Xola Nqola
{{Short description|South African politician (born 1986)}}
{{Use South African English|date = July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Xola Nqola
| honorific-suffix = MP
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| office = Member of the National Assembly
| status =
| term_start = 22 May 2019
| term_end =
| constituency = Eastern Cape (2019–2024)
| office1 = Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development
| predecessor1 = Bulelani Magwanishe
| termstart1 = 9 July 2024
| office2 = Chairperson of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee
| predecessor2 = Mathole Motshekga
| alongside2 = Enock Mthethwa
| termstart2 = 7 December 2023
| termend2 = 28 May 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|08|12|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
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| party = African National Congress
| otherparty =
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| education =
| alma_mater = Walter Sisulu University
| profession =
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| website =
| citizenship = South Africa
| honorific_prefix = The Honourable
}}
Xola Nqola (born 12 August 1986) is a South African politician from the Eastern Cape. A member of the African National Congress (ANC), he is the chairperson of the National Assembly of South Africa's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development.
Nqola is a lawyer by training and joined the National Assembly in May 2019. He was the interim convenor of the ANC Youth League from April 2023 until June 2023, when he was removed from the position under controversial circumstances.
Early life and career
Nqola was born on 12 August 1986.{{Cite web |date=10 April 2024 |title=Final Candidate Lists for 2024 National and Provincial Elections: National Candidates |url=https://www.elections.org.za/pw/Documents/Candidates-List-NPE2024/National%20Candidates%20List.pdf |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Electoral Commission of South Africa}} He attended the Walter Sisulu University, where he completed an LLB and where he became active in student politics through the South African Students Congress and the Youth League of the African National Congress (ANC).{{Cite web |title=Alumni & Convocation |url=http://www.wsu.ac.za/waltersisulu/index.php/alumni-convocation/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Walter Sisulu University |language=en-US}} He also completed a course in thought leadership at the University of South Africa's Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute.
Nqola spent stints as an office administrator, as a civil servant in the Engcobo Local Municipality, and as a regional organiser for the ANC in the Eastern Cape. After his LLB graduation and before he became a full-time politician, he was a candidate attorney at Makangela Mntungani Incorporated in Mthatha and Litha Madikizela and Company in Ngcobo.{{Cite web |title=ANC MPs: Xola Nqola |url=https://www.ancparliament.org.za/anc-mps/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=ANC Parliamentary Caucus |language=en-US}}
National Assembly: 2019–present
= Sixth Parliament: 2019–2024 =
Nqola became a parliamentary candidate for the ANC in the May 2019 general election. He appeared seventh on the ANC's party list for the Eastern Cape constituency and qualified for a seat in the National Assembly, the lower house of the South African Parliament.{{cite news |date=15 May 2019 |title=These are the people who will represent you in Parliament, provincial legislatures |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/Elections/News/see-these-are-the-people-who-will-represent-you-in-parliament-provincial-legislatures-20190515 |access-date=13 April 2021 |newspaper=News24}} In the aftermath of the election he was appointed to represent the ANC as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, a member of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee, and an alternate member of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation.{{cite web |date=27 June 2019 |title=Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports |url=https://www.aprav.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/List-of-members-of-all-the-Portfolio-Committees-for-the-6th-Parliament-published-27-June-2019.pdf |accessdate=13 April 2020 |website=APRAV |via=Parliament of the Republic of South Africa}}
In an October 2019 meeting of the justice committee, Nqola proposed the shortlisting of Kholeka Gcaleka as a candidate for the position of Deputy Public Protector,{{cite news |last1=Makinana |date=24 October 2019 |title=Mbuyiseni Ndlozi rejects nomination of Gigaba's ex-adviser as deputy public protector |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-10-24-effs-ndlozi-objects-to-gigabas-former-adviser-being-on-deputy-public-protector-shortlist/ |access-date=13 April 2021 |newspaper=SowetanLIVE}} and Gcaleka became the successful candidate in 2020. In subsequent years Nqola was a member of the ad hoc committee that recommended the impeachment of the incumbent Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane; the ANC delegated him to the committee as a non-voting member when it was established on 7 April 2021.{{Cite web |last=Gerber |first=Jan |date=7 April 2021 |title=Parliament names committee which will determine Mkhwebane's fate, RET faction snubbed |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/parliament-names-committee-which-will-determine-mkhwebanes-fate-ret-faction-snubbed-20210407 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Makinana |first1=Andisiwe |date=7 April 2021 |title=Parties deploy heavyweights for Busisiwe Mkhwebane probe |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2021-04-07-parties-deploy-heavyweights-for-busisiwe-mkhwebane-probe/ |access-date=13 April 2021 |newspaper=Sunday Times}} During the impeachment inquiry, Nqola frequently clashed with Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters, who was among Mkhwebane's defenders; during one such spat in July 2022, Malema called him "a political wannabe",{{Cite news |last=Maqhina |first=Mayibongwe |date=15 July 2022 |title=Mpofu no letting Cyril off hook |url=https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/mpofu-no-letting-cyril-off-hook-6cbb6646-297a-417b-8866-dec743167ec3 |access-date=20 July 2024 |work=Cape Times}} and in an infamous exchange in November 2022 Malema accused Nqola of political "opportunism" and of "suffering from the mind of a peanut, a mind the size of a rat's poo-poo".