Stella Sigcau
Prime Minister of Transkei | |
|---|---|
| In office 5 October 1987 – 30 December 1987 | |
| President | Tutor Ndamase |
| Preceded by | Dumnisani Gladstone Gwadiso (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Bantu Holomisa (Chairman of the Military Council and of the Council of Ministers) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Stella Nomzamo Sigcau 14 January 1937 Lusikisiki, Cape, South Africa |
| Died | 7 May 2006 (aged 69) Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Other political affiliations | Transkei National Independence Party |
Princess Stella Nomzamo Sigcau (14 January 1937 – 7 May 2006) was a Minister in the South African Government. Sigcau was also the first female Prime Minister of the bantustan of Transkei before being deposed in a military coup[1] in 1987.
Early life and career
Born on 14 January 1937,[2] Sigcau was the daughter of King Botha Sigcau of the AmaMpondo state who was a former President of the Transkei in 1976–1978. Her brothers are King Mpondombini Thandizulu Sigcau and the late ANC activist and Member of Parliament Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau. She named Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau's daughter Princess Stella Sigcau II (Founder: Lwandlolubomvu Rural Development Project) after her. Sigcau graduated from the Loveday Institute in 1954 before marrying Ronald Tshabalala in 1962.
She went on to attend the University of Fort Hare. There she joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), then graduating with a BA degree majoring in Anthropology and Psychology. She was married for a brief period, her husband Roland Tshabalala died in 1964. She taught in a number of schools in Natal during the 1960s.[3]
Transkei politics
In 1968, she was elected in Transkei representing the seat of
After independence, she held the portfolios of Interior Affairs and Posts and Telecommunications. She became the leader of the Transkei National Independence Party on 5 October 1987 and became the third Prime Minister of Transkei two days later. Then Prime Minister and brother to Kaiser Matanzima, George Matanzima was forced to resign from office due to corruption allegations. She defeated Kholisilie Nota and Ngangomhlaba Matanzima to the position, both of whom were male.[3] Her term as prime minister did not last long as she was overthrown in a coup by General Bantu Holomisa. This came after Holomisa accused her government of corruption, alleging that Sigcau received bribes in exchange for gambling rights. While she denied these allegations, she conceded to accepting a bursary worth R50 000 from an official in order to pay for her daughter's tuition.[3]
South African politics
Transkei was absorbed back into South Africa after 27 April 1994. Sigcau stood for election as a candidate on the
See also
External links
- South African Cabinet biography of Stella Sigcau
- The Australian "Anti-apartheid leader dies" 8 May 2006
References
- ^ "Stella Sigcau dead at 69". Mail&Guardian. 8 May 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
- ^ "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 e SAHO. "Stella Margaret Nomzamo Sigcau". South African History Online. Accessed: 31st September 2018
- ^ a b c Timothy Gibbs. "The Second Peasant's Revolt, Mpondoland 1960 - 1980". Boydell and Brewer LTD, pg 64. Accessed: 31st September 2018
- ^ Timothy Gibbs. "The Second Peasant's Revolt, Mpondoland 1960 - 1980". Boydell and Brewer LTD, pg 66. Accessed: 31st September 2018