In 1993, she became involved in negotiations to combine state and non-state activities in preparation for South Africa's transition to multiracial democracy. Following Mfeketo's work with DAG she was elected Chairperson of the first democratically elected City Council in Cape Town for the 1996 – 1998 pre–interim phase.[1]
Mayorship
She became the fourth woman and the first black woman to be mayor of the city when she held the post of Mayor briefly in 1998.[1] She was re-elected mayor following the floor-crossing period which gave her party, the African National Congress (ANC), the majority in the city council in 2002, ousting Gerald Morkel of the Democratic Alliance (DA).[5] She held the post until the DA regained control of the council in 2006, after which Helen Zille took office. Mfeketo left office amidst accusations of corruption, nepotism, and mismanagement.[6][7]
Parliament
In 2007, Mfeketo was elected to the ANC's National Executive Committee. On May 6, 2009, Mfeketo was elected as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.[8] Mfeketo served in this position until May 21, 2014, when she was succeeded by former Minister of Co-Operative Governance, Lechesa Tsenoli.
In 2009 the DA alleged that Mfeketo received a custom built 'mansion' worth R8 million as part of a controversial government housing plan for ministers in Cape Town and Pretoria even though she owned a private residence 9 km away.[9]
Ambassadorship
Mfeketo was appointed Ambassador to the United States in 2020. Her activities as South African ambassador to the United States have been criticized by the South African media as a "great embarrassment"[10] and as "disastrous."[11]
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