Thulas Nxesi

Thulas Nxesi  is the Minister of Public Works of the Republic of South Africa with effect from 27 February 2017.

Thulas Nxesi was Minister of Sports and Recreation from 31 March 2017 until 26 February 2018. He holds a BA degree from the University of Fort Hare obtained in 1983; a Bachelor of Education from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Higher Diploma in Education from the University of South Africa.

Nxesi was a teacher at Ikusasa Senior Secondary School from 1985 to 1990, during which time he was also the head of the social sciences department.

He has also served as Assistant Secretary-General and Secretary-General of the South African Democratic Teacher’s Union from 1990 to 1994, and for a second term from 1994 to 2010 respectively.

During the apartheid years he became involved in politics from a young age and was expelled from school several times for involvement in political activities.

Nxesi has also served as president of Education International and secretary of the National Education Union of South Africa.

He was also Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform from November 2010 to 24 October 2011, and has previously served as the Minister of Public Works from October 2011 until 30 March 2017.