Art, Government Government of South Africa Women, Children and People with Disabilities Minister South Africa

Current Positions

    * Replaced Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya as minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities on 31 October 2010.
    * Former Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa since 11 May 2009.
    * Member of African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) National Working Committee (NWC) since 1993.
    * Member of Parliament since 1994.


Academic Qualifications

    * Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Witwatersrand (1985).
    * Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development and Leadership Studies from Zimbabwe, Harare (1998).
    * Post Graduate Diploma in Economic Principles from the University of London (2002).
    * Enrolled for Master of Sciences in Development Finance at the University of London.
    * Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs of the Republic of South Africa (22 May 2006 10 May 2009).


Career/Memberships/Positions/Other Activities

    * Worked for the Learn and Teach as a Tutor, trainer and running classes for the Domestic workers in the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg and rural areas. (1985 -1987).
    * Worked for the South African Council of Churches as Director, Women's Development Programmes (1987).
    * Member of the Federation of South African Women (1981 - 1991).
    * Member of the United Democratic Front (UDF) (1983 - 1991).
    * Member of (ANCWL), Head of Development Section (1991 - 1994).
    * Chairperson of Sports, and Recreation Portfolio Committee (1994 - 1999).
    * Chairperson of Malibongwe Rural Development Project for women (1998 - 2000).
    * Member of Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) (1998 - 2001).
    * Member of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Portfolio Committee (1996 - 2004).
    * Chairperson of Parliamentary Women's Caucus (1999 - 2004).
    * Member of Defence Portfolio Committee (1999 - 2004).
    * Member of Minerals and Energy Portfolio Committee (1999 2004).
    * Chairperson of Joint Monitoring Committee on Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Women (2002 - 2004).
    * Chairperson of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Women's Caucus (2002 - 2004).
    * Member of the Cabinet Committee on Investment and Employment (2004).
    * Member of the Cabinet Committee on International Relations, Peace and Security (2004).
    * Member of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Sector (2004).
    * Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South Africa (2004 - 2006).
    * Former member of National Executive Committee (NEC)of ANC (1993 - 2007).

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs