Mahlengi Bhengu is a South African politician. She is the incumbent spokesperson of the African National Congress (ANC). She had served as the party’s Youth League activist.
Bhengu was the first chairperson of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (now National Youth Development Agency).
The politician was elected to the National Executive Committee (NEC) in December to replace Mabe, who had served as spokesperson since 2017. In January 2023, she became the spokesperson.
| Mahlengi Bhengu | |
|---|---|
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| Personal Information | |
| Full Name: | Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri |
| Born: | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | Public Administration |
| Alma mater: | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
| Occupation: | Politician |
| Political Party: | African National Congress |
| Position: | National Spokesperson of the African National Congress |
Early Life
Mahlengi Bhengu was born in Nquthu in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The experience of her mother taught her about the evils of aparthied. She studied Public Administration at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Career
Mahlengi Bhengu began her political career in the women and youth wings of the anti-apartheid movement. She served as the Secretary-General of the South African Students Congress (SASCO) in 1992.
Nelson Mandela appointed her as the chairperson of the National Youth Commission to serve for five years in 1996. She was a member of the Natal Organization of Women.
Bhengu served in the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League. She later served on the league’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Mahlengi prominently supported David Makhura’s campaign to unseat Malusi Gigaba as ANC Youth League President in 2001. She worked in public administration in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
In 2022, she became the chairperson of the board of the Gauteng Partnership Fund. She continued being active in the African National Congress. She has also worked in the private sector as a management consultant.
In 2019, she was appointed to the inaugural board of the O. R. Tambo School of Leadership. She was appointed a member of the African National Congress Internal Renewal Commission in 2022.
ANC Spokesperson
Mahlengi Bhengu was appointed as the new ANC national spokesperson. She was elected to the National Executive Committee (NEC) in December.
The appointment followed the NEC’s meeting in Esselenpark, Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg. She and others elected at Nasrec will lead the party for five years.