Ndabeni-Abrahams was born in Sakhela, a village near Mthatha, in 1978. She is the first-born of six children in her family and her parents were pastors. She completed her secondary school education at the Holy Cross Senior Secondary School in Mthatha.
Career
Ndabeni-Abrahams is a recipient of an Advanced Certificate in Project Management, Rhodes University; Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Diploma in Telecommunications and Management Systems; as well as a Certificate in Telecommunications, Policy and Regulation Management, Wits University. She was previously the Deputy Minister of the Department of Communications from 26 May 2014 to 30 March 2017. Prior to the 2014 elections, she held the same position in the then DoC from 25 October 2011 until 25 May 2014. Prior to being an MP, Ms Ndabeni-Abrahams was a Project Manager for the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council from 2003 to 2009. On November 22, 2018, she was appointed as Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and Postal Services and will oversee the unification of the two ministries. Around 7 April 2020, amidst the 21-day national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, Ndabeni-Abrahams was at the center of a nationwide controversy after ANC NEC member Mduduzi Manana posted a photo online of them having lunch together. Manana captioned the picture: "It was great to host a former colleague and dear sister Cde Stella Ndabeni- Abrahams on her way back from executing critical and essential services required for the effective functioning of our country during the nationwide lockdown". She was immediately criticized for ignoring lockdown regulations. President Cyril Ramaphosa then summoned her to explain to him why she appeared to have broken lockdown regulations and directed her to deliver a public apology to the nation. Ndabeni-Abrahams released a video apology, directed to the President and the country. Ramaphosa accepted the minister's apology for the violation, but in a statement said he "was unmoved by mitigating factors she tendered". Ndabeni-Abrahams was temporarily relieved of her duties for two months, with one month unpaid. She paid a R1,000 fine and now has a criminal record.
Personal life
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has three children and is married to Thato Abrahams.
