Molapi Soviet Lekganyane, born on 18 April 1974, is a prominent South African politician hailing from Limpopo. Known for his long-standing career in the African National Congress (ANC), Lekganyane’s political journey spans local and national levels. Below are 21 interesting facts about him:
- Early Life and Birth
Soviet Lekganyane was born on 18 April 1974 in Limpopo, South Africa. His early life in the province shaped his deep-rooted involvement in politics. - SACP Leadership
Lekganyane made his mark as the Provincial Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP) in Limpopo from 2008 to 2011. His leadership helped the SACP strengthen its political voice in the province. - Alliance with the ANC
Although primarily an SACP member, Lekganyane was also deeply affiliated with the ANC. His dual membership showcased the close relationship between the two parties in South Africa. - ANC Provincial Secretary (2011-2013)
In December 2011, Lekganyane was elected Provincial Secretary of the ANC in Limpopo, a position he held until 2013. This role gave him significant influence in shaping the province’s political landscape. - Executive Council Member (2009-2012)
After the 2009 general election, Lekganyane was appointed to the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council. He served as the MEC for Local Government and Housing under Premier Cassel Mathale. - Resignation from the SACP
In 2011, Lekganyane resigned from his role as SACP Provincial Secretary after disagreements with national leadership, citing concerns about corruption and party infighting. - Controversial Allegations
During his time as MEC, Lekganyane was embroiled in allegations of corruption, including claims of improper awarding of state contracts to SACP comrades. - Supporting Kgalema Motlanthe
Lekganyane was a vocal supporter of Kgalema Motlanthe in the 2012 ANC National Conference, where Motlanthe ran against Jacob Zuma for the ANC presidency. - Disbandment of Limpopo’s Provincial Executive
After the 2012 ANC National Conference, Lekganyane’s term as Provincial Secretary ended prematurely due to the disbandment of Limpopo’s ANC Provincial Executive Committee. - Loyalty to the ANC
Despite the internal turmoil, Lekganyane remained loyal to the ANC leadership. He publicly distanced himself from Julius Malema and the Economic Freedom Fighters in 2013. - Election to Limpopo Provincial Legislature (2014)
In 2014, Lekganyane was elected to the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, where he served as the chairperson of the finance committee. - ANC Provincial Secretary Again (2018-2022)
Lekganyane returned to his position as ANC Provincial Secretary in 2018, after winning an election despite opposition from the SACP. - Call for Anti-Corruption Campaign
In 2018, Lekganyane publicly advocated for an anti-corruption campaign, especially targeting politicians involved in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, ahead of the 2019 national elections. - Allegations of Assault
In 2021, Lekganyane faced serious allegations of assault following an altercation with another ANC member during a branch meeting in Polokwane. The dispute related to candidate nominations for local elections. - Setback in ANC Provincial Elections (2022)
Despite his efforts, Lekganyane lost the ANC Provincial Secretary position to Reuben Madadzhe in the 2022 provincial elective conference. - National Executive Committee Election (2022)
In December 2022, Lekganyane was elected to the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC), securing a five-year term. He was ranked 17th out of 80 candidates. - Leadership in Dispute Resolution
In February 2023, Lekganyane was appointed as the Deputy Chairperson of the ANC National Dispute Resolution Committee, highlighting his influence in the party’s internal mechanisms. - Committee Roles in 2023
He was also appointed to the ANC National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal and tasked with leading the party’s delegation in the North West Province. - Election to National Assembly (2024)
In the May 2024 general election, Lekganyane was elected to the National Assembly as an ANC representative, cementing his position at the national level of South Africa’s politics. - Role in Judicial Service Commission
The ANC nominated Lekganyane to represent Parliament at the Judicial Service Commission, demonstrating his growing role in South Africa’s political and legal landscape. - Future Prospects
As a committed member of the ANC, Lekganyane’s career continues to evolve. With a wealth of experience in both provincial and national politics, he remains a key figure to watch in South Africa’s political future.