews.com/?p=2138|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916102307/http://westcapenews.com/?p=2138|archive-date=16 September 2010|access-date=7 October 2010|publisher=WestCapeNews}} In September 2010, the ANC called for his resignation after his answer to a parliamentary question from the ANC's Pierre Uys over the provision of housing in the Western Cape. Madikizela had said "unfortunately" there was no influx control to regulate the movement of people into the Western Cape. The ANC called for Helen Zille to fire him, angered that he had linked the provision of services to the apartheid policy of influx control.{{cite web|last=Mtyala|first=Quinton|title='People Must Come before Houses'|url=https://www.questia.com/library/1G1-236321722/people-must-come-before-houses|work=Cape Times|publisher=INLSA|accessdate=26 March 2013}} Madikizela was appointed as Provincial Minister of Human Settlements following his re-election in May 2014.[https://mg.co.za/article/2009-05-08-zille-appoints-western-cape-cabinet Zille appoints Western Cape Cabinet]. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.[https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/premier-zilles-new-cape-cabinet-1691800 Premier Zille’s new Cape cabinet]. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.

In April 2015, Madikizela was elected deputy provincial leader of the Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape, unseating DA veteran Theuns Botha.{{cite news |title=De Lille crowned new Western Cape DA leader |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2015-04-18-de-lille-crowned-new-western-cape-da-leader/ |accessdate=19 March 2020 |newspaper=Mail & Guardian |date=18 April 2015}} He was subsequently named the acting provincial leader in February 2017, when incumbent Patricia de Lille resigned. He was elected to the position for a full term on 7 October 2017.[https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/de-lille-resigns-as-da-provincial-leader-2097385 De Lille resigns as DA provincial leader]. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.[https://www.enca.com/south-africa/bonginkosi-madikizela-elected-da-western-cape-interim-leader Bonginkosi Madikizela elected DA Western Cape acting leader]. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.[https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/wccongress-madikizela-elected-as-das-provincial-leader-11514383 #WCcongress: Madikizela elected as DA’s provincial leader]. Retrieved on 24 July 2019.

Madikizela was appointed as Provincial Minister of Transport and Public Works by newly elected premier Alan Winde in May 2019. Madikizela was also the Leader of Government Business in the Provincial Parliament.[https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2019-05-23-western-cape-premier-alan-windes-cabinet-a-mix-of-old-and-new/ Western Cape premier Alan Winde's cabinet a mix of old and new]. Retrieved on 23 May 2019.

In October 2019, he declared his intention to run for interim Federal Leader of the DA following Mmusi Maimane's resignation.Mailovich, Claudi. [https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2019-10-31-da-leadership-race-to-replace-mmusi-maimane-is-in-full-swing/ DA leadership race to replace Mmusi Maimane is in full swing], BusinessLIVE, 31 October 2019. Retrieved on 8 November 2019. Madikizela dropped out of the leadership race on 11 November 2019.Tandwa, Lizeka, Madia, Tshidi. [https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/bonginkosi-madikizela-pulls-out-of-da-leadership-race-20191111 Bonginkosi Madikizela pulls out of DA leadership race], News24, 11 November 2019. Retrieved on 11 November 2019. John Steenhuisen was elected interim leader on 17 November 2019.

On 26 January 2020, Madikizela announced that he would consider running for DA Federal Leader at the party's Federal Congress.{{cite news |last1=Charles |first1=Marvin |title=Bonginkosi Madikizela says he will be running for DA leader role |url=https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/bonginkosi-madikizela-says-he-will-be-running-for-da-leader-role-41421965 |accessdate=26 January 2020 |newspaper=IOL |date=26 January 2020 |location=Cape Town}} He declined to run for the post on 10 February 2020.{{cite news |last1=Makinana |first1=Andisiwe |title=Western Cape DA leader Bonginkosi Madikizela will not stand for federal leadership position |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2020-02-10-western-cape-da-leader-bonginkosi-madikizela-will-not-stand-for-federal-leadership-position/ |accessdate=10 February 2020 |newspaper=TimesLIVE |date=10 February 2020}} He then declared his intention to seek re-election as provincial leader. In mid-November 2020, Madikizela was accused of plotting to assassinate his main competitor for the position, Masizole Mnqasela, the speaker of the provincial parliament.{{cite news |last1=Deklerk |first1=Aphiwe |last2=Matiwane |first2=Zimasa |title=DA Western Cape leader accused of plot to kill rival for top job |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2020-11-15-da-western-cape-leader-accused-of-plot-to-kill-rival-for-top-job/ |accessdate=21 November 2020 |agency=The Sunday Times |date=15 November 2020|url-access=subscription}} The Federal Legal Commission of the DA "cleared" him of any wrongdoing on 20 November.{{cite news |last1=Deklerk |first1=Aphiwe |title=DA clears Bonginkosi Madikizela of Masizole Mnqasela 'murder plot' |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/politics/2020-11-20-da-clears-bonginkosi-madikizela-of-masizole-mnqasela-murder-plot/ |accessdate=21 November 2020 |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=20 November 2020}} Madikizela was re-elected as provincial leader on 21 November.{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Jenni |title=Bonginkosi Madikizela calls for party unity after being elected DA Western Cape leader |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/bonginkosi-madikizela-calls-for-party-unity-after-being-elected-da-western-cape-leader-20201121 |accessdate=21 November 2020 |newspaper=News24 |date=21 November 2020}}

