AARON MOTSOALEDI
THE NEWLY APPOINTED MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS
On 29 May 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Dr Aaron Motsoaledi as the new Minister of the Department of Home Affairs following the announcement of the new cabinet.
His responsibilities as the Minister will include oversight over Immigration & Civic Affairs.
Some interesting facts about the new Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi:
- Motsoaledi was born on 7 August 1958 at Phokwane village in Northen Cape Province and was one of nine children (seven boys and two girls) in the family. Currently, Motsoaledi is married to Thelma Dikeledi (Mpyane) and has three daughters and two sons.
- Motsoaledi obtained his Bachelor of Medicine Degree at the University of the North at Turfloop. In 1980, during his studies, he was elected to the student representative council and participated in the formation of a student movement, the Azanian Students’ Organisation (AZASO), of which he was elected as the national correspondence secretary.
- Motsoalediwas appointed as the Minister of Health of South Africa from May 2009 until May 2019.
- In April 2010, Motsoaledi received the Special Annual Appreciation Award by His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, the Ruler of Ajman and UAE Supreme Council member during the 6th Annual Convocation ceremony held at the Gulf Medical University.
- During his role as the Minister of Heath, Motsoalediclenched two prestigious Kochon prizes for his role and political leadership in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) globally. Motsoaledi administered to the first South African state patient a fixed dose combination (FDC) Antiretroviral tablet of Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir on 9 April 2013 in GaRankuwa.
Outline of Minister Dr Motsoaledi’s Career and Other Activities:
Minister Dr Motsoaledi gained his political awareness after witnessing the arrest of a neighbour for not carrying a “dompas” and was later heavily influenced by the 1976 Soweto uprising.
- 1980: Student Council Representative for AZASO
- 1986 – 1994: Chairperson of the Sekhukhune Advice Office
- 1989: Chairperson of Hlahlolanang Health and Nutrition Education Project
- 1991 – 1992: Deputy Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in the then Northern Transvaal
- 1994: Head of the ANC Elections, Research and Briefing for Limpopo Province
- 1994 – 2009: Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature
- 1994 – 1997: Member of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council for Education
- 1998 – 1999: Member of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council for Transport
- 1999: Member of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council for Agriculture, Land and Environment
- 2009 – 2019: South African Minister of the Department of Health
