Current Positions
* Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries since 11 May 2009.
* Member of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee since December 2007.
Academic Qualifications
* Attended the William Pescodia High School.
* Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Western Cape.
* Degree in Executive Management in Education from the University of Cape Town.
* Bachelor of Arts in English and History from the University of Western Cape.
Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities
* Member of the Azanian Students Organisation (1985 to 1986).
* Teacher at Pescodia Secondary School (1987).
* Joined the African National Congress (ANC) (1989).
* Tutor in History (1989 to 1991).
* Youth leader at Oranjezicht Jewish Children's Home (1988 to 1989).
* Research Assistant to the Head of English Department at the University of Western Cape (1990).
* Tutor in English for National Education Co-ordinating Committee (1992 to 1993).
* Tutor in English for Education Development Trust (1992 to 1993).
* Teacher at Homevale Senior Secondary School (1992 to 1993).
* Member of Northern Cape Regional Delegate to the ANC National Education and Cultural Desk (1992 to 1993).
* Member of South African Democratic Teacher's Union (SADTU) (1992).
* National Representative of SADTU for Northern Cape (1992
* Member of the National People's Education Panelist (1992).
* Lecturer at English Department at University of the Free Member of the Union of Democratic University Staff Association.
State (1993 to 1994).
* Acting President of the Association of University English Teachers in South Africa.
* Member of the Beverly Park Association Executive Committee.
* Member of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee in Northern Cape.
* Member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature (1994).
* Member of the ANC Women's League National Executive Committee (1998 to 2003).
* Member of the Executive Council for Education, Arts and Culture in Northern Cape (1994 to 1999).
* Board Member for the Helen Joseph Women Development Centre (1997 to 2001).
* Member of the South African Communist Party (SACP) Central Committee (1998).
* Chairperson of the ANC Women's League in Northern Cape (1998).
* Chairperson of the SACP in Northern Cape (1998).
* Member of the Northern Cape Provincial HIV and AIDS Council (2000).
* Member of the Standing Advisory Committee for Religion in Education (2002 to 2004).
* Treasurer of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee for Northern Cape (2003).
* Member of the Executive Council for Education (2003).
* Chairperson of the Northern Cape Province Rehabilitation Trust (2004).
* Chairperson of the Birch Education Trust (2001 to 2004).
* Chairperson of the ANC Financial Committee (FINCOM).
* Chairperson of the Land Reform Co-ordinating Committee.
* Chairperson of the ANC Economic Transformation Committee (ETC).
* Trustee of Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust (2001).
* Trustee of Mosiuoa Lekota Children's Fund (2005).
Source: GCIS