Positions last held in government
Ms Joemat-Pettersson served as the Minister of Energy of the Republic of South Africa with effect from 26 May 2014 until 30 March 2017.
Academic Qualifications
Ms Joemat-Pettersson attended the William Pescodia High School in the Northern Cape.
She holds a BA degree in Executive Management in Education from the University of Cape Town; a BA degree in English and History from the University of the Western Cape (UWC); and a Higher Diploma in Education from the UWC.
Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities
Ms Joemat-Pettersson was an active member of the Azanian Students Organisation between 1985 and 1986.
She was a teacher at Pescodia Secondary School in 1987 and at Homevale Senior Secondary School between 1992 and 1993. During the period 1989 to 1991, she was a tutor in History; and from 1992 to 1993, she was a tutor in English for the National Education Coordinating Committee, as well as for the Education Development Trust. She was also a research assistant to the head of the English Department at the UWC in 1990 and a member of the National People's Education Panellist in 1992.
In 1992, Ms Joemat-Pettersson was a national representative of the South African Democratic Teacher's Union (Sadtu) for the Northern Cape and a member of Sadtu.
From 1992 to 1993, she was a member of the Union of Democratic University Staff Association and a member of the Northern Cape Regional Delegate to the ANC National Education and Cultural Desk. Between 1993 and 1994, she was a lecturer in the English Department at the University of the Free State.
In 1994, she became a member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature; and between 1994 and 1999, she was a member of the Executive Council for Education, Arts and Culture in the Northern Cape. From 1997 to 2001, Ms Joemat-Pettersson was a board member of the Helen Joseph Women Development Centre.
She was elected chairperson of the ANC Women's League (ANCWL) in the Northern Cape in 1998; a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP) Central Committee in 1998; a member of the ANCWL NEC from 1998 to 2003; Chairperson of the SACP in the Northern Cape in 1998; and member of the Northern Cape Provincial HIV and AIDS Council in 2000. In 2003, she became Treasurer of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee for the Northern Cape.
In 2001, Ms Joemat-Pettersson was a trustee of the Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust; and from 2001 to
2004, she was chairperson of the Birch Education Trust; in 2003, she was a member of the Executive Council for Education; Chairperson of the Northern Cape Province Rehabilitation Trust in 2004; and she was chairperson of the ANC Financial Committee.
Ms Joemat-Pettersson also served as chairperson of the Land Reform Coordinating Committee; chairperson of the ANC Economic Transformation Committee; trustee of Mosiuoa Lekota Children's Fund in 2005, and acting president of the Association of University English Teachers in South Africa. She was the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of South Africa from 11 May 2009 to 25 May 2014.
She resigned as an ANC member of parliament on 06 April 2017.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
