Read the complete write-up of Sihle Zikalala net worth, biography, age, wife, children, height, family, parents, mayor, party as well as other information you need to know.
Introduction
Sihle Zikalala is a South African politician from KwaZulu-Natal who is the 8th and current Premier of KwaZulu-Natal as well as the Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC).
Zikalala has held various leadership positions in the ANC. He is also a Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature after having taken office on 26 November 2015. From 2016 to 2019, he served as the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government.
Early life
| Name | Sihle Zikalala |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Height | 1.83m |
| Age | 48 years |
Sihle Zikalala was born on 6 August 1973 (age 48 years) in the town of Ndwedwe in Natal, South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science. In April 2017, he achieved a Bachelor of Administration Honours cum laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Zikalala obtained a master’s degree in commerce from the Graduate School of Business and Leadership in 2019.
Political career
Sihle Zikalala joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1990 and became a full-time organizer for the party in Ndwedwe between 1993 and 1994. He initially established structures for the party. He has held many leadership positions in the African National Congress.
Zikalala was a member of the party’s Million Meyiwa Branch and served as ANC Zonal Chairperson from 1995 to 1996, before his election to the ANCYL North Durban Regional Executive Committee later on in 1996. He soon became Regional Chairperson in 1997, a post he held until his election as ANCYL Provincial Secretary in 2000.
He served as a councillor in the Ilembe District Municipality from 1996 to 2000. He was elected Secretary-General of the African National Congress Youth League in 2004. In 2008, he was elected Deputy Provincial Secretary of the ANC KwaZulu-Natal branch and soon became Provincial Secretary in 2009.
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Zikalala was elected Provincial Chairperson on 8 November 2015 after he defeated incumbent Senzo Mchunu by a margin of 105 votes. He received 780 votes out of a total of 1,459 votes. Super Zuma succeeded Zikalala as Provincial Secretary.
Sihle Zikalala was sworn in as a Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on 26 November 2015 and consequently filled the vacancy created by the resignation of Super Zuma. Following his swearing-in as an MPL, opposition parties staged a walkout of the legislative chamber over Zikalala’s decision to sit in the seat that is traditionally reserved for the Premier.
On 6 June 2016, the newly elected Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Willies Mchunu, appointed Zikalala to the position of MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. He assumed office on 7 June 2016 and succeeded Michael Mabuyakhulu. He was also appointed as Leader of Government Business in the legislature. Zikalala was re-elected unopposed for a second term as Provincial Chairperson of the party in July 2018.
Premiership
Sihle Zikalala was selected as the party’s KwaZulu-Natal Premier candidate, succeeding Willies Mchunu following the May 2019 elections. He was elected to the office on 22 May 2019, and officially assumed the post on 27 May 2019. Following his inauguration, he announced his Executive Council, which consists of youthful members.
Zikalala admitted on July 8, 2021, that the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma would hurt the ANC’s electoral chances in the November 2021 municipal elections. He commended the former president for handing himself over and said that he has never betrayed Zuma.
He suggested that President Cyril Ramaphosa should consider granting Zuma a Presidential Pardon. The opposition Democratic Alliance subsequently accused him of abusing his position by asking Ramaphosa to grant Zuma a pardon. Zikalala called on Zuma supporters to refrain from violence as pro-Zuma protests turned violent.
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On 15 July 2021, Sihle Zikalala was filmed allegedly assaulting an individual during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. During a law enforcement operation at Bayhead Road leading to the Durban Harbour on 13 January 2022, Zikalala condemned the proliferation of counterfeit goods. He said that it was tantamount to economic sabotage.
Zikalala said that the police have confiscated an estimated R1-billion worth of counterfeit goods over the past year. Zikalala also called on the freight and trucking industry to prioritize employing South Africans as truck drivers instead of hiring foreign nationals to avoid conflict.
Wife
Sihle Zikalala is married to Nelly Zikalala, they had their wedding ceremony in April 2006. His wife Nelly Zikalala is a non-governmental worker and they have two sons and one daughter. Zikalala, his wife Nelly and his three children live in a private house in Durban.
Sihle Zikalala net worth
How much is Sihle Zikalala worth? Sihle Zikalala net worth is estimated at around $3 million. His main source of income is from his career as a politician. Zikalala successful career has earned him some luxurious lifestyles and some fancy cars trips. He is one of the richest and influential mayors in South Africa. Sihle’s salary ranges from $70,000 to $250,000 as of 2022.