Madoda Sambatha

Madoda Sambatha (born 22 October 1975) is a South African politician serving as the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development since 2024. He has served as a Member of the North West Provincial Legislature for the African National Congress (ANC) since 2014. He was the MEC for Public Works and Roads from 2014 to 2017 and the MEC for Health from 2018 until 2024. Sambatha is also the provincial secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP).

Early life and education Sambatha was born on 22 October 1975 in Kwangqondo, Engcobo, in the Cape Province, now the Eastern Cape. He attended Sentube Junior Primary School, Tshapile Junior Secondary School and graduated from Mzikayise Dalasile Senior Secondary School in 1995.

Political career Sambatha later found employment as a mineworker at the Mponeng Gold Mine in 1996. He then joined the National Union of Mineworkers. He was involved in the politics of Gauteng and the North West. In 2000, Sambatha was elected as a councillor of the West Rand District Municipality in Gauteng. He was appointed Mayoral Committee Member for Public Safety and served in the post until 2005.

On 1 June 2017, Mahumapelo removed Sambatha from the Executive Council. Mahumapelo reasoned that allegations of Sambatha selling land illegally led to his demotion, yet his dismissal was speculated to have partisan undertones. Mmule Maluleke was appointed his successor.

In December 2018, newly elected premier Job Mokgoro named him the MEC for Health. He succeeded long-serving Magome Masike. He remained in the post following the 2019 general election.

Following the 2024 general election, Sambatha was named MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development by the newly elected premier Lazarus Mokgosi.

Personal life Sambatha is married to Phumza Sambatha; they have five children.