A track-record of service

HE Mr Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa is South Africa’s Ambassador to the Republic of France.

He was the Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa from the 26 May 2014 to 2019. From 2019 to 2023 he served as the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Between 2007 and 2022 he served as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC), the party’s chief executive organ and highest decision-making body between conferences. During the same period, he was a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of South Africa’s governing party. The NWC is responsible for the day-to-day running of the party and makes recommendations to the NEC.

From 2002 to 2023 he was a Member of Parliament.

He is an active member of the King Dingiswayo branch of the ANC in KwaZulu Natal (KZN).

He was elected as the first Branch Secretary of the ANC in Klaarwater in KZN in 1990.

Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities

He joined the Klaarwater Youth Organisation from the age of 15 in KZN, rising to the role of Chairperson of the Klaarwater Youth Organisation from 1987 to 1989.

He has also served as a Shopsteward of the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) where he was recruited to serve in the underground work of the ANC’s military wing, uMkhonto We Sizwe, as part of Operation Vula from 1988. He was arrested during the Apartheid Regime’s state of emergency in 1989. He was later elected Publicity Secretary of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO) in Southern Natal and as Chairperson of the Southern Natal Unemployed Workers Union, an initiative of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) between 1989 and 1990, respectively. Between 1996 and 1998 he was Organiser for the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (SACCAWU). In 1996 he was elected Chairperson of Klaarwater Residents Association.

He became Regional Administrative Secretary of the Southern Natal African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) from 1990 to 1991. Between 1991 and 1994 he became the Regional Secretary of the Southern Natal ANCYL. He was elected to the NEC of the ANCYL, serving in its NWC as Secretary for Organization, from 1994 to 1996. From 1996 to 1998 he was re-elected to the NEC of the ANCYL. His re-election into the NEC of the ANCYL from 1998 to 2001 saw him occupy a new role as Head of Organisational Development, which incorporated political education and organising functions. He was deployed into the ANC National Organising team during the period 2001 to 2002.

During his tenure as a Member of Parliament, Mr Mthethwa served as Chairperson of the Minerals and Energy Portfolio Committee from 2004 to 2008, and as Chief Whip of the ANC in 2008.

Prior to his appointment as Minister of Police, Mr Mthethwa was the Minister of Safety and Security of the Republic of South Africa from 25 September 2008 to 10 May 2009. Mr Mthethwa was the Minister of Police of the Republic of South Africa from 11 May 2009 until 25 May 2014. He also served on the Board of Directors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee.

 Personal Details

Date of Birth: 23 January 1967

Interests

Writing and Sports

Academic Qualifications

Mr Mthethwa holds a Diploma in Community Development from University of Natal, Executive Preparatory Programme Certificate in Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg and a Certificate in Leadership Communication from Rhodes University.

Research/Presentations/Awards/Decorations/Bursaries and Publications

Mr Mthethwa has contributed articles to Mayibuye and Umrabulo Publications.