Ntombazana Botha's appointment as the new deputy minister of local and provincial government was welcomed by the ANC on Tuesday.
Her appointment to the newly created position by President Thabo Mbeki was an indication of the seriousness the government attached to strengthening local government, the ANC said.
Born in East London, Botha was an activist in the United Democratic Front and trade unions, and served in the regional interim committee established in 1990, responsible for setting up ANC structures in the former Border region.
An activist for gender equality, she served as the vice-president of the Eastern Cape Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition during 1996 and 1997, before becoming an MP in July 1997.
Botha is to be sworn in at a ceremony in the presidential office at Tuynhuys on Wednesday. - Sapa