Meet Angie Motshekga. She is a strong And Inspiring woman In South African politics. She started her journey as A teacher In Soweto and later became South Africa’s first female Minister of Defence. Her story shows how education And dedication Can lead to powerful leadership. This article explains her background, her political Rise, And what makes her an important leader Today.
Education And Early Career
Angie Motshekga studied hard. She earned a BA in Education from the University of Limpopo, And later got her BEd and MEd degrees From The University of the Witwatersrand.
She worked as A Teacher In:
- Orlando High School From 1981 To 1983
- Soweto College Of Education from 1983 To 1985
- Wits University From 1985 To 1994 As A Lecturer
Her time In education gave Her A strong passion for helping others And Fighting For better schools, Especially During Apartheid.
Activism And Union Foundations
Angie was active in fighting for education and human rights. She joined the Soweto Education Crisis Committee, the United Democratic Front, and the NECC. She helped bring teachers together and was one of the key people who started SADTU, a big teachers’ union. This was a big moment for bringing workers together in the new South Africa.
Political Ascent In Gauteng
In 1999, she entered politics by joining the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
She became:
- MEC for Social Development from 2000 to 2004
- MEC for Education from 2004 to 2009
During this time, she helped improve schools and services for children. This set the stage for her later work at the national level.
ANC Women’s League Leadership
Angie also led in the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL). She was:
- Deputy Provincial Secretary in 1997
- Regional Chairperson in Kyalami
- President of the ANCWL from 2008 to 2015
She worked hard to support women’s rights, leadership for women, and social justice inside the ANC and across South Africa.
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National Cabinet Influence
Angie was Minister of Basic Education from 2009 to 2024.
She served under both President Zuma and President Ramaphosa.
Some key things she did:
- Changed and improved the school curriculum
- Handled crises like the Limpopo textbook problem and exam mistakes
- Managed school feeding programs
She was sometimes criticized—for example, after saying that “an educated man won’t rape”—but she still became the longest-serving education minister in South Africa’s history.
Minister Of Defence And Military Veterans
Angie became Minister of Defence on 3 July 2024.
She has focused on:
- Letting older, high-paid officers retire early to bring in fresh talent
- Boosting the military’s budget by R5 billion
- Supporting South African troops in peacekeeping missions, especially in the DRC
Acting President Of South Africa
From 17 To 19 June 2025, Angie Motshekga was Acting President of South Africa when both the President And Deputy were away. This was A big moment In her Career And Showed how much trust She has earned In The Government.
Key Policy Highlights
1. Defence Budget Rejuvenation
- She supports Early retirement for older defence staff
- The money saved is being Used to buy better equipment And Improve the Military
2. DRC Mission Reassessment
- She Started A review of the South African Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- This was to protect soldiers after 14 South African troops died in one mission
Conclusion
Angie Motshekga’s journey from being a teacher in Soweto to leading South Africa’s defence department shows her strength and commitment. She has worked hard in education, politics, and national leadership. Her focus on education, defence, and women’s rights has made her a powerful and respected figure in South Africa. As the country’s first female Defence Minister and even Acting President Angie Motshekga continues to break barriers and lead with purpose.