Dr Shauwn Mkhize made headlines a few months ago when she shared photos of herself with Dr Zweli Mkhize and his son Dedani. She explained in her caption that she had decided to play the big sister role of reconciling her “dear father” and her “little brother.”
As expected, the post sparked a debate among Twitter users who wanted to know if Dr Zweli Mkhize is Shauwn Mkhize’s biological father.
This article examines Dr. Zweli Mkhize’s relationship with Shauwn Mkhize and reveals their connection.
Despite having the same surname, all sources indicate that Dr Zweli Mkhize is not the biological father of Dr Shauwn Mkhize.
Dr Shauwn Mkhize was born in 1975 in Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal, where she was also raised. Her mother, Florence Mkhize, was a fierce anti-apartheid activist, and her father, Sipho Mkhize, was an ANC leader and anti-apartheid warrior who was allegedly killed by police.
Although this eliminates Dr Zweli Mkhize as Shauwn Mkhize’s biological father, it does not rule out the possibility of Dr Zweli Mkhize and Shauwn Mkhize having a relationship. Some social media users believe Dr Zweli Mkhize is Shauwn Mkhize’s relative or even her paternal uncle.
It should be noted, as one tweep pointed out, that in most African cultures, the term father is sometimes used to show respect for our elder male relatives, not just biological fathers.
Dr Shauwn Mkhize is a well-known wealthy businesswoman, reality show star, socialite, and philanthropist who has recently become a national household name.
Shauwn Mkhize earned a Diploma in Accounting from Durban University of Technology and worked in various finance departments before starting her own business.
In the early 2000s, she founded Zikhulise Group, which has holdings in the mining, construction, transportation, and cleaning industries.
Shauwn was previously married to Sbu Mpisane, a former police officer, and the couple had a son, Andile Mpisane, in 2001. In 2019, Shauwn and Sbu divorced.
Shauwn Mkhize is interested in football in addition to her Zikhulise Group. She bought Royal AM F.C. in 2021, and her son is the club’s chairman.
Shauwn Mkhize has been involved in philanthropic activities that seek to improve the lives of black people in her community and black-owned businesses. Her philanthropic and business efforts earned her the Woman of the Year award at the 2020 Hollywood And African Prestigious Awards.
Dr Zweli Mkhize is a medical doctor, politician, and former cabinet minister who was born in Willowfontein, Pietermaritzburg, in 1956.
Mkhize earned his medical degree at the University of Natal. In 1984, he worked at Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg before being forced to flee.
Dr. Zweli Mkhize returned to South Africa in 1991 and joined the ANC’s national health secretariat.
He was appointed as the KwaZulu Natal MEC for Health in 1994, a position he held for ten years, making him the country’s longest-serving MEC. He was also the MEC for Finance and Economic Development in KwaZulu Natal.
Dr. Zweli Mkhize was Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2018 to 2019, then Minister of Health from 2019 until his resignation in 2021.
Dr. Mkhize is a key figure in ANC politics and has presidential ambitions. He recently announced that he will run for president for the second time after failing to secure the ANC presidential nomination in 2017.
