The former MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) in KwaZulu-Natal, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha, has bounced back as a councillor in eThekwini metro.

Sibhidla-Saphetha was announced today during a full council meeting at the Durban ICC, and she replaced the late Cheryl Sisoka, who passed away in January this year.

Sibhidla-Saphetha briefly served as the MEC for DSAC between 2013 and 2016 under the leadership of Senzo Mchunu as the premier of the province.

When the Mchunu’s faction was ousted by the chaotic Sihle Zikalala’s faction, she was axed and replaced by Bongi Sithole-Moloi. She later moved to the National Assembly (Parliament) in Cape Town, where she served as the Chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee until May 2024.

After the ANC was heavily decimated by the emergence of the MK Party and had its seats drastically reduced in parliament, Sibhidla-Saphetha was rendered jobless and sent to the political wilderness.

The spokesperson for the ANC’s regional task team in the eThekwini region, Thinta Cibane, also confirmed the appointment.

“Yes, that is correct. She was deployed as a replacement on the eff PR list after the passing of Cde Cheryl Sisoka,” Cibane said.