Angie Motshekga, whose full name is Matsie Angelina “Angie” Motshekga, is a South African educational practitioner and politician currently serving as the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans.

Angie Motshekga’s Age

Angie Motshekga was born on the 19th of June, 1955 in Soweto, Transvaal Province, in the Union of South Africa. She is currently 69 years of age and typically celebrates her birthday every 19th of June.

Early Life and Education

Angie Motshekga, whose complete name is Matsie Angelina “Angie” Motshekga, was born in Soweto, Transvaal Province, in the former Union of South Africa. 

She attended several schools in Soweto before completing her primary education.

Angie Motshekga obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of the North. Thereafter, she received a Bachelor of Educational Science degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Career

Angie Motshekga’s career has circled the education sector and politics.

Teaching Career

In 1981, Angie Motshekga got her first job as a teacher; she was employed to teach at Orlando High School. 

She worked diligently in the school until 1983, when she resigned. Angie Motshekga was appointed as a lecturer at the Soweto College of Education. 

The appointment showed an advancement in her teaching career in the country.

In 1985, she rose to fame in the education sector and became a lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand. Angie Motshekga maintained her position as a lecturer until 1994.

Political Career

While working as a teacher, Angie Motshekga was a member of the Soweto Education Crisis Committee, which later became a part of the National Education Coordinating Committee.

Also, she was a member of the United Democratic Front, the National Education Union of South Africa, and the Pimville Civic Association. 

Angie Motshekga convened diverse teacher unity talks, which were instrumental in forming the South African Democratic Teachers Union.

Also, she was the chairperson of the African National Congress Women’s League and served between 1994 and 1997 as a director in the office of the presidency.

In 1997, Angie Motshekga was elected as the deputy secretary of the ANCWL.

Gauteng Provincial Government

After the 1999 elections, Angie Motshekga was sworn in as a member of the Gauteng provincial legislature. 

Furthermore, she was named the legislature’s education committee chairperson.

In 2000, she was appointed to the Socio Development Portfolio of the Executive Council by Premier Mbhazima Shilowa.

After the 2004 elections, Angie Motshekga made her return to the legislature while serving for a second term.

Also, Premier Mbhazima Shilowa moved her to the education portfolio.

In 2008, Angie Motshekga was elected as the national president of the ANC Women’s League. She defeated Bathabile Dlamini while earning over 1000+ votes.

National Government

In 2009, Angie Motshekga was elected to the South African National Assembly. Following the unbundling of the education portfolio by elected President Jacob Zuma, she was appointed as the Minister of Basic Education.

During her first term, there was an issue of textbooks being undelivered to Limpopo schools, which resulted in a call for her to step down.

Despite the call, she remained firm in her position as minister.

After the 2014 elections, Angie Motshekga was retained by President Jacob Zuma. The following year, she was unseated as the president of ANC’s women’s league by Bathabile Dlamini.

In 2017, Angie Motshekga was determined to regain her position and ran for the ANC presidency. She, however, lost following the league’s endorsement of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Following the resignation of Jacob Zuma and the emergence of Cyril Ramaphosa, Angie Motshekga retained her ministerial position.

In 2019, she became the longest-serving education minister in the country’s history and was re-elected as a member of parliament.

In 2021, Angie Motshekga acted as the acting president of the country as President Cyril Ramaphosa attended Kenneth Kaunda’s funeral in Zambia.

After the 2024 elections, she became the Minister of Defence and for Military Veterans.

Family

Angie Motshekga is married to Mathole Motshekga, the former Premier of Gauteng and ex-ANC chief whip.

Net Worth

Angie Motshekga’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $30 million.