Current Positions

Mr Thabang Samson Phathakge Makwetla is the Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa from 26 May 2014. He was elected to the ANC'S Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in Mpumalanga Province in 2002; and as a Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in Mpumalanga Province since 2005.

Academic Qualifications

Mr Makwetla obtained a Diploma in Public and Policy Development Administration (PPDA) from Wits Graduate School and a Diploma in Social Science from Academy of Social Sciences in Sofia Bulgaria. He matriculated at Mmabathoana High School in Maseru Lesotho in 1977.

Positions last held/Career/Memberships/Other Activities

Mr Makwetla was member of the South African Student's Movement (SASM) Polokwane in 1974 and went into exile and joined Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) in 1976. While in exile he lived in Angola Botswana Lesotho and Zambia as a member of ANC Umkhonto weSizwe underground functionary from 1979 to 1990.

He also served as Treasurer of the South African Communist Party (SACP) Botswana Region from 1986 to 1988. He returned to South Africa after unbanning of political Organisations in 1990 where served as an Executive member of the ANC Gender Commission in 1992; a member of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) National Executive Committee and National Working Committee (NWC) from 1990 to 1994.

As a member of Parliament Mr Makwetla served as a member of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation from 1994 to 1996; a member of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism and Environment from 1994 to 1996; a member of Parliament from 1994 to 2001; a Chairperson of the ANC Caucus from 1996 to 2001; a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence from 1994 to 2001; a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence from 1998 to 2001; a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts from 2000 to 2001; a member of Finance Committee from 2000 to 2001 and as a member of the Ministerial Task Group on Civic Education in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

He was also a member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature afrom 2001 to 10 May 2009; MEC for Safety and Security in Mpumalanga Province from from 2001 to 2004.
and as a Premier of Mpumalanga Province from 21 April 2004 to 10 May 2009. He is a former member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC).

Mr Thabang Samson Phathakge Makwetla was the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans of the Republic of South Africa from 11 May 2009 until May 2014.