Sibongile Jeremia Besani is a prominent South African politician from the Free State, known for his long-standing involvement in the African National Congress (ANC) and his close ties to the party’s leadership. Here are 15 key facts about his life and career:
- Early Life and Birthplace
Sibongile Besani was born on July 11, 1970, in Vredefort, a town in the Free State province of South Africa. His early experiences in the Free State played a crucial role in shaping his political career within the ANC. - Political Beginnings
Besani’s political journey began with his involvement in the ANC’s Free State branch, where he quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Deputy Provincial Secretary in 2005. His leadership was marked by a significant role in the ANC’s regional structure. - ANC Provincial Secretary (2008–2012)
In 2008, Besani was appointed as the ANC’s Provincial Secretary of the Free State, a position he held until 2012. His tenure marked a time of political tension, particularly between factions of the party, including a challenge to the leadership of Ace Magashule, then Provincial Chairperson. - The Regime Change Group
In the early 2010s, Besani was linked to the “Regime Change Group,” a faction within the Free State ANC that opposed Magashule’s leadership. He was particularly critical of Magashule’s support for President Jacob Zuma’s re-election bid. - 2012 ANC Provincial Conference Boycott
Besani played a key role in the 2012 boycott of the ANC’s Free State provincial conference, protesting alleged irregularities in the electoral process. His actions were part of a broader struggle within the ANC to ensure fair and transparent leadership selection. - Role in the Constitutional Court Case
Besani’s leadership as Provincial Secretary came into the spotlight during a court case challenging the 2012 provincial elections. His reports to the ANC’s national leadership were cited in the Constitutional Court, which ruled that the elections had been marred by irregularities. - Head of ANC Presidency (2019–Present)
In July 2019, Besani was appointed as the head of the ANC presidency, a crucial role that sees him coordinating the party’s activities alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President David Mabuza. This was a significant career move for Besani. - Short Stint in the National Assembly
Before assuming his position in the ANC presidency, Besani briefly served as a Member of the National Assembly in 2019. However, he resigned just two months later to take on his full-time role at Luthuli House, the ANC headquarters. - Coordinator of ANC Youth League Task Team
In 2019, Besani was also appointed to lead the interim task team of the ANC Youth League. This role involved overseeing the league’s activities and preparing for new leadership elections after the disbandment of the previous leadership. - Resignation from the ANCYL Task Team
Besani resigned from the ANC Youth League task team in early 2020 due to dissatisfaction with internal processes, particularly concerning how decisions were being made without his consultation. His resignation highlighted the growing tensions within the organization. - Reappointment to the ANC Presidency
After a brief period of political turbulence, Besani was reappointed to his position as head of the ANC presidency in 2022. His re-election to the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) cemented his influence within the party. - National Executive Committee Member
Besani has been a member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) since December 2017. In the 2022 elections, he was re-elected with a strong showing, placing 20th among the 80 members of the new NEC. - Business Interests and Controversies
Besani has had some involvement in business, including serving as a director at Mpaki Investments, a company under investigation for fraudulent VAT claims. He has denied any wrongdoing and stated that he was unaware of the alleged fraudulent activity. - Personal Life
Besani is married and has children. While he maintains a relatively low public profile about his personal life, his political journey has been the focal point of his public persona. - Political Influence and Legacy
As a key figure in the ANC, Besani’s political influence has continued to grow. His support for ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and his involvement in several high-stakes leadership challenges have made him a key figure in the party’s future.
