Lesiba Christopher Mothiba (17 August 1937 – 20 July 2013) was a South African politician and traditional leader. He rose to prominence during apartheid as a politician in Lebowa and the leader of the GaMothiba traditional authority in present-day Polokwane, Limpopo. He later served in the post-apartheid National Assembly from 2001 to 2004, representing the United Democratic Movement (UDM) until he crossed the floor to the African National Congress (ANC) in 2003.
Lesiba Mothiba | |
|---|---|
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office 20 February 2001 – April 2004 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lesiba Christopher Mothiba 17 August 1937 |
| Died | 20 July 2013 (aged 75) |
| Citizenship | South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress (since March 2003) |
| Other political affiliations | United Democratic Movement (until March 2003) |
Life and career
editMothiba was born on 17 August 1937[1] and held a BAdmin degree.[2] After beginning his career as a civil servant and salesman, he joined the Lebowa Legislative Assembly in 1973 and served as a minister in the Lebowa government. He also owned a bottle store and petrol station in Sebayeng.[2]
Lebowa was disbanded upon the end of apartheid. In the 1999 general election, Mothiba stood as a UDM candidate for election to the National Assembly.[1] Though he was not initially elected, he was sworn in on 20 February 2001, filling the casual vacancy created by Manna Naidoo's resignation.[3] During the March 2003 floor-crossing window, Mothiba was among the UDM representatives who resigned from the party and joined the governing ANC.[4] He served the rest of the parliamentary term under the ANC's banner.
In addition to his political activities, Mothiba was the traditional leader of GaMothiba in present-day Polokwane Local Municipality, a hereditary lifetime appointment that he held for more than three decades.[5] He died on 20 July 2013 after a short illness.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "General Notice: Electoral Commission Notice 1113 of 1999 – Final List of Candidates" (PDF). Government Gazette of South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: Government of South Africa. 26 May 1999. p. 242. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ a b Keeble, Sheila (1982). The Black Who's Who of Southern Africa Today. African Business Publications. p. 250.
- ^ "The National Assembly List of Resinations and Nominations". Parliament of South Africa. 2 June 2002. Archived from the original on 2 June 2002. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ "Six more UDM MPs defect". News24. 1 April 2003. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Mothiba served his people well". Sowetan. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2023 – via PressReader.