Princess Stella Sigcau (4 January 1937 or 14 January 1937 – 7 May 2006) is best known as a Minister in the South African Government. Sigcau was also the first female Prime Minister of the Transkei before being deposed in a military coup in 1987.
She was the daughter of King Botha Sigcau of the AmaMpondo tribe who was a former President of the Transkei in 1937. Her brothers are King Thandizulu Sigcau and the late ANC actvist and Member of Parliament NKosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau. She named Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau's daughter HRH Princess Stella Sigcau II (Founder: Lwandlolubomvu Rural Development Project; Founder and Festival Director: Ntsikayezwe Lamampondo Cultural and Heritage Festival) after her. Sigcau graduated from the Loveday Institute in 1954 before marrying Ronald Tshabalala in 1962. She taught in a number of schools in Natal during the 1960s.
In 1968, she was elected in Transkei representing the seat of Lusikisiki. Prior to the granting of independence, she held a number of portfolios. After independence, she held the portfolios of Interior Affairs and Posts and Telecommunications. She became the leader of the Transkei National Independence Party on 5 October 1987 and became the third Prime Minister of the Transkei two days later. Her term as Prime Minister did not last long as she was overthrown in a coup by General Bantu Holomisa.
Bantubonke Harrington Holomisa (born 25 July 1955) is a South African Member of Parliament and President of the United Democratic Movement.
Holomisa was born in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape. He joined the Transkei Defence Force in 1976 and had become a Brigadier by 1985. He overthrew Prime Minister Stella Sigcau in 1987 and was the Transkei's head of government from 1987 to 1994.
In 1994 Holomisa was elected to the African National Congress National Executive Committee, and was the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism of South Africa. After testifying at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission he was expelled from the ANC on 30 September 1996.
He co-founded the UDM in 1997 with Roelf Meyer, and was elected to parliament in 1999.