Government Government of South Africa Minister of Energy South Africa

Current Positions

    * Minister of Energy of the Republic of South Africa since 11 May 2009.
    * Member of the African National Congress (ANC) and the Women's League National Executive Committee.


Academic Qualifications

    * Attended school at Tidimalo Junior Secondary and Tshireleco Senior secondary respectively.
    * Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from University of the North (1987).
    * Certificate in Development and Public Policy from UWC (SADEP) (1996).
    * Certificate in Executive Management from UCT Graduate School of Business (2002).
    * Certificate in International Policy Management, Havana, Cuba (2002).


Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities

    * Joined the Young Christian Students where political activism started.
    * Participated in Youth Formations in the church and community.
    * Deputy Chairperson of the Women's Forum in AZASO which later became SASCO at the University of the North.
    * Member of the Galeshewe Youth Congress, an affiliate of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
    * Worked as a volunteer regional organiser for the South African Domestic Worker's Union, amongst which she dealt with recruiting, organising, educating and counseling domestic workers in the Northern Cape (1987).
    * Head of Women's Department at the South African Youth Congress (1987 - 1990).
    * Joined the African National Congress Youth League as the secretary for Women Affairs (1990).
    * Woman Organiser of the National Executive Council (NEC) of South African Youth Congress SAYCO) (1987 - 1990).
    * Member of the Provincial National Youth Committee (PNYC) (1990 - 1991).
    * Member of the Portfolio Committees on Home Affairs, Public Works, Social Services and Health.
    * Worked for NCCR a United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) structure which worked for the repatriation of political exiles and re-intergration of political prisoners after the unbanning of political organisations.
    * Worked as a social worker for the NCCR, tasks included liaising with other organizations on behalf of the Committee in the Northern Cape, administering grants for the disabled, aged and un-accompanied minors, and proposing and implementing service plans for the individuals and groups of returnees (1992 - 1994).
    * Member of Provincial Executive of the ANC in the Northern Cape (1996).
    * Member of Parliament (National Assembly) and was responsible for the Northern Cape and ANC membership/Caucus Register (1994 - 1997).
    * Deputy Chairperson of the ANC in the Northern Cape, and later acting Provincial Chairperson (2004).
    * ANC Chief Whip in the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature (1997 - 1999).
    * ANC's Treasurer for the Northern Cape Province (1997 - 2003).
    * Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Health (1999 - 2004).
    * Provincial Deputy Chairperson of ANC (May - December 2003).
    * Member of the ANC Womens' League National Executive Committee (2002 - 2003).
    * Member of ANC National Executive Committee (1998 - 2007).
    * Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC)(December 2003 - December 2007).
    * Premier of the Northern Cape Province (22 April 2004 - 10 May 2009).


Source: Office of the Premier