Zamani Saul
Zamani Saul (born 7 March 1972) is a South African politician who serves as the 5th Premier of the Northern Cape, a role he has held since 22 May 2019. He is also the Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Northern Cape, a position he has held since 12 May 2017. Before that, he was the ANC’s Provincial Secretary (2008–2017) and Deputy Provincial Secretary (2004–2008).
Education and family: Saul completed his Grade 12 at Umso High School in Colesberg. He earned a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of the Free State, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of the Western Cape, and a Doctorate of Laws in Public Law and Jurisprudence from the University of the Western Cape. He is pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Multi-Disciplinary Studies at the University of South Africa. He is married to Tapsy Saul and they have children. They live in Kimberley, Northern Cape.
Career highlights: Saul was the municipal manager of the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality from 2000 to 2008. He rose through ANC leadership, serving as Deputy Provincial Secretary (2004–2008) and Provincial Secretary (2008–2017). In May 2017, he was elected unopposed as ANC Northern Cape Provincial Chairperson, succeeding John Block. He is viewed as aligned with Cyril Ramaphosa’s faction within the ANC. After the ANC won the Northern Cape provincial election in 2019, he was chosen as the premier candidate and took office on 22 May 2019.
Early tenure as premier: Saul pledged to reduce wastage in government. He announced cost-saving measures, including banning ministers from getting new cars and using the savings to buy 63 ambulances. He also said his office would receive a bowl of fresh fruit each morning, and that the Premier’s official car would be replaced after 120,000 km, with ambulances set to run well beyond 952,000 km before replacement.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:10 (CET).