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Zweli Mkhize | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 25th Minister of Health of South Africa | |
| In office 30 May 2019 – 5 August 2021 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Joe Phaahla |
| Preceded by | Aaron Motsoaledi |
| Succeeded by | Joe Phaahla |
| Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | |
| In office 27 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Preceded by | Des van Rooyen |
| Succeeded by | Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma |
| Treasurer General of the African National Congress | |
| In office 18 December 2012 – 18 December 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Mathews Phosa |
| Succeeded by | Paul Mashatile |
| 5th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal | |
| In office 6 May 2009 – 1 September 2013 | |
| Monarch | Goodwill Zwelithini |
| Preceded by | S'bu Ndebele |
| Succeeded by | Senzo Mchunu |
| Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal | |
| In office 18 May 2009 – August 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Frene Ginwala |
| Succeeded by | Mogoeng Mogoeng |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Zwelini Lawrence Mkhize 2 February 1956 Willowfontein, Pietermaritzburg, Natal Union of South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Spouse | May Mashego |
| Children |
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| Alma mater | University of Natal (MBChB) |
| Occupation |
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Zwelini Lawrence Mkhize (born 2 February 1956) is a South African medical doctor and politician who served as the Minister of Health from May 2019 until his resignation on 5 August 2021. He previously served as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2018 to 2019. Before that, he was the fifth Premier of KwaZulu-Natal from 2009 to 2013.
A former anti-apartheid activist in Umkhonto we Sizwe, Mkhize was formerly a provincial politician in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, with particular influence in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. He was a Member of the Executive Council in the provincial government between 1994 and 2004 and was elected provincial chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in 2008. He rose to national prominence in 2012 when he was elected national Treasurer-General of the ANC at the party's 53rd National Conference. He also campaigned unsuccessfully for the ANC presidency ahead of the 55th National Conference in 2022.
As Minister of Health under President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mkhize played a central role in South Africa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he resigned in 2021 amid allegations that he and his family had benefitted improperly from a state contract awarded by the Department of Health to a communications company called Digital Vibes.