Irene Mutsila
Irene Mutsila | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Vhembe | |
| In office March 2006 – July 2007 | |
| Succeeded by | Falaza Mdaka |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office June 1999 – April 2004 | |
| Constituency | Northern Province |
| Delegate to the National Council of Provinces | |
| Assembly Member for Northern Transvaal | |
| In office May 1994 – June 1999 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 June 1949 Sibasa, Northern Transvaal Union of South Africa |
| Died | 29 July 2017 (aged 68) Polokwane, Limpopo Republic of South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
Irene Mutsila (5 June 1949 – 29 July 2017) was a South African politician from Limpopo. Formerly an anti-apartheid activist and poet, she was the first woman mayor of Vhembe District Municipality from 2006 to 2007. Before that, she represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the National Council of Provinces from 1994 to 1999 and in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2004.
Early life and activism
[edit]Mutsila was born on 5 June 1949[1] in Sibasa outside Thohoyandou in the former Northern Transvaal.[2] She was active in the anti-apartheid movement[3] and a veteran of the ANC Women's League.[2] She was also a poet and published in Staffrider.[4] After the end of apartheid, she served in the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC's Limpopo branch.[2]
Legislative career
[edit]In South Africa's first post-apartheid elections in 1994, Mutsila was elected to an ANC seat in the Northern Transvaal caucus of the Senate (later the National Council of Provinces).[5] After a term there, she was elected to the National Assembly in the 1999 general election, again serving the Northern Transvaal (by then renamed Northern Province).
Mayor of Vhembe: 2006–2007
[edit]In mid-March 2006, after the 2006 local elections, Mutsila was elected as the first female[6] executive mayor of Limpopo's Vhembe District Municipality.[7][8] However, her relationship with the ANC-controlled municipal council quickly deteriorated into what a local newspaper called a "power struggle".[6] The situation worsened in May 2007, when she appointed a new municipal manager. Complaining that Mutsila had not consulted them before making the appointment, the council resolved to suspend her in late June 2007.[9][10]
The council subsequently alleged that the appointment of the municipal manager had been corrupt and grossly irregular.[11] In addition, it said that Mutsila had defied the council's instruction to her to revoke the appointment.[6] In late July 2007, the council passed a motion of no-confidence in Mutsila, removing her from office and replacing her with ANC regional chairperson Falaza Mdaka.[11]
Death
[edit]Mutsila died on 29 July 2017 at a private hospital in Polokwane following a short illness.[2][3] President Jacob Zuma granted her a special provincial official funeral.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "General Notice: Notice 1319 of 1999 – Electoral Commission: Representatives Elected to the Various Legislatures" (PDF). Government Gazette of South Africa. Vol. 408, no. 20203. Pretoria, South Africa: Government of South Africa. 11 June 1999. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Former executive mayor of Vhembe, Ms Irene Mutsila, passes away". Limpopo Mirror. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ a b "President Zuma declares Special Provincial Official Funeral for struggle activist, Ms Mutsila". The Presidency. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Staffrider Volume 2 No. 4". South African History Online. 1979. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ South Africa: Campaign and Election Report April 26–29, 1994. International Republican Institute. 1994. Retrieved 13 April 2023 – via Yumpu.
- ^ a b c "Mdaka in Mutsila's shoes". Zoutpansberger. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Cllr Mahasela inaugurated as new mayor". Zoutnet. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Woman in driving seat at Makhado". Zoutnet. 17 March 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Dispute over appointment of manager". Sowetan. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Axed manager wants job back". Sowetan. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Council manager improperly placed". Sowetan. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Motau, Koketšo (5 August 2017). "Zuma declares special provincial official funeral for Mutsila". EWN. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- 1949 births
- 2017 deaths
- African National Congress politicians
- 21st-century South African women politicians
- 20th-century South African poets
- 20th-century South African women politicians
- Members of the National Assembly of South Africa 1999–2004
- Women members of the National Assembly of South Africa
- Mayors of places in South Africa
- Women mayors of places in South Africa
- Members of the Senate of South Africa
- Women members of the National Council of Provinces
- Members of the National Council of Provinces
- People from Thulamela Local Municipality
- South African anti-apartheid activists