Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya

Mavhungu Maureen Lerule-Ramakhanya is a South African politician. A member of the African National Congress, Lerule-Ramakhanya is a former mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality. She was elected as a Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature in May 2019. She was then elected as the speaker of the legislature. In March 2020, Lerule-Ramakhanya was appointed as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Transport and Community Safety. She was moved to the Education portfolio of the executive council in June 2022.

Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya
Limpopo MEC for Education
Assumed office
29 June 2022
PremierPhophi Ramathuba
Stanley Mathabatha
Preceded byPolly Boshielo
Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety
In office
23 March 2020 – 29 June 2022
PremierStanley Mathabatha
Preceded byDickson Masemola
Succeeded byPolly Boshielo
Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature
In office
22 May 2019 – 23 March 2020
DeputyJeremiah Ndou
Preceded byPolly Boshielo
Succeeded byRosemary Molapo
Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature
Assumed office
22 May 2019
Mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality
In office
14 December 2018 – 22 May 2019
Preceded byFlorence Radzilani
Succeeded byDowelani Nenguda[1]
Personal details
Born
Mavhungu Maureen Lerule
NationalitySouth African
Political partyAfrican National Congress
SpouseHappy
OccupationMember of the Executive Council
ProfessionPolitician

Political career

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Lerule-Ramakhanya is a long-standing member the African National Congress. She took office as mayor of the Makhado Local Municipality on 1 December 2008, succeeding Glory Mashaba.[2] In April 2012, the ANC provincial executive committee resolved to remove three mayors. The party reasoned that poor service delivery was behind its decision. Lerule-Ramakhanya was one of the three and she stepped down as mayor on 22 April. Farisani Mutavhatsindi was appointed as her successor.[3]

On 14 December 2018, Lerule-Ramakhanya was elected mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality.[4] She succeeded Florence Radzilani, who resigned following her involvement in the VBS Mutual Bank controversy. She was sworn in by High Court Judge Frans Kgomo on the same day.[5]

For the provincial election that was held on 8 May 2019, Lerule-Ramakhanya was placed 13th on the party's provincial list. She was elected to the Limpopo Provincial Legislature as the ANC won 38 seats. She was sworn in as an MPL on 22 May 2019. The ANC selected her as their candidate for speaker, and she was elected.[6]

On 23 March 2020, premier Stanley Mathabatha appointed Lerule-Ramakhanya as the Member of the Executive Council responsible for the provincial Department of Transport and Community Safety, succeeding Dickson Masemola.[7] The changes came into effect on the same day.[8] Rosemary Molapo succeeded her as speaker of the legislature.[9]

On 29 June 2022, Mathabatha conducted a reshuffle of his executive, in which he moved Lerule-Ramakhanya to the Education portfolio and appointed the outgoing Education MEC Polly Boshielo as the new MEC for Transport and Community Safety.[10]

Following her re-election in the 2024 general election, she remained as MEC for Education in the executive council led by the newly elected premier Phophi Ramathuba.[11]

Personal life

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Lerule-Ramakhanya married Dr Happy Ramakhanya in July 2011, They Divorced before He passed on.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Musetha, Ndivhuwo (1 June 2019). "Mayor Nenguda pledges to restore unity in Vhembe". Limpopo Mirror. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  2. ^ Muthambi, Peter (12 December 2008). "New Makhado mayor ready to serve the people". Zoutnet. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  3. ^ Moloto, Moloko (27 April 2012). "Makhado's mayor has resigned but stays as councillor". IOL. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  4. ^ Tshivhase, Rudzani (14 December 2018). "Luruli Ramakhanya elected Mayor of Vhembe". SABC News. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Lerule-Ramakhanya new mayor of Vhembe". Limpopo Mirror. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  6. ^ Molefe, Russel (22 May 2019). "Florence Radzilani sworn in as Limpopo MPL, Stan Mathabatha remains premier". News24. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Limpopo premier Mathabatha shuffles provincial cabinet, axes Monica Mochadi". The Citizen. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  8. ^ Nengovhela, Kaizer (27 March 2020). "Lerule-Ramakhanya appointed as the MEC". Limpopo Mirror. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  9. ^ Viljoen, Barry (24 July 2020). "Rosemary Molapo appointed new Speaker of Limpopo Legislature". Polokwane Observer. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  10. ^ Masungwini, Norman. "Limpopo premier flexes muscles through reshuffle". Citypress. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Premier Phophi Ramathuba on appointment of Limpopo Executive Council | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  12. ^ Muthambi, Peter (29 July 2011). "Makhado Mayor weds". Zoutpansberger. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
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