Kopeng Obed Bapela (born 28 February 1958) is a South African politician who is currently serving as the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises since 6 March 2023.
After joining Parliament in 2002, he rose to become Chairperson of the National Assembly before President Jacob Zuma appointed him as Deputy Minister of Communications from 2010 to 2011.
He has been a member of the ANC National Executive Committee since 2012 and has been particularly active in foreign affairs, including as the party's head of international relations between 2013 and 2015.
[12] He was appointed to lead the NEC's subcommittee on international relations,[12] although he held that position for less than three years before he was replaced by Edna Molewa in September 2015.
[21] His replacement followed reports that, under his leadership, the subcommittee had contradicted the government's position on certain sensitive issues – such as South Africa's membership of the International Criminal Court – and thus had complicated diplomatic relations.
[22] Pursuant to the 2014 general election, Bapela was appointed as Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Zuma's second-term cabinet.
[13] He was one of two deputy ministers in the portfolio, handling traditional affairs while Andries Nel took responsibility for provincial and local government.
[23] He held the office for close to nine years, gaining appointment to the same position in the first and second cabinets of Zuma's successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
[24][25] After the 55th National Conference, in early 2023, he was appointed to return to the NEC's subcommittee on international relations, this time as deputy chairperson under Nomvula Mokonyane.
[26] Weeks after the 55th National Conference, on 6 March 2023, Ramaphosa announced a cabinet reshuffle which saw Bapela moved to become Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises.