Department of Social Development

Ms Thandi Blessing Shongwe (MPL)
Member of Executive Council

2019 - 2021

Born 57 years ago in a tiny township of Barberton which is commonly known as Umjindi, Blessing Thandi Shongwe just like any other South African started to involve herself in politics at early age, and it was surprisingly when was elected as the Student Representative Council at Shongwe High School.

MEC Blessing Thandi Shongwe had a spell at Ehlanzeni District Municipality where she was the Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Finance and Community Safety from 2000 – 2006, and an educator school headmaster, head of department at legubuta and Bongaokuhle primary school.

Her passionate and dedication towards politics raise to the occasion when she was elected as the South African Democratic Teachers Union Deputy Chairperson at Khulangwane Circuit, and served in various portfolios in the African National Congress Women’s League and subsequently elected as the regional secretary of the African National Congress Ehlanzeni Regional Secretary , Additional Member of the African National Congress Women’s league Provincial Executive Committee to date and currently additional Member of the Provincial Executive Committee.

In 2008 her political home the African National Congress saw it fit to deploy her in National Parliament, and in 2009 deployed to Mpumalanga Provincial legislature as the Deputy Chief Whip of the majority party from 2010 – May 2014, and in 2014 she was deployed as the speaker for the Mpumalanga Provincial legislature and was then deployed to department of Culture sports and recreation as the Member of Executive Council.

Her educational qualification includes Secondary Education Diploma from Vista University, Higher Diploma in Education Vista University, Further Education Management, College of South Africa, Batchelor Arts Wits University, certificates in Advance Governance and Public leadership (at level of Honours) and currently studying towards Masters towards Masters in Advanced Governance and Public leadership.

MEC Blessing Thandi Shongwe hobbies includes singing going to church travelling and passionate about women empowerment a gender activist a champion for women issues.