Thami Ntuli

Arthur Thamsanqa Ntuli (born 11 November 1973) is a South African politician who is the Provincial Chairperson of the Inkatha Freedom Party, and current Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. He is the former mayor of Nkandla Local Municipality and King Cetshwayo District Municipality.^[1]

The Honourable Thami Ntuli MPL
Ntuli in 2024
10th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
Incumbent
Assumed office 18 June 2024
Monarch	Misuzulu
Preceded by	Nomusa Dube-Ncube
Mayor of the King Cetshwayo District Municipality
In office 22 November 2021 – 14 June 2024
Deputy	Sikhumbuzo Dlamini
Preceded by	Nonhle Mkhulisi (ANC)
Mayor of Nkandla Local Municipality
In office 10 December 2012 – 31 October 2021
Deputy	Cllr. MB Biyela
Preceded by	ANC/NFP Alliance (Zama)
Succeeded by	Cllr. MB Biyela
Provincial Chairperson of the Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 June 2019
Deputy	Mduduzi Myeza
Leader	Velenkosini Hlabisa
Preceded by	Mbangiseni Yengwa
SALGA Chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal
In office March 2022 – 14 June 2024
Preceded by	Nonhle Mkhulisi (ANC)
Personal details
Born	Thamsanqa Arthur Ntuli (1973-11-11) 11 November 1973 (age 51) Nkandla, KwaZulu, South Africa
Political party	Inkatha Freedom Party
Other political affiliations	National Teachers Union (2001-2013)
Spouse	Sindiswa kaSibisi Ntuli
Children	6
Residence(s)	Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Education	Vumanhlamvu Primary Nomangci Secondary
Alma mater	Natal University University of Pretoria Rand Afrikaans University
Profession	Educator. Politicians. Businessman.
Website	ifp.org.za kcdm.gov.za salga.org.za

Early life and education

Arthur Thamsanqa Ntuli was born on 11 November 1973 in Vumanhlamvu, Nkandla. He studied at Vumanhlamvu Primary School, Nomangci Secondary (now Mzikazi Secondary) and Nkandla Secondary. After graduating, he took on different jobs, as a cleaner, cashier, and a security guard.^[2]

In 1993, Ntuli began his education career as a teacher at Mashinga Secondary School, while working towards a part-time Diploma in Education at Rand Afrikaans University. He then obtained an Advanced Diploma in Education at the University of Natal (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal) and a Bachelor of Education Honors in Law Management at the University of Pretoria.^[3][4]

Career

For more than 20 years, Ntuli worked as a school teacher and principal in KwaZulu-Natal. In 2010, he began working as a Councilor and Mayor for Nkandla Local Municipality, and from 2021 to 2024 he acted as Mayor of King Cetshwayo District Municipality.^[3] He then resigned to run in the 2024 provincial elections.^[5]

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal

On the 29th of January 2024, IFP announced Thami Ntuli as their KZN Premier candidate for 2024 General Elections. On June 14, Ntuli was elected as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal in a sitting of the provincial legislature. He would be elected in with coalition support from the IFP, African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA) and National Freedom Party (NFP), Ntuli defeated the MK Party's premier candidate, Zulu Nation's deputy prime minister Phathisizwe Chiliza, with 41 votes to 39.^[6] Ntuli is the first IFP member to serve as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal since 2004.^[7] Thami Ntuli was officially inaugurated as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal on 18 June 2024.^[8]

Ntuli announced a new provincial cabinet on June 18 which included 10 members, four from the Inkatha Freedom Party, three from the African National Congress, two from the Democratic Alliance and one from the National Freedom Party. In a significant move, he announced that the Department of Community Safety and Liaison would be placed directly under the Office of the Premier.

The IFP leads four portfolios: leader of government business; co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta); agriculture; and sports. The ANC, with the second most portfolios, will lead health, education, transport and human settlements. The DA will lead finance and public works while the National Freedom Party (NFP) will lead social development. The formula is in line with a coalition agreement between the parties.

The list of MECs:^[9]

• Economic development — Musa Zondi (IFP);
• Cogta — Thulasizwe Buthelezi (IFP);
• Health — Nomagugu Simelane (ANC);
• Social development — Mbali Shinga (NFP);
• Public works — Lucas Meyer (DA);
• Finance — Francois Rogers (DA);
• Agriculture — Thembeni Madlopha Mthethwa (IFP);
• Transport and human settlements — Siboniso Duma (ANC);
• Education — Sipho Hlomuka (ANC); and
• Sports, arts and culture — Mntomuhle Khawula (IFP).