Quick Facts
| Full Name | Thembisile Phumelele Simelane-Nkadimeng |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 10 February 1973 (age 51 years) |
| Place of Birth | Bethal, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa |
| Citizenship | South Africa |
| Political Party | African National Congress (ANC) |
| Current Position | Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development (since July 2024) |
| Previous Positions | Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (March 2023 – June 2024) |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts (1994), Higher Education Diploma (1995), BA Honours (1997) – University of the North; BPhil in Policy Studies (Stellenbosch University, 2001); Advanced Management Program (Wits Business School, 2009) |
| Personal Life | Divorced from Chipyane Clifton Nkadimeng; four children |
| Professional Career | Various leadership roles in public administration and private sector |
Biography of Thembisile Phumelele Simelane-Nkadimeng
Early Life and Education
Thembisile Phumelele Simelane-Nkadimeng was born on 10 February 1973 in Bethal, Mpumalanga. Active in the anti-apartheid movement from a young age, she began her political journey with the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) during her high school years. She attended the University of the North (Turfloop), where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994, a Higher Education Diploma in 1995, and an Honours degree in 1997.
During her university years, Nkadimeng was a prominent student leader, serving as a member and later deputy president of the Student Representative Council (SRC). She was also actively involved with the South African Student Congress (SASCO), serving as Provincial Secretary in the Northern Transvaal (now Limpopo) from 1994 to 1996. Her leadership was instrumental in organizing and mobilizing students across universities and colleges in the region.
Career in Public Service and Politics
Nkadimeng’s career in public administration began in 1997, holding various positions across four government departments. She notably served as Director of Communications in the Office of the Limpopo Premier from 2002 to 2006 and as Chief Director of Corporate Services in the Department of Agriculture from 2006 to 2009. She transitioned to the private sector in 2009, working as Corporate Affairs Manager for Anglo American Platinum until 2013. She later became Managing Director of Golden Threads, a consultancy specializing in corporate social investment.
Nkadimeng’s return to active politics came in July 2014 when she was elected Mayor of Polokwane. During her tenure, she was also the National President of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) from 2019 to 2021. In August 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed her as Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Following the ANC’s 55th National Conference in December 2022, Nkadimeng was elected to the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC). She was appointed Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in March 2023, a position she held until June 2024. After the May 2024 general elections, she was appointed as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in July 2024.
Political Contributions and Leadership
Nkadimeng has been a steadfast advocate for the transformation and improvement of conditions for the working class. At the University of the North, she was a member of the Broad Transformation Committee, ensuring that the university’s policies aligned with the national transformation agenda. Her leadership in the ANC spans various roles, including Provincial Secretary of SASCO, Deputy Secretary and Chairperson in local ANC branches, and Deputy Coordinator of the Peter Mokaba Regional Task Team.
Personal Life
Thembisile Nkadimeng was married to politician Chipyane Clifton Nkadimeng until their divorce in 2019. She has four children and also raised her brother’s son. Her sister, Nokuthula Simelane, was a notable anti-apartheid activist and member of Umkhonto we Sizwe who went missing in 1983.