Aaron Motsoaledi is a South African politician and current Minister of Health. He previously served as the Minister of Home Affairs and remains a National Executive Committee member of the African National Congress (ANC).
Aaron Motsoaledi’s Age
Aaron Motsoaledi was born on the 7th of August 1958 in Phokwane, Transvaal, South Africa. He is 66 years old and usually celebrates his birthday every 7th August.
Early Life and Education
Aaron Motsoaledi was born in Phokwane into the family of Kgokolo Michael Motsoedi and Sina Sekeky Maile. After matriculating at the Setotolwane High School, he completed a pre-marital course at the University of the North at Turfloop, where he got involved in anti-apartheid student politics.
Aaron Motsoaledi studied medicine at the University of Natal, where he served on the student council before becoming their president in 1982.
He was one of the founding members of the Azanian Students Organization (AZASA), where he served as national secretary.
In 1983, Aaron Motsoaledi graduated with a bachelor of medicine and surgery.
Career
Aaron Motsoaledi’s career has circled the medical field and involvement in politics.
Medical Career and Political Activism
Aaron Motsoaledi practiced as a doctor in Northern Transvaal. Between 1986 and 1994, he was the chairperson of the Sekhukhune Advice Office, which offered legal counsel to anti-apartheid activists.
In 1989, Aaron Motsoaledi became the chairperson of the Hlahlolanang Health and Nutrition Education Project.
He further maintained links with the outlawed African National Congress (ANC).
In 1990, after the ANC was unbanned, Aaron Motsoaledi ran the party’s structures in Northern Transvaal.
Between 1991 to 1994, he served as the deputy chairperson of the Northern Transvaal.
Limpopo Provincial Legislature
In 1994, Aaron Motsoaledi was elected into the newly established Limpopo provincial legislature. He was further appointed to the executive council of Ngoako Ramatlhodi and the premier of Limpopo.
Aaron Motsoaledi remained in the portfolio until 1997, when he was sacked and replaced by Joe Phaahla. He served only as a Member of the Provincial Legislature.
In 1998, Aaron Motsoaledi returned to the executive council when he was appointed as MEC for Transport.
Following the 1999 election, he swapped positions and became the MEC for Agriculture, Land, and Environment until 2004.
After that, Aaron Motsoaledi returned to his previous office as MEC for Education. During this period, he was a member of the provincial executive committee of ANC’s Limpopo branch.
In 2007, Aaron Motsoaledi graduated from the provincial executive committee in Polokwane and was elected to the ANC’s National Executive Committee.
Minister of Health
In the 2009 election, Aaron Motsoaledi wasn’t interested in seeking reelection to the Limpopo provincial legislature but won a seat in the National Assembly.
After the election, he was appointed as the Minister of Health in the cabinet of the newly elected President Jacob Zuma.
Despite being considered unknown in national politics, Aaron Motsoaledi was strong enough to hold the position for over ten years.
During his time in office, he has to handle some issues, including the threat of a national doctors strike, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the 2017 listeriosis outbreak in South Africa, and the Life Esidimeni scandal in Gauteng.
Aaron Motsoaledi led a ministerial task team to investigate maladministration at the Health Professions Council of South Africa, which led to high-level dismissals.
Some of the notable achievements of his reign included the HIV/AIDS policy, the National Health Insurance (NHI) proposal, and preventive measures.
In 2012, Aaron Motsoaledi was reelected to the ANC national executive committee. He was further appointed as the chief representative of the committee in the provincial branch of Western Cape and a member of the 20-member national working committee.
Aaron Motsoaledi strongly criticized Jacob Zuma and supported Cyril Ramaphosa’s campaign to succeed Zuma as ANC president.
In 2018, after Cyril Ramaphosa was elected President of South Africa, he was retained as Minister of Health in the presidential cabinet.
Minister of Home Affairs
Aaron Motsoaledi was reelected to the National Assembly after the 2019 elections. He was appointed Minister of Home Affairs in Cyril Ramaphosa’s second cabinet.
He was a strong future in response to the 2022 prison break of Thabo Bester and the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023.
Aaron Motsoaledi announced the Department of Hoem Affairs controversial decision to end the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit.
In 2022, he was reelected to the national executive committee of ANC. Aaron Motsoaledi was further appointed as the chief representative in the Easter Cape and deputy chairperson of the sub-committee on Education, Health, Science and Technology.
Family
Aaron Motsoaledi is married to Thelma Dikeledi, and together, they have five children.
Net Worth
Aaron Motsoaledi has an undisclosed net worth.