MEC bows out from Mpumalanga Legislature after 15 years
Vusi Shongwe initially made his mark as MEC for culture, sport and recreation during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
The former Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has resigned from the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature just weeks after he was officially sworn in as a member of the seventh administration after the May 29 national and provincial elections.
Even though there were no explanations given, Mpumalanga News has reliably learnt that Shongwe has been battling with medical issues, which had sidelined him for the past couple of months.
Shongwe leaves behind a colourful career that spans from 2009, when he was first introduced to the Mpumalanga community by the then premier David Mabuza, who drew him into his cabinet as the MEC for culture, sport and recreation, leading this province to a successful 2010 Soccer World Cup.
This is where Shongwe made a mark for himself, as he was deeply involved in many community-driven World Cup campaigns and activations as the provincial government played its part in getting the entire province to rally behind this historic tournament.
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Following his successes, Shongwe was given a much larger and more complex portfolio, that of community safety, security and liaison, which he spearheaded from 2010 until 2014.
He served in both Mabuza and Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane’s cabinets and has never been excluded from them.
The Mpumalanga ANC has already replaced him with eMalahleni’s executive mayor, Cllr Leah Mabuza, while Mtshweni-Tsipane, who is now a member of the National Council of Provinces, was replaced by Thabile Sylvia Masondo.
Both Mabuza and Masondo were officially sworn in this past week by the Speaker and the Secretary of the Provincial Legislature, Lindi Masina and Hubert Shabangu.
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On June 27, the Legislature presided over the swearing in of the DA’s new Legislature member, Tershia Marshall. She was unavailable on June 14 when the other members were sworn in. Marshall joins five other DA members who had already been sworn in.
