Ace Magashule
Elias Sekgobelo "Ace" Magashule (born 3 November 1959) is a South African politician and former anti-apartheid activist who served as the Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's governing party, between December 2017 and his suspension on 3 May 2021. He served as the Premier of the Free State, one of South Africa's nine provinces, from 2009 until 2018, and was known to be influential in the ANC of his home province.
Ace Magashule | |
|---|---|
Magashule in 2019 | |
| 16th Secretary-General of the African National Congress | |
| In office 18 December 2017 – 19 December 2022 | |
| Deputy | Jessie Duarte |
| Preceded by | Gwede Mantashe |
| Succeeded by | Fikile Mbalula |
| 5th Premier of the Free State | |
| In office 6 May 2009 – 27 March 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Beatrice Marshoff |
| Succeeded by | Sisi Ntombela |
| Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress in Free State | |
| In office May 1998 – December 2017 | |
| Deputy | Casca Mokitlane Pat Matosa Thabo Manyoni Paseka Nompondo |
| Preceded by | Zingile Dingani |
| Succeeded by | Sam Mashinini |
| Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress in Free State | |
| In office April 1994 – 1997 | |
| Chairperson | Pat Matosa |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Ben Kotsoane |
| Member of the Free State Provincial Legislature | |
| In office April 2004 – March 2018 | |
| In office 1994–1997 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elias Sekgobelo Magashule 3 November 1959 Tumahole, Orange Free State, Union of South Africa |
| Political party | African Congress for Transformation
African National Congress (expelled) |
| Children | Tshepiso Magashule (son) |
| Alma mater | University of Fort Hare (BA) |
| Occupation |
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An outspoken ally of former President Jacob Zuma, Magashule has been accused of various corrupt activities. He was arrested in November 2020 and awaits trial on charges relating to corruption under a government contract awarded while he was Premier. He was expelled from the ANC in June 2023 after the party's National Disciplinary Committee had found that he had brought the party into disrepute.