Profile:     Ms. Sylvia Elizabeth Lucas
Date of Birth:  22 April 1964

Community and Political Involvement

Ms Sylvia Lucas became involved in political activities in 1980 whilst schooling at Carlton van Heerden high school in Upington

1983 – 1995 As a community Activist was part of leading the rent boycotts in Rosedale community, Upington.

As ANC leader in the branch formed part of the delegations to the Transitional Council to ensure communities get prepaid electricity when they could not afford conventional electrical power.

Initiated the Oasis Centre for People with disabilities under the banner of the ANC Women’s League during late 1990's.
Founding member of Radio Riverside community radio in Upington area.

Served as Executive trustee of the Northern Cape Educare Trust and a trustee member of the Ikemeleng Trust that served Free State and Northern Cape.

1993 - 1994 ANC Women’s League – Branch Chairperson – Rosedale Branch
1994 – 1996 ANC and ANC Women’s League REC member – Upington region
1996 – 1998 ANC Women’s League – Regional Secretary – Upington region
1998 - 2000 ANC Women’s League – Regional Chairperson – Upington region
1996 - 2000 ANC REC and RWC Member – Upington Region
2000 – 2004 Became the first Regional Chairperson of the merged Upington and part of Kuruman Region, known as Siyanda region.
2004 – 2007 ANC PEC-member
2000 – 2007 ANC Women’s League PEC and PWC Member
2006 – 2008 ANC Women’s League acting provincial secretary serving on the Women’s League NEC –ex Officio capacity
2008 – Date Deputy Provincial chairperson of the ANC Women’s League
2008 - 2012 ANC PEC and PWC – member – re-elected
2012 – Date   Re-elected ANC PEC and PWC-member

Public Positions and Work history

1983 – 1999 Public Servant – Department Social Development
1995 – 1999 ANC PR Councilor – Upington Municipality
1999 – 2000 Community Development Worker - /Khara Hais Municipality SAMWU Shopsteward and Chairperson of Upington Local
2000 – 2004 Member of the Provincial legislature 
2002 – 2004 Elected as Exco member of the Association of Public Accounts Committees
2004 – 2009 Member of the Provincial legislature, serving as ANC – Whip
2004 – 2006   Elected as Deputy General Secretary of Association of Public Accounts Committees
2006 – 2009   Elected as General Secretary of Association of Public Accounts Committees
2009 – Date Member of EXCO – Environment and Nature Conservation
2010   Acted as Premier from 28 November – 5 December

Committees

Served on the following committees in the Provincial Legislature

• Chairperson, Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
• Chairperson, Portfolio Committee on Social Development
• Member of following portfolio committees :  
  • Agriculture
  • Transport, Roads and Public Works
  • Housing and Local Government
  • Safety and Liaison
  • Education

Standing Committees

• Chairpersons
• Constitutional Affairs
• Gender
• Internal Arrangements
• Rules
• Public Accounts
• Women’s Caucus

Other Activities/Outbound Missions

April 2006 - Accompanied former ANC Secretary General and other provincial secretaries of the ANC, ANC Women’s  and Youth League on a party-to-party visit to Cuba

2001   - Study tour to United Kingdom, Canada and United States
2003   - Study tour to People’s Republic of China
2003   - CPA Parliamentary Workshop - Malawi
2004   - CPA Parliamentary Workshop – Swaziland
2005   - SADCOPAC Conference in Zanzibar

Since becoming a Member of the Executive Committee we undertook several visits abroad

Further Studies

2000–2001    University of the Free State - Certificate – Introduction to Project Management
2002             Module - Principals of Legislative Oversight
2010             University of the Free Sate – Certificate -  Legislature Development Program

Short Courses on NQF Level 6 and 7 completed

Action Research in the Public Sector
Leadership Communication
Public Management Law
Policy Making and Analysis
Strategic Planning for the Public and Municipal Sector
Performance Management for the Public and Municipal Sector
Public Financial Control and Accountability
Project Management for Public Managers

2012            University of South Africa - Certificate in Governance and Public Leadership
2012 – 2013 Currently busy with Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Leadership