Quick Facts
| Full Name | Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 30 June 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Sakhela Village, Mthatha, Eastern Cape |
| Current Role | Minister of Small Business Development |
| Previous Roles | Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Deputy Minister of Communications |
| Spouse | Thato Abrahams |
| Children | Three |
| Education | Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Diploma, Advanced Certificate in Project Management (Rhodes University), Project Management Diploma (Cranefield College), Currently pursuing a Master’s in Digital Business (Wits University) |
| Political Party | African National Congress (ANC) |
Early Life and Education
Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams was born on 30 June 1978 in Sakhela Village, Mthatha, Eastern Cape. She is the eldest of six children in a family where both parents were pastors. Her strong moral foundation began early in life, guided by her upbringing in a religious household.
She attended Holy Cross Senior Secondary School in Mthatha and later pursued various tertiary qualifications. Among her accolades, she holds diplomas and certificates in telecommunications, policy, and project management from esteemed institutions such as Wits University, Rhodes University, and Cranefield College. She is currently advancing her studies with a Master’s Degree in Digital Business at Wits University.
Political Career
Early Career
Stella joined the African National Congress (ANC) as a youth marshal in 1989. She became actively involved with the ANC Youth League (ANCYL), rising through its ranks to serve on the National Executive Committee.
Her professional journey began as an administrator in the Eastern Cape government before becoming a project manager at the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council from 2003 to 2009. Her work in socio-economic development earned her the Premier’s Award for voluntary activities.
National Politics
In May 2009, she was elected as a Member of Parliament for the ANC. Shortly after, she became a whip in the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans. Her ability to challenge the status quo made her a standout in Parliament.
Deputy Minister Roles (2011–2018)
At just 33 years old, Ndabeni-Abrahams was appointed Deputy Minister of Communications in 2011 under President Jacob Zuma. This made her the youngest deputy minister in the administration. She later served as Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services from 2017 to 2018.
Ministerial Positions
In November 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed her as Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, where she led the merger of two departments to form the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
Since August 2021, she has served as Minister of Small Business Development. Her focus in this role includes reducing red tape for small businesses and supporting entrepreneurs through the National Integrated Small Enterprise Development Plan.
Personal Life
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is married to Thato Abrahams, and the couple has three children. Despite her demanding political career, she is known for maintaining a strong bond with her family.
Awards and Achievements
- Premier’s Award: Recognized for voluntary contributions to community upliftment.
- Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans: Featured as one of South Africa’s most promising leaders in 2011.
- Strategic Initiatives: Played a key role in drafting the National Integrated Small Enterprise Development Plan.