Emmanuel Mthethwa

Minister of Arts and Culture
Republic of South Africa

Mr Emmanuel Mthethwa has been Minister of Arts and Culture since 2014. He was involved in the anti-apartheid struggle from the age of 15 and was a member of the Klaarwater Youth Organisation, from 1982 to 1989, becoming its chair in 1987, a shop steward in the Food and Allied Workers Union, Secretary of the South African Youth Congress (Southern Natal) and Chairperson of the Southern Natal Unemployed Workers Union. He was elected first Branch Secretary of the ANC in Klaarwater in 1990 and entered the Parliament in 2002 where he chaired the Minerals and Energy Portfolio Committee and served as Chief Whip. He also sat on the Board of Directors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organisation Committee. Prior to his current position, he was Minister of Safety and Security and before that, Minister of Police. Educational achievements include a Diploma in Community Development (University of Natal), a Certificate in Mining Engineering (University of Johannesburg) and a Certificate in Communications and Leadership (Rhodes University). Currently he is studying for a diploma in Economic Policy with the University of London. Publications include articles for Mayibuye and Umrabulo and regular contributions to the Independent and The New Age newspapers.