Colleen Makhubele is a South African businesswoman and former Member of Parliament who previously served as Speaker of the City of Johannesburg council. Her career has moved from technology and corporate governance into municipal politics, leadership of the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA), and a parliamentary role with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
Status update: Makhubele announced her parliamentary resignation in February 2026. She should therefore be described as a former MP. The dated resignation letter and Parliament’s subsequent record are explained below.
Colleen Makhubele at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Nationality | South African |
| Place of birth and upbringing | Giyani, Limpopo, according to her 2023 interview with The Citizen |
| Professional background | Business, information technology and corporate governance |
| Johannesburg council role | Speaker, September 2022–November 2023 |
| National role | Former MK Party MP and parliamentary chief whip |
| Party history | Congress of the People (COPE), SARA and MK Party |
Early life, place of birth and age
In an 8 July 2023 interview with The Citizen, Makhubele said she was born and raised in Giyani. She was the third of four siblings; her mother was a nurse and her father a teacher. She recalled helping with family businesses after school, including selling popcorn and ice blocks, and linked her interest in business to her parents’ example.
An exact date of birth has not been independently verified for this profile. A precise birthday or current age is therefore not stated.
Education and business career
Makhubele’s 2017 Vital Voices mentee profile lists an honours degree in information technology from Multimedia University in Malaysia, an MBA from Milpark Business College, and business administration and project management qualifications from the University of South Africa. It also describes her as a certified PRINCE2 practitioner.
The same profile identifies her as a founding member and CEO of Mzumbe Group, with earlier experience as chief operating officer at SMMT Online and in project management across sectors. These are documented historical roles; they do not establish her current employment.
The South African Post Office’s 2020 annual report also records her IT, MBA and project management qualifications, and work establishing a project management office at the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA). Her later public profile included chairing the Post Office board and Johannesburg’s Metropolitan Trading Company.
Speaker of the Johannesburg council
Makhubele represented COPE in Johannesburg. She was elected council Speaker on 28 September 2022, receiving 141 votes against Alex Christians’ 129. She had previously served as the council’s chair of chairpersons.
Her work included council proceedings and public engagement. The City’s account of a 23 June 2023 youth summit records her hosting young people at the Metro Centre, where employment, learnerships and opportunities involving the City and its stakeholders were discussed.
Her Speaker tenure ended in November 2023. Margaret Arnolds was elected to replace her on 20 November 2023.
Political parties and national career
Her party affiliations need to be read chronologically:
| Party | Documented connection |
|---|---|
| COPE | Represented the party in Johannesburg during her council leadership career. |
| South African Rainbow Alliance | Founded and led SARA after her COPE period; announced her departure as SARA leader in 2024. |
| uMkhonto weSizwe Party | Joined in 2024, entered Parliament in 2025 and announced her departure in February 2026. |
SABC News reported her move from SARA to MK on 29 August 2024. In a January 2025 interview with IOL, she explained the move in terms of a shared aim of bringing African parties and leaders together.
She entered Parliament in January 2025 and became MK’s parliamentary chief whip in May. EWN’s February 2026 account traces her appointment, a brief removal and reinstatement in November 2025, and her subsequent replacement as chief whip.
February 2026 resignation and current status
In her letter dated 23 February 2026, Makhubele gave notice of resignation as an MP representing MK, effective 28 February 2026. She thanked Jacob Zuma for the opportunity to serve and said she intended to contribute to South Africa in another capacity.
TimesLIVE reported that she also confirmed leaving MK Party membership. This distinguishes leaving Parliament from leaving the party itself.
Parliament’s unrevised Hansard of 17 March 2026 subsequently recorded that Sithembile Innocentia Nkosi had filled the vacancy arising from Makhubele’s loss of membership, effective 10 March. That is the replacement date, separate from the effective date stated in Makhubele’s resignation letter.
No later party affiliation has been verified for this profile as of 6 November 2026.
Family information
The Citizen’s July 2023 interview described Makhubele as married with two sons. This is a dated account of what she shared publicly; it does not establish her current marital status.
Editorial review: 6 November 2026. Sources are linked beside the relevant facts. Browse more South African public figures in the Very Good Bio biography library.