On 1 April 2021, acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka released a report that found that Madikizela had violated the Executive Ethics Codes by making misleading or false statements to the legislature about Brett Herron, a Good MPP. Herron had lodged the complaint. Madikizela rejected the legality of the report and said that he would be seeking legal advice.{{Cite news|last=Charles|first=Marvin|date=1 April 2021|title=Public Protector finds Western Cape MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela guilty of violating ethics code|work=News24|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/public-protector-finds-western-cape-mec-bonginkosi-madikizela-guilty-of-violating-ethics-code-20210401|access-date=15 April 2021}} On 6 April 2021, Madikizela announced that he had applied to be the DA's mayoral candidate for the City of Cape Town. He was up against incumbent mayor Dan Plato and the DA's finance spokesman, Geordin Hill-Lewis.{{Cite news|last=Deklerk|first=Aphiwe|date=6 April 2021|title=Cape Town DA in for a tight mayoral race as Bonginkosi Madikizela confirms his candidacy|work=TimesLIVE|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2021-04-06-cape-town-da-in-for-a-tight-mayoral-race-as-bonginkosi-madikizela-confirms-his-candidacy/|access-date=15 April 2021}}

On 13 April 2021, Daily Maverick reported that Madikizela did not have a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Human Resource Management as previously claimed and that he had misled a journalist in this regard.{{Cite news|date=13 April 2021|title=DA Western Cape chief Bonginkosi Madikizela does not have a BCom degree, as publicly claimed|work=The Daily Maverick|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-04-13-da-western-cape-chief-bonginkosi-madikizela-does-not-have-a-bcom-degree-as-publicly-claimed/|access-date=15 April 2021}} The next day, the DA subsequently announced that its Federal Legal Commission would investigate claims that he lied about having a BCom degree.{{Cite news|last=Letshwiti-Jones|first=Pule|date=14 April 2021|title=DA to investigate claims that Bonginkosi Madikizela falsified varsity qualifications|work=News24|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/da-to-investigate-claims-that-bonginkosi-madikizela-falsified-varsity-qualifications-20210414|access-date=15 April 2021}} Premier Winde suspended Madikizela as Provincial Minister for Transport and Public Works for 14 days effective immediately on 15 April and appointed Tertuis Simmers as acting Provincial Minister.{{Cite news|last=Charles|first=Mervin|date=15 April 2021|title=Western Cape Premier Alan Winde suspends Bonginkosi Madikizela over false degree claims|work=News24|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/western-cape-premier-alan-winde-suspends-bonginkosi-madikizela-over-false-degree-claims-20210415|access-date=15 April 2021}} Hours later, the DA provincial chairperson, Jaco Londt, sent a letter to party structures informing them that Madikizela had "voluntarily stepped aside" as provincial leader for the next two weeks and that deputy leader Albert Fritz would be acting provincial leader.{{Cite news|last=Makinana|first=Andisiwe|date=15 April 2021|title=Another blow for Madikizela as he steps aside as DA provincial leader|work=TimesLIVE|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2021-04-15-another-blow-for-madikizela-as-he-steps-aside-as-da-provincial-leader/|access-date=15 April 2021}}

On 28 April 2021, the DA announced that Madikizela had resigned as the provincial leader of the party in the Western Cape. Albert Fritz remained as acting provincial leader and was soon elected as interim provincial leader unopposed.{{cite news |title=BREAKING l Bonginkosi Madikizela resigns as DA Western Cape leader |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/breaking-bonginkosi-madikizela-resigns-as-da-western-cape-leader-20210428 |access-date=28 April 2021 |agency=News24 |date=28 April 2021}} Madikizela also resigned from the provincial cabinet and the provincial legislature.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/bonginkosi-madikizela-resigns-as-da-leader-in-western-cape-f7893cde-eb3f-481c-a97b-153c8f1289f7|title=Bonginkosi Madikizela resigns as DA leader in Western Cape}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.capetownetc.com/news/nomafrench-mbombo-resigns-as-da-womens-network-leader/|title=Nomafrench Mbombo resigns as DA Women's Network leader}} He said that he was not pressured to resign, but chose to resign out " of a sense honour".{{Cite news|last=Githahu|first=Mwangi|date=30 April 2021|title=Madikizela says he was not pressured to resign DA, MEC posts|work=IOL|location=Cape Town|url=https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/madikizela-says-he-was-not-pressured-to-resign-da-mec-posts-947096cd-4dbd-47a6-b80c-0eabc74570a2|access-date=30 April 2021}}

In January 2022, News24 reported that premier Winde intended to appoint Madikizela as a special advisor. The appointment was not immediate, because the Department of Public Service and Administration had to first vet the application to ensure that it is in line with associated regulations.{{Cite news|last=Charles|first=Marvin|date=5 January 2021|title=Bonginkosi Madikizela set to return to political scene as special advisor to Premier Winde|work=News24|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/bonginkosi-madikizela-set-to-return-to-political-scene-as-special-advisor-to-premier-winde-20220105|url-access=subscription|access-date=5 January 2021}} On 1 April 2022, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ayanda Dlodlo revealed in a reply to a parliamentary question by Good MP Brett Herron that Winde had written to the department asking that Madikizela be paid at salary level 4, which in 2021 had an entry level of R2,008,212 per year, but the department declined the request and instead approved salary level 3 for Madikizela, which pays about R1,739,784 per year.{{Cite web |last= |title=Ayanda Dlodlo blocks R2m salary for former DA leader Bonginkosi Madikizela |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2022-04-01-ayanda-dlodlo-blocks-r2m-salary-for-former-da-leader-bonginkosi-madikizela/ |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}

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Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality

Category:Xhosa people

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Category:Members of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament

Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2024–2029