Executive Council (South Africa)
In South Africa, the Executive Council of a province is the cabinet of the provincial government.[1] The Executive Council consists of the Premier and five to ten other members,[2] who have the title "Member of the Executive Council", commonly abbreviated to "MEC".[1]
MECs are appointed by the Premier from amongst the members of the provincial legislature; he or she can also dismiss them. The provincial legislature may force the Premier to reconstitute the council by passing a motion of no confidence in the Executive Council excluding the Premier; if the legislature passes a motion of no confidence in the Executive Council including the Premier, then the Premier and the MECs must resign.[2]
The Premier designates powers and functions to the MECs; conventionally they are assigned portfolios in specific areas of responsibility. They are accountable to the provincial legislature, both individually and as a collective, and must regularly report to the legislature on the performance of their responsibilities.[2]
The Western Cape, the only province to have adopted its own constitution, chose to call its executive council the "Provincial Cabinet", and its MECs "Provincial Ministers".[3]
Membership of executive councils
    
The following tables show the members of the nine Executive Councils as of 2019.[4]
Eastern Cape
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Oscar Mabuyane | 
| Finance, Economic Development and Environmental Affairs | Mlungisi Mvoko | 
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Xolile Nqatha | 
| Rural Development and Agrarian Reform | Nonkqubela Pieters | 
| Education | Fundile Gade | 
| Human Settlements | Nonceba Kontsiwe | 
| Safety and Liaison | Weziwe Tikana | 
| Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture | Fezeka Nkomonye-Bayeni | 
| Social Development | Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi | 
| Health | Nomakhosazana Meth | 
| Public Works | Babalo Madikizela | 
Free State
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Sisi Ntombela | 
| Agriculture and Rural Development | Thembeni Nxangisa | 
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Mxolisi Dukwana | 
| Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs | Makalo Mohale | 
| Education | Tate Makgoe | 
| Health | Montseng Tsiu | 
| Police, Roads and Transport | William Bulwane | 
| Provincial Treasury | Gadija Brown | 
| Public Works and Human Settlements | Motshidisi Koloi | 
| Social Development | Mamiki Qabathe | 
| Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Limakatso Mahasa | 
Gauteng
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | David Makhura | 
| Finance and e-Government | Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko | 
| Education | Panyaza Lesufi | 
| Community Safety | Faith Mazibuko | 
| Human Settlements, Urban Planning and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs  | Lebogang Maile | 
| Social Development | Morakane Mosupyoe | 
| Public Transport and Road Infrastructure | Jacob Mamabolo | 
| Infrastructure Development and Property Management | Tasneem Motara | 
| Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment | Parks Tau | 
| Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation | Mbali Hlophe | 
| Health | Nomathemba Mokgethi | 
KwaZulu-Natal
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Sihle Zikalala | 
| Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development | Bongi Sithole-Moloi | 
| Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation | Hlengiwe Mavimbela | 
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Sipho Hlomuka | 
| Economic Development and Tourism | Ravi Pillay | 
| Education | Kwazi Mshengu | 
| Finance | Nomusa Dube-Ncube | 
| Health | Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu | 
| Human Settlements and Public Works | Jomo Sibiya | 
| Social Development | Nonhlanhla Khoza | 
| Transport and Community Safety and Liaison | Peggy Nkonyeni | 
Limpopo
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Stanley Mathabatha | 
| Agriculture | Nandi Ndalane | 
| Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs  | Basikopo Makamu | 
| Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | Thabo Andrew Mokone | 
| Education | Polly Boshielo | 
| Health | Phophi Ramathuba | 
| Social Development | Nkakareng Rakgoale | 
| Provincial Treasury | Charles Seaparo Sekoati | 
| Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure | Dickson Masemola | 
| Transport and Community Safety | Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya | 
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Thandi Moraka | 
Mpumalanga
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane | 
| Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration | Vacant | 
| Community Safety, Security and Liaison | Vusi Shongwe | 
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Busisiwe Shiba | 
| Culture, Sport and Recreation | Thandi Shongwe | 
| Education | Bonakele Majuba | 
| Finance, Economic Development and Tourism | Vusi Mkhatshwa | 
| Health | Sasekani Manzini | 
| Human Settlements | Speedy Mashilo | 
| Public Works, Roads and Transport | Mohita Latchminarain | 
| Social Development | Lindiwe Ntshalintshali | 
North West
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Bushy Maape | 
| Agriculture and Rural Development | Desbo Mohono | 
| Economic Development, Environment and Tourism | Kenetswe Mosenogi | 
| Education | Wendy Matsemela | 
| Finance | Motlalepula Rosho | 
| Health | Madoda Sambatha | 
| Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs  | Lenah Miga | 
| Public Works and Roads | Oagile Saliva Molapisi | 
| Community Safety and Transport Management | Sello Lehari | 
| Social Development, Women, Children and People With Disabilities  | Boitumelo Moiloa | 
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Tsotso Tlhapi | 
Northern Cape
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Zamani Saul | 
| Sport, Arts and Culture | Desery Finies | 
| Transport and Safety Liaison | Nomandla Bloem | 
| Finance, Economic Development and Tourism | Abraham Vosloo | 
| Health | Maruping Lekwene | 
| Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs | Bentley Vass | 
| Education | Zolile Monakali | 
| Land Reform, Agriculture and Nature Conservation and Environmental Affairs  | Mase Manopole | 
| Roads and Public Works | Fufe Makatong | 
| Social Development | Nontobeko Vilakazi | 
Western Cape
    
| Portfolio | MEC | 
|---|---|
| Premier | Alan Winde | 
| Finance and Economic Opportunities | David Maynier | 
| Community Safety | Vacant | 
| Education | Debbie Schäfer | 
| Health | Nomafrench Mbombo | 
| Human Settlements | Tertuis Simmers | 
| Social Development | Sharna Fernandez | 
| Transport and Public Works | Daylin Mitchell | 
| Agriculture | Ivan Meyer | 
| Cultural Affairs and Sport | Anroux Marais | 
| Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning | Anton Bredell | 
References
    
- "Provincial government". SouthAfrica.info. Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
 - Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, Chapter 6: "Provinces", ss. 125–141
 - Constitution of the Western Cape, 1997, Chapter 4: "Executive".
 - "Contact list: MECs of the Provincial Governments" (PDF). Government Communication and Information System. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.