Enoch Godongwana is a renowned South African politician and ex-trade unionist who serves as the Minister of Finance. He remains a strong member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC).

Enoch Godongwana’s Age

Enoch Godongwana was born on the 9th of June 1957 in Cala, which is now known as Eastern Province in South Africa. He is 67 years of age and usually celebrates his birthday on the 9th of June.

Early Life and Education 

Enoch Godongwana was born in the former Cape Province in the Union of South Africa. He matriculated from the John’s College in Mthatha and then completed his MSC in financial economics at the University of London.

Career

Enoch Godongwana started his political career as a trade unionist; he worked as a steward for the Metal and Allied Workers Union. 

Following his rise in the union, he was promoted to organizer for the National Union of Metalworkers while serving for six years.

During his time with the Metal Workers Union, Enoch Godongwana was a member of the Committee of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu).

He was a founding member of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) and was present during the drafting of the labor legislation.

Eastern Cape Executive Council

In 1997, Enoch Godongwana left the union. He took an office in the Executive Council of the Eastern Cape while being appointed as the MEC for finance, economic affairs, environment, and tourism.

Following the 2004 elections, his portfolio was reduced, and he was maintained as the MEC for finance.

Enoch Godongwana established the single government checkbook, which prevented reckless spending.  Under the ANC, he was part of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and gradually rose through the ranks in the Eastern Cape.

A year before being dismissed as MEC for finance, Enoch Godongwana was elected as the deputy provincial chairperson of the Eastern Cape ANC. He remained a member of the provincial legislature before his resignation.

First Legislative Recess

Enoch Godongwana became the head of the Financial Sector Charter Council after leaving provincial government. 

He was a director of more than 20+ companies and was re-elected to the ANC NEC in 2007.

Enoch Godongwana was rumoured to have supported Tokyo Sexwale’s aborted presidential campaign before the conference.

Following the conclusion of the 52nd ANC conference, he was appointed as the chairperson of the subcommittee on labour.

However, the subcommittee was dissolved, and he took up another time as the chairperson for policy in the subcommittee on economic transformation.

National Assembly

In 2008, Enoch Godongwana became a part of the national assembly while remaining in the lower house of parliament. 

He was succeeding Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi’s position after her resignation. The following year, Enoch Godongwana was re-elected in the national assembly and appointed deputy minister of public enterprises. 

He was seen as a possible option for the role of deputy minister of finance.

In 2010, he was moved to deputy minister of economic development following the first cabinet reshuffling. 

In 2012, Enoch Godongwana resigned as deputy minister of economic development and looked to focus on himself.

Second Legislative Recess

For the next 10 years, Enoch Godongwana was absent from all legislative-related political positions. 

During this period, he held non-executive director positions at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the New Development Bank, and Mondi PLC.

Enoch Godongwana was mainly focused on having a clear mind before returning to political positions. 

Minister of Finance

On the 5th of August 2021, following the reshuffling of the president’s cabinet, Enoch Godongwana was appointed as the Minister of Finance.

He was appointed as the successor of Tito Mboweni, who was requested to step down. After he resumed office, the economy responded well.

Enoch Godongwana earned another appointment to the cabinet after being sworn in to the national assembly in 2023.

The following year, he was sworn into the president’s cabinet for the third time.

Family

Enoch Godongwana is married to Thandiwe Godongwana.

Net Worth

Enoch Godongwana’s net worth is undisclosed.