Mathews Phosa
Encyclopedia
Nakedi Mathews Phosa is a South Africa
n attorney
and politician and was also an anti-apartheid activist. He is a former premier
of Mpumalanga as well as a former member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress
(ANC).
Phosa was born in Mbombela township, Nelspruit
. However, he grew up with his grandfather in a rural area near Potgietersrus (Mokopane
). He matriculated at Orhovelani High School in Thulamahashe. He was one of the first four members of the ANC to enter South Africa from exile in 1990 in order to start the process of negotiation with the National Party
government.
As a result of the first fully inclusive democratic elections in 1994, Phosa was appointed as the first premier of Mpumalanga, a position which he held until 1999. During his time in office, Phosa pioneered planning interaction between the private sector and government. He also spearheaded Nelson Mandela
's reconciliation initiatives between the government and the Afrikaans
speaking community. Phosa was elected as a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC in 1999.
During the recent Conference of the ANC (the 52nd National Conference) held in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province, Phosa was elected to the post of Treasurer General for the Organisation.
, Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, Special Olympics South Africa, Value Logistics, EOH (Pty) Ltd, SA Golden Leaf and Hans Merensky Holdings.
In 2001, Cyril Ramaphosa
, Tokyo Sexwale
and Phosa were investigated in connection with an alleged plot to oust Mbeki. They were cleared.
Phosa published a volume of poetry called Deur die oog van 'n naald (Through the eye of a needle) in 1999 (re-issued in 2009).
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician and was also an anti-apartheid activist. He is a former premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
of Mpumalanga as well as a former member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
(ANC).
Phosa was born in Mbombela township, Nelspruit
Nelspruit
Nelspruit is a city of more than 500,000 people situated in northeastern South Africa. It is the capital of the Mpumalanga province . Located on the Crocodile River, Nelspruit lies about west of the Mozambique border and east of Johannesburg. The towns of Nelspruit are Kanyamazane and Pienaar...
. However, he grew up with his grandfather in a rural area near Potgietersrus (Mokopane
Mokopane
Mokopane , is a town in the Limpopo province of South Africa. The town was established by the Voortrekkers and named Potgietersrus after the slain Voortrekker leader Piet Potgieter...
). He matriculated at Orhovelani High School in Thulamahashe. He was one of the first four members of the ANC to enter South Africa from exile in 1990 in order to start the process of negotiation with the National Party
National Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
government.
As a result of the first fully inclusive democratic elections in 1994, Phosa was appointed as the first premier of Mpumalanga, a position which he held until 1999. During his time in office, Phosa pioneered planning interaction between the private sector and government. He also spearheaded Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
's reconciliation initiatives between the government and the Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
speaking community. Phosa was elected as a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC in 1999.
During the recent Conference of the ANC (the 52nd National Conference) held in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province, Phosa was elected to the post of Treasurer General for the Organisation.
Business career
Since 1999 Phosa has served as a business consultant for various local and international businesses. In addition, Phosa currently holds chairman, vice-chairman or board member positions at more than ten prominent South African institutions and companies, including the University of South AfricaUniversity of South Africa
The University of South Africa is a distance education university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. With approximately 300 000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.-History:...
, Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut, Special Olympics South Africa, Value Logistics, EOH (Pty) Ltd, SA Golden Leaf and Hans Merensky Holdings.
In 2001, Cyril Ramaphosa
Cyril Ramaphosa
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African lawyer, trade union leader, activist, politician and businessman. He was born in Soweto, Gauteng province...
, Tokyo Sexwale
Tokyo Sexwale
Mosima Gabriel Sexwale , commonly known as Tokyo Sexwale , is the current Minister of Human Settlements of South Africa. A South African businessman, politician, anti-apartheid activist, and former political prisoner. His nickname of "Tokyo" is derived from his involvement with the sport of...
and Phosa were investigated in connection with an alleged plot to oust Mbeki. They were cleared.
Phosa published a volume of poetry called Deur die oog van 'n naald (Through the eye of a needle) in 1999 (re-issued in 2009).