{{Cite web |last=Thamm |first=Marianne |date=2022-11-05 |title=The major foes of South Africa's constitutional democracy feature in Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fight of a lifetime |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-11-05-the-major-foes-of-sas-constitutional-democracy-star-in-busisiwe-mkhwebanes-fight-of-a-lifetime/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Macupe |first=Bongekile |date=29 October 2022 |title=A day in Parliament: 'You have the mind of a peanut' and 'you are a cockroach' |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/a-day-in-parliament-you-have-the-mind-of-a-rat-and-you-are-a-cockroach-20221029 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=City Press |language=en-US}}
On 7 December 2023, Nqola was elected as co-chairperson of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee, which is tasked with conducting an annual review of the South African Constitution; his co-chairperson was Enock Mthethwa of the National Council of Provinces, and he was elected to replace Mathole Motshekga, the former chairperson from the National Assembly.{{Cite web |date=7 December 2023 |title=Election of Co-Chairperson |url=https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/38228/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Parliamentary Monitoring Group |language=en}}
In addition to his committee appointments, Nqola led the ANC's constituency office in Burgersdorp, Eastern Cape from 2022 to 2024.{{Cite web |title=Xola Nqola |url=http://www.pa.org.za/person/xola-nqola/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=People's Assembly |language=en}} In March 2024, he was sanctioned on the recommendation of the parliamentary ethics committee for failing to disclose his financial interests timeously as required by the parliamentary code of conduct; he received a formal reprimand in the house and a fine equivalent to 20 days' salary.{{Cite web |last=Dentlinger |first=Lindsay |date=26 March 2024 |title=10 ANC MPs reprimanded for failing to make financial disclosures to Parly on time |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/03/26/10-anc-mps-reprimanded-for-failing-to-make-financial-disclosures-to-parly-on-time |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=EWN |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Maqhina |first=Mayibongwe |date=26 March 2024 |title=MPs to have salaries docked for not disclosing financial interests |url=https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/mps-to-have-salaries-docked-for-not-disclosing-financial-interests-855a2ab9-1459-4392-9286-ee285fe0cf0a |access-date=20 July 2024 |work=Cape Times}}
= ANC Youth League convenor: 2022–2023 =
During his first term in Parliament, Nqola remained active in the ANC's extra-parliamentary structures. In 2022 he was a candidate for election to the ANC National Executive Committee, nominated for membership by 218 local party branches,{{Cite web |date=1 December 2022 |title=ANC 55th National Conference Top 200 NEC Nominations |url=https://www.anc1912.org.za/anc-55th-national-conference-top-200-nec-nominations/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=African National Congress |language=en-US}} but he failed to gain election at the party's 55th National Conference.
The following year, on 27 March 2023, the ANC's National Working Committee resolved to appoint Nqola as the interim convenor of the national ANC Youth League.{{Cite news |last=Madisa |first=Kgothatso |date=28 March 2023 |title=ANC to replace Nonceba Mhlauli and Joy Maimela on youth league task team |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-03-28-anc-to-replace-nonceba-mhlauli-and-joy-maimela-on-youth-league-task-team/ |access-date=2 July 2024 |work=The Sowetan}} The league had been under the custodianship of an unelected interim leadership since 2019, when Collen Maine's leadership corps was disbanded; Nqola replaced Nonceba Mhlauli as the head of the National Youth Task Team (NYTT) tasked with arranging fresh leadership elections. He worked alongside Sonto Motaung, who was named interim coordinator, and Fasiha Hassan, who was named deputy convenor.{{Cite web |last=Khumalo |first=Juniour |date=29 March 2023 |title=Last-ditch effort to save ANCYL: Party appoints leaders too old to be members |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/political-parties/last-ditch-effort-to-save-ancyl-party-appoints-leaders-too-old-to-be-members-20230329 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} Upon taking office as convenor, Nqola said that the NYTT would refuse to allow factional disputes to delay the leadership elections further.{{Cite web |last=Feketha |first=Siviwe |date=7 April 2023 |title=Nqola reads riot act to factions, targets divided KZN |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/politics/nqola-reads-riot-act-to-factions-targets-divided-kzn-20230407 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=City Press |language=en-US}}
