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Deputy Minister

Dr. Ngoako Ramatlhodi

Dr. Ngoako Ramatlhodi

Personal
  • Date of Birth: 21 August 1955
  • Married to Dipuo Mahlangu with three children
  • Born at Tauyatswala Village in Limpopo – South Africa

Current Positions

  • Deputy Minister of Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa since 1 November 2010
  • Member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) since 1991

Academic Qualifications

  • Enrolled for post matriculation studies at the University of the North (1977- 1979)
  • Bachelor of Jurisprudence (B Juris) from the National University of Lesotho (1981- 1984)
  • Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the National University of Lesotho (1986)
  • Master of Science (MSc) in International Relations from the University of Zimbabwe (1988)
  • Admitted to the Bar of Lesotho as an Advocate in 1997; then admitted to the Bar of South Africa in 2009 and also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree by the University of Limpopo.

Career/Memberships/Positions/Other Activities

  • Participated in many student activities while at the University of the North (1977-1979)
  • Founder member and first Chairman of the University of the North Arts and Drama Association
  • Chairman of the Central Cultural Committee (which served as the students' only voice after the banning of the Students' Representative Council (SRC)
  • Founder member of the Azanian Students' Organisation (AZASO), later known as South African Students' Congress (SASCO)
  • Member of a team which formed the Congress of South African Students (COSAS)
  • Went into exile in Lesotho on 17 July 1980 and continued with his studies. During this time he was involved in various student activities:
    • Second Secretary for the Committee of Action and Solidarity for South African Students (COSSAS) (1981- 1983).
    • Secretary for Public and Foreign Affairs of the National University of Lesotho (NUL) Students' Council (SRC). Responsible for liaison with external organisations, issuing statements on behalf of the SRC-coordinating public functions. Also member of the national University of Lesotho Admissions Committee (1982- 1983).
    • President of the National University of Lesotho SRC (1983- 1984).
    • Member of the University Council and also the highest executive authority of the students' union.
    • Involved in negotiations with management and other structures of the NUL.
  • Head of the ANC Regional Political and Military Council of the Zimbabwe Mission (1986 - 1988).
  • Re-called to Zambia to became Political Secretary and Speech Writer to the then ANC President Oliver Tambo. In this capacity he served as the Secretary of the ANC Control Commission, a body responsible for the coordination of the entire liberation movement's activities and served former President Nelson Mandela in the same capacity (1990- 1992).
  • Returned to South Africa in June 1991
  • Employed by the University of the North as Deputy Registrar, Executive Assistant to the Rector and lecturer in Public International Law (1992- 1994).
  • Premier of Limpopo Province for two full terms (May 1994 - 22 April 2004).
  • Chairperson of the ANC Limpopo Province (December 1991 to 1996).
  • Member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC (1991 to date).
  • In 2005 he led the ANC delegations to oversee the election process on the invitation of Zimbabwe government.
  • He served as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development as well as Chair of the ANC cluster on Peace and Stability (2009 to 2010).
  • He was Director of the ANC Policy Institute from 2004 until 2009.
  • He headed the ANC Elections Committee from 2008 to date.
  • He served as a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) from 2010 to date.
  • Author: Published numerous articles