By 
BLOEMFONTEIN — In a move aimed at fortifying administrative capacity and executive coordination, Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has officially appointed seasoned public sector administrator Thandiwe Mpondo as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Premier.
The announcement, released by the Free State Provincial Government Communication Services on August 3, signals a strategic effort by the 7th Administration to consolidate governance structures and leverage high-level expertise from within the province.
A native of Kroonstad, Mpondo brings a wealth of experience in parliamentary governance, Cabinet liaison, stakeholder relations, and organizational leadership. Her background spans executive support across several national departments, making her a veteran of complex intergovernmental machinery.
Prior to her new appointment, Mpondo served as Director of Parliamentary and Cabinet Coordination in the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. Between 2019 and 2024, she occupied a similar directorial post alongside stakeholder management responsibilities in the Department of Transport.
Her public service career also includes significant technical and executive management roles in the Department of Water and Sanitation, where she served as Office Manager to the Deputy Director-General of Corporate Services, as well as holding strategic and administrative functions within the Office of the Deputy Minister.
Beyond executive office coordination, Mpondo’s technical portfolio demonstrates strong public financial oversight. She possesses a documented record of managing complex parliamentary processes, ensuring regulatory compliance under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and National Treasury Regulations, and directing the tabling of statutory documentation, including Strategic Plans, Corporate Plans, and Annual Reports. Her skill set further encompasses high-level speechwriting, youth development initiatives, and cross-sphere intergovernmental alignment.
Welcoming the appointment, Premier Letsoha-Mathae emphasized both the tactical and broader political significance of bringing Mpondo into the province’s top executive centre.
“I am pleased to welcome Thandiwe Mpondo to the Office of the Premier. Her experience, insight and capabilities in high-level political and administrative support will strengthen the work of the inner office as we continue to advance the priorities of the Free State Provincial Government,” Premier Letsoha-Mathae stated.
The Premier added that the appointment reflects a core mandate of the current administration: “Furthermore, it’s a reaffirmation of the 7th Administration’s commitment to bring back the best brains of our Province to contribute in our tireless efforts to rebuild the Free State province.”
As the Free State provincial executive continues to execute its policy priorities, Mpondo’s arrival marks a pivotal step in driving operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and political-administrative alignment at the highest level of provincial governance.
