Quick Facts About Gwede Mantashe
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samson Gwede Mantashe |
| Date of Birth | 21 June 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Lower Cala, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Current Position | Minister of Mineral Resources (since June 2024) |
| Previous Roles | Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy (2019–2024), Minister of Mineral Resources (2018–2019) |
| Party Affiliation | African National Congress (ANC) |
| Other Affiliations | South African Communist Party (SACP) |
| Education | B.Com (1997), B.Com Honours (2002), Master’s in Industrial Sociology (2008), MBA (2021) |
| Spouse | Nolwandle Mantashe |
| Children | Four (Two sons and two daughters) |
Biography of Gwede Mantashe
Early Life and Education
Samson Gwede Mantashe was born on June 21, 1955, in Lower Cala, Eastern Cape. He was politically active from an early age, starting as an activist in the Student Christian Movement. Mantashe pursued higher education later in life, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce in 1997 and an Honours degree in 2002 from the University of South Africa. He also holds a Master’s in Industrial Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand (2008) and an MBA from the Management College of Southern Africa (2021).
Trade Union Career
Mantashe began his professional career in mining, working above-ground at various mines before co-founding the Witbank branch of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982. His leadership skills were evident as he rose through the ranks, becoming NUM’s general secretary in 1998, a position he held until 2006. His tenure at NUM was marked by an emphasis on discipline, democratic centralism, and professionalized management.
Role in the ANC and SACP
Mantashe’s political career within the African National Congress (ANC) began with his election as secretary-general at the ANC’s 52nd National Conference in 2007. He served in this capacity for a decade and played a crucial role in navigating internal party divisions during the leadership transitions from Thabo Mbeki to Jacob Zuma and later to Cyril Ramaphosa.
In addition to his ANC duties, Mantashe served as national chairperson of the South African Communist Party (SACP) from 2007 to 2012. His dual roles highlighted his influence within the Tripartite Alliance, although they occasionally led to tensions.
Ministerial Career
In February 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mantashe as Minister of Mineral Resources, a position later expanded to include Energy in May 2019. As Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mantashe’s tenure was characterized by his controversial support for coal and natural gas as part of South Africa’s energy strategy, amidst growing calls for renewable energy investment.
Following the 2024 general election, the energy portfolio was restructured, and Mantashe’s role was refocused solely on mineral and petroleum resources.
Personal Life
Mantashe is married to Nolwandle Mantashe, a nurse, and they have four adult children. Known for his disciplined approach to politics, Mantashe’s family has largely stayed out of the public eye.