Positions last held in government

He served as the Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of South Africa until 30 March 2017. 

Academic Qualifications

Mr Jonas matriculated at Newewell High School in Port Elizabeth.He graduated from Vista University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology after which he obtained a Higher Diploma in Education at Rhodes University.

He has completed further courses in marketing from the University of Cape Town and several investment and trade promotion courses (Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia as well as development training with the German agency, GTZ).

Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities

A born activist, Mr Jonas became active in politics from the age of 14. He led a number of political activities in the Port Elizabeth area and launched underground structures in the Eastern Cape and beyond. He was inspired by the politics of the black Consciousness movement in the early 80s and was an organiser of Azaso (Azanian Students Organisation). He played a key role in the establishment of the United Democratic Front (UDF) structures in the Eastern Cape, escaping the hit squads many times. He was later sent to exile to complete military training in Angola and Uganda for the Peoples Army, Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK). While in exile he was employed by the United Nations to run an education program for the Mkhonto Wesizwe (MK) carders.

Upon his return in the 90s, Mr Jonas played a key role in establishing the structures of the ANC and the SACP in the Eastern Cape. Recognising his outstanding skills, the ANC deployed as one of those that established the new Provincial administration in the Eastern Cape at the dawn of democracy in 1994. He has been a member of the Eastern Cape ANC Provincial Executive Committee for two terms (1997-2004 and 2007-2009).

He was a General Manager: AFESIS Corplan (PTY) Ltd ,tasked with providing capacity and support for development planning in the Eastern Cape and a Regional Director for SACHED.

He served as a Chief Executive Officer in Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council between 1997-1999.

Chief Executive Officer for Centre for the Investment Marketing of the Eastern Cape (CIMEC)-(developing the investment promotion agenda which resulted to the establishment of the ECDC, Coega IDZ and the ELIDZ) between 1999 and 2000.

He was Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Cape Development Corporation (tasked with the amalgamation of the then Transkei Development Corporation, Ciskei Development Corporation, Ciskei Peoples Bank and other smaller development institutions)between 2000 and 2005.

Member of the Executive Council (EXCO responsible for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (2009-2014). This involved providing political oversight to a number of economic public entities.

He resigned as an ANC member of parliament on 06 April 2017. Mr Jonas is a Member of the African National Congress.