Career
She was the mayor of Cape Town in South Africa from 1998-2000 and again from 2002 to 2006. Prior to entering politics Mfeketo"s worked for a number of non-governmental organisations (non-governmental organization). From 1981 to 1991 Mfeketo worked for the agricultural training non-governmental organization ZAKH after which she worked for the Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT) from 1991 to 1992.
From 1992-1994 Mfeketo worked for the Development Action Group (DAG) on a public housing project
In 1993, she became involved in negotiations to combine state and non-state activities in preparation for South Africa"s transition to multiracial democracy. Following Mfeketo"s work with DAG she was elected Chairperson of the first democratically elected City Council in Cape Town for the 1996 – 1998 pre–interim phase.
Mayorship
She became the fourth woman and the first black woman to be mayor of the city when she held the post of Mayor briefly in 1998. She held the post until the District Attorney regained control of the council in 2006, after which Helen Zille took office.
Post-mayorship
In 2007, Mfeketo was elected to the African National Congress"s National Executive Committee.
On May 6, 2009, Mfeketo was elected as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Mfeketo served in this position until May 21, 2014, when she was succeeded by former Minister of Company-Operative Governance, Lechesa Tsenoli. In 2009 the District Attorney alleged that Mfeketo received a custom built "mansion" worth R8 million as part of a controversial government housing plan for ministers in Cape Town and Pretoria even though she owned a private residence 9 km away.