24 Facts About Angie Motshekga

Matsie Angelina "Angie" Motshekga was born on 19 June 1955 and is a South African politician and educator who is currently serving as the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans since 3 July 2024.

Angie Motshekga served as the acting president of the Republic of South Africa from the 17th August 2024, while President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the 44th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Angie Motshekga was previously a Member of the Executive Council in the Gauteng provincial government.

Angie Motshekga is a former president of the party's women's league.

Angie Motshekga was born on 19 June 1955 in Soweto, Transvaal Province.

Angie Motshekga received her primary school education from different schools in Soweto.

Angie Motshekga studied at the University of the North, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.

In 1981, Angie Motshekga was employed as a teacher at Orlando High School.

Angie Motshekga worked at the school until 1983, when she resigned following her appointment as a lecturer at the Soweto College of Education.

Angie Motshekga was a member of the National Education Union of South Africa.

Angie Motshekga was the National Convenor of Teacher Unity talks that led to the formation of South African Democratic Teachers Union.

Angie Motshekga was the regional chair of the African National Congress Women's League in the party's former Kyalami region.

Angie Motshekga was elected Deputy Provincial Secretary of the ANCWL in 1997.

Angie Motshekga was named the chairperson of the legislature's education committee.

Angie Motshekga was elected the national president of the ANC women's league in 2008, defeating the league's secretary-general Bathabile Dlamini.

Angie Motshekga was elected to the National Assembly in April 2009.

Angie Motshekga faced calls to resign or be removed, but she remained in the position.

Angie Motshekga was re-elected as an MP in that year's general election.

Angie Motshekga responded by saying that her comment was taken out of context.

In 2014, Angie Motshekga claimed that the standard of question papers had increased after an English exam paper riddled with basic spelling and grammar errors was given to learners.

Angie Motshekga was appointed as acting president of the Republic of South Africa on 2 July 2021, as President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the state funeral of Kenneth Kaunda in Zambia.

In January 2025, Angie Motshekga stated that the M23 offensive against South African positions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, resulting in the death of 13 South African peacekeepers, was only alleviated after President Ramaphosa told the Rwandan government that continued attacks would be interpreted by South Africa as a "declaration of war" by Rwanda.

Since 2023, Angie Motshekga has been a member of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession, co-chaired by Kersti Kaljulaid and Paula-Mae Weekes.

Angie Motshekga is married to former Premier of Gauteng and former ANC chief whip, Mathole Angie Motshekga.