Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi
Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi is a young male South African politician hailing from the village of Ludeke in the Winnie Mandela Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. His political activism began during his university days, leading to his extensive involvement in the youth movement. His passion for economics and policy development has significantly shaped his professional career.
Political activism
He first gained prominence as the regional secretary of the South African Students’ Congress (SASCO) for the Western Region of the Eastern Cape from 2010 to 2011. His dedication and leadership skills would later lead him to serve as the provincial spokesperson for the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in the Eastern Cape between 2021 and 2022. He was elected member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC in 2022, where he also serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the Economic Transformation Sub-Committee.
Academic qualifications
His academic journey saw him attain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of South Africa (UNISA), and a Bachelor of Social Science Honours degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, from the University of Pretoria (UP).
Professional career
Professionally, his career has been marked by various roles at the different spheres of politics and government. From 2013 to 2014, he was the national policy coordinator for the ANCYL. He then worked as economic researcher in the Office of the Deputy Minister at the then Department of Trade and Industry from 2014 to 2016. His experience in local government includes a tenure as senior specialist in speechwriting, and council liaison for the City of Ekurhuