Minister of Arts and Culture

Personal

• Date of Birth: 23 September 1955
• Marital Status: Single

Current Positions

• 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.

Career/Memberships/Positions/Other Activities

• Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs (2006 - 2009).
• 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).