Minister of Energy of the Republic of South Africa since 11 May 2009.
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).
Woman Organiser of the National Executive Council (NEC) of South African Youth Congress SAYCO) (1987 - 1990).
Joined the African National Congress Youth League as the secretary for Women Affairs (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 Parliament (National Assembly) and was responsible for the Northern Cape and ANC membership/Caucus Register (1994 - 1997).
Member of Provincial Executive of the ANC in the Northern Cape (1996).
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).
Deputy Chairperson of the ANC in the Northern Cape, and later acting Provincial Chairperson (2004).
Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC)(December 2003 - December 2007).
Premier of the Northern Cape Province (22 April 2004 - 10 May 2009).
