Mr Velenkosini Fiki Hlabisa was appointed as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 3 July 2024.
While at primary school he benefitted from the Good Citizenship Programme incorporated into the school’s curriculum by the KwaZulu Government, under the leadership of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The teachings of self-help and self-reliance, and selfless service to one’s community and country, resonated with him from a young age.
His passion for education saw him pursue a career in teaching, where he rose to Principal of the Somfula High School. Continuing his studies, he obtained an SSTD and B. Paed Degree in History from the University of Zululand (UniZulu), and a Bachelor A Honours Degree in History from the University of South Africa. While studying at the UniZulu, he became a founding member and first Chairperson of the South African Democratic Students’ Movement at the UniZulu. Later he became Regional Deputy Chairperson of the National Teachers’ Union.
His work at the community level remained consistent. For six years he served as Chairperson of the Community Working Group, working with the South African Medical Research Council on HIV/AIDS and Microbicide trials. He has also served for over a decade as Chairperson of the Hlabisa Hospital Board.
Through the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), he embraced the call to serve in governance and spent 24 years gaining experience in local governance in the positions of Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor at the District level.
In August 2021, he was elected unopposed as the President of the IFP. In this position, he was the Leader of the Official Opposition in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature before being sworn in as a Member of Parliament in October 2023, taking the reins in the National Assembly from the late founder of the IFP, Prince Buthelezi. Following the May 2024 National and Provincial Elections, and the formation of South Africa’s second Government of National Unity, the IFP became part of the national government. Mr Hlabisa embraces his role in the spirit of servant leadership.
He is married to Thandeka Nxumalo and has been blessed with six children – Nkosinathi, Nokwanda, Sthembile, Melokuhle, Osimelesonke and Sabeluyabizwa. The family are members of the Nazareth Baptist Church. Mr Hlabisa is committed to building a more stable, prosperous and just South Africa, hand in hand with every citizen. He travels in hope, believing that change is possible.
Source: Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
