From prisoners to teachers – what South Africa’s new ministers did before running the country
South Africa’s new Government of National Unity (GNU) has started getting to work, with the new cabinet ministers showing varied experience.
After the ANC lost its majority in parliament, it formed a GNU with ten other parties.
After joining the GNU, the DA, IFP, PA, FF+, PAC, and GOOD received positions in the expanded cabinet.
Although many of these ministers are career politicians, many have dabbled in activities outside of the political sphere.
The most interesting story likely lies with new Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton Mckenzie, a convict turned whistleblower, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and founder of the Patriotic Alliance.
BusinessTech looked at some of the other interesting career paths that South Africa’s ministers held before their new roles.
Some of the ministers had rather obscure jobs that had little to do with their expertise.
For example, despite having a PhD in Public Affairs and a civil engineering background, electricity and energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa was previously the CEO of the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market.
Some of these ministers’ prior experience may have little to do with their current positions.
For instance, Cooperate Governance Minster Velenkhosi Hlabisa and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu were teachers before entering the political sphere.
Many ministers may have other political experiences, leadership qualities or qualifications that can help them with their new jobs.
Despite being a teacher, Mchunu’s appointment has been widely welcomed, with many criticising his predecessor, Bheki Cele, who was a former Commissioner of the South African Police Service.
As many ministers may have held several high-profile roles, we’ve looked at the most significant/interesting ones up until their appointment as ministers, excluding other cabinet roles.
Several ministers have also only worked in the public sector or for political parties, so we’ve looked at public sector jobs unrelated to political appointments, such as department staff.
| Ministry Position | 7th Administration | Previous Role |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy President | Paul Mashatile (ANC) | Gauteng Premier (Politics) |
| Electricity and Energy | Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (ANC) | CEO of Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market |
| Minister in the Presidency | Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (ANC) | COO of Sita |
| Women, Youth and Persons With Disabilities | Sindisiwe Chikunga (ANC) | Deputy Minister of Transport (Politics) |
| Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation | Maropene Ramokgopa (ANC) | Consul General in Mumbai, India (Politics) |
| Sisisi Tolashe | Minister of Social Development (ANC) | ANCWL Secretary-General (Politics) |
| Agriculture | John Steenhuisen (DA) | Leader of the Opposition (Politics) |
| Basic Education | Siviwe Gwarube (DA) | Western Cape Department of Health Spokesperson |
| Communications and Digital Technologies | Solly Malatsi (DA) | Western Cape Department of Transport Spokesperson |
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Velenkhosi Hlabisa (IFP) | High School Principal |
| Defence and Military Veterans | Angie Motshekga (ANC) | University Lecturer |
| Employment and Labour | Nomakhosazana Meth (ANC) | Eastern Cape MEC for Health |
| Forestry, Fisheries and Environment | Dr. Dion George (DA) | Financial Services Expert |
| Finance | Enoch Godongwana (ANC) | Financial Sector Transformation Council Head |
| Health | Dr. Aaron Motsoeledi (ANC) | Doctor |
| Science and Technology and Innovation | Dr. Blade Nzimande (SACP/ANC) | University lecturer |
| Higher Education | Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane (ANC) | Director of Water Governance and Customer Care at Harry Gwala District Municipality |
| Home Affairs | Dr. Leon Schreiber (DA) | Senior Research Specialist |
| Human Settlements | Mmamoloko Kubayi (ANC) | Skills Development Specialist |
| International Relations and Cooperation | Ronald Lamola (ANC) | Lawyer |
| Justice and Constitutional Development | Thembi Nkadimeng (ANC) | President of Salga |
| Correctional Services | Dr. Pieter Groenewald (FF+) | Mayor of Stilfontein (Politics) |
| Mineral and Petroleum Resources | Gwede Mantashe (ANC) | National Union of Mineworkers General Secretary |
| Police | Senzo Mchunu (ANC) | High school teacher |
| Public Works and Infrastructure | Dean Macpherson (DA) | Member of Parliament (Politics) |
| Small Business Development | Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (ANC) | Project Manager |
| Sports, Arts and Culture | Gayton Mackenzie (PA) | Prisoner + Entreprenuer |
| Tourism | Patricia de Lille (GOOD) | Laboratory Technician |
| Trade, Industry and Competition | Parks Tau (ANC) | President of Salga |
| Land Reform and Rural Development | Mzwanele Nyhontso (PAC) | Member of Parliament (Politics) |
| Public Service and Administration | Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi (IFP) | Veterinary Assistant |
| Transport | Barbara Creecy (ANC) | Gauteng MEC for Finance (Politics) |
| Water and Sanitation | Pemmy Majodina (ANC) | Eastern Cape MEC for Public Works (Politics) |
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