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Profile of Deputy Minister for the Department of Employment and Labour, Mr N.M. Sibiya, MP

The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour hails from the northern and rural part of KwaZulu-Natal eSilutshane in Nquthu - a place that is deeply rooted in his heart. He is a father, husband, brother and uncle to many and a family man.

He matriculated at Ekucabangeni High School (Nqutu) in 1995 and pursued his post matric studies at the University of KwaZulu Natal where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He joined Transnet and PETRONET, where he worked in various roles such as a General Worker, Crane Operator, Administrator, Quality Assurer and Quality Controller. During his tenure at Transnet, he successfully completed a certificate in material handling management from the SA Institute of Material handling and has first hand experience of shopfloor challenges as he is no stranger in the field.

Deputy Minister Sibiya has served in the public sector as a Senior Manager in the Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) from 2012 to 2014. In line with his drive and focus on efficiency, impact and results, he played a leading role in creating a turnaround strategy for 31 municipalities.  He formulated strategies for financial, service delivery improvement and oversaw their implementation.  Within 3 years, 12 of the 31 municipalities had shown substantial improvements through the introduction of good governance and better financial management practices.  Additionally, he addressed and remedied the lack of engineers and technical expertise and engaged with MISA (Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent) to support various initiatives.

In the period 2008 – 2012, Deputy Minister Sibiya worked as an entrepreneur and business manager for SesiPhambili Trading, where he founded a variety of small businesses in the electrical, alien plant eradication and landscaping fields. This saw him immensely contributing to employment creation and betterment of the lives of over 20 employees.

POLITICAL ROLES AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS:

• ANC KwaZulu Natal – Provincial Executive Committee member: 2018 – Current,
• ANC Inkosi Bambatha – Regional Executive Committee member: 2014 – 2018,
• ANC Youth League – Ethekwini Regional Chairperson: 2011 – 2013,

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deputy Minister for the Department of Employment and Labour: 2024 – Current,
• Special Advisor to His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa: 2023 – 2024
• Portfolio Chairperson of Human Settlements KZN Legislature: 2022 - 2023
• KwaZulu Natal MEC for Public Works and Human Settlements: 2021 – 2022
• Portfolio Chairperson of Education KZN Legislature: 2019 – 2021
• Member of the KwaZulu Natal Legislature: 2014 - 2023

Deputy Minister Jomo's journey reflects a tapestry of leadership, integrity, and public service ethos, political activism and community engagement with a strong grassroots connections and organisational acumen.

His humble beginnings in eNquthu to national governance, his trajectory inspires upcoming leaders and is a testament of dedication and commitment to the transformative agenda as progressively set out by the freedom charter in 1955 and transformation agenda of 1994 for a better South Africa and the world.  

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