Under Nqola's leadership, the ANC Youth League held its elective conference at Nasrec in July 2023, electing Malatji as the league's president. However, the election was preceded by an apparent dispute between Nqola and members of the ANC's national leadership. The national secretary-general of the mainstream ANC, Fikile Mbalula, was accused of interfering in the NYTT's work,{{Cite web |date=2023-06-30 |title=Young Lions no longer roaring as ANC Youth League congress teeters |url=https://mg.co.za/thoughtleader/2023-06-30-young-lions-no-longer-roaring-as-anc-youth-league-congress-teeters/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} and in April 2023 the Sunday Times reported that Nqola was being sidelined in the NYTT by Mdu Manana, the mainstream ANC's head of organising.{{Cite news |last=Madisa |first=Kgothatso |date=26 May 2023 |title=Senior ANC NEC members embroiled in battle for control of youth league |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/politics/2023-05-26-senior-anc-nec-members-embroiled-in-battle-for-control-of-youth-league/ |access-date=20 July 2024 |work=Sunday Times}} On 29 June 2023, the day before the elective conference opened, Mbalula fired Nqola as league convenor, removing him from the NYTT altogether.{{Cite web |last=Masungwini |first=Norman |date=30 June 2023 |title=ANCYL congress kicks off with some (un) expected drama |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/politics/ancyl-congress-kicks-off-with-some-un-expected-drama-20230630 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=City Press |language=en-US}} Mbalula's letter, which was leaked to the press, accused Nqola of "gross ill-discipline and defiance" in connection with the league's recent provincial elective conference in the Eastern Cape.{{Cite web |last=Masuabi |first=Queenin |date=2023-06-29 |title=ANC Youth League ructions continue as Mbalula fights brush fires |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-29-anc-youth-league-ructions-continue-as-mbalula-fights-brush-fires/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Moichela |first=Kamogelo |date=30 June 2023 |title=ANC general-secretary Fikile Mbalula suspends ANCYL convener |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/anc-general-secretary-fikile-mbalula-suspends-ancyl-convener-fbf02d41-14c3-4485-89bd-19756c04154d |access-date=20 July 2024 |work=IOL}} Nqola had apparently allowed the provincial elective conference to go ahead despite procedural irregularities.{{Cite web |last=Feketha |first=Siviwe |date=29 June 2023 |title=Eastern Cape Youth League conference organisers face disciplinary action |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/politics/eastern-cape-youth-league-conference-organisers-face-disciplinary-action-20230629 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=City Press |language=en-US}}
However, Nqola's supporters alleged that his removal from the NYTT was a unilateral decision by Mbalula and constituted an example of Mbalula's interference in Youth League affairs, which they said was calculated to favour Malatji's presidential bid. IOL reported that Nqola wrote a letter to the ANC's national leadership to complain about meddling by Mbalula, Manana, and others.{{Cite news |last=Sithole |first=Siyabonga |date=30 June 2023 |title=Axed ANC Youth League (ANCYL) task team convener Xola Nqola says there is meddling with the running of the youth league |url=https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/axed-anc-youth-league-ancyl-task-team-convener-xola-nqola-says-there-is-meddling-with-the-running-of-the-youth-league-3a327575-4bfa-45d0-9bf4-4934532bb017 |access-date=20 July 2024 |work=The Star}} Mbalula denied this account,{{Cite web |last=Mahlati |first=Zintle |date=1 July 2023 |title=Fikile Mbalula denies hidden hand in ANCYL leadership race, warns league to focus on youth matters |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/political-parties/fikile-mbalula-denies-hidden-hand-in-ancyl-leadership-race-warns-league-to-focus-on-youth-matters-20230701 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Erasmus |first=Des |date=2023-07-01 |title=We will not tolerate anarchy, Mbalula tells ANCYL delegates |url=https://mg.co.za/politics/2023-07-01-we-will-not-tolerate-anarchy-mbalula-tells-ancyl-delegates-as-conference-finally-starts/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} but it was repeated by a group of seven NYTT members in a subsequent protest against the conduct of the elective conference;{{Cite web |last=Masuabi |first=Queenin |date=2023-07-02 |title=ANC Youth League members cry foul after leadership elected unopposed |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-07-02-anc-youth-league-members-cry-foul-after-leadership-elected-unopposed/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}} it was also reportedly raised by Mondli Gungubele and Enoch Godongwana during an ANC National Executive Committee meeting.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-16 |title=Ndabeni-Abrahams defended Mbalula's ANCYL 'unilateralism' |url=https://mg.co.za/politics/2023-07-16-ndabeni-abrahams-defended-mbalulas-ancyl-unilateralism/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}
= Seventh Parliament: 2024–present =
In the May 2024 general election, Nqola was re-elected to his parliamentary seat, now ranked 67th on the ANC's national party list. He became the chairperson of the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, a restructured iteration of the committee he had served in since 2019.{{Cite web |last=Ferreira |first=Emsie |date=2024-07-10 |title=DA MPs to chair water and public administration portfolio committees |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2024-07-10-da-mps-to-chair-water-and-public-administration-portfolio-committees/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} He was elected unopposed to the chair during the committee's first meeting on 9 July 2024, nominated by the ANC's Oscar Mathafa.{{Cite web |date=9 July 2024 |title=Election of Chairperson |url=https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/38984/ |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=Parliamentary Monitoring Group |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.parliament.gov.za/person-details/5535 Xola Nqola] at Parliament of South Africa
- {{People's Assembly (South Africa)|id=xola-nqola|name=Xola Nqola}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD7Q8kuzdqE Interview] for Youth Month 2020
{{Current MPs of South Africa}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nqola, Xola}}
Category:African National Congress politicians
Category:Politicians from the Eastern Cape
Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2019–2024
Category:Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 2024–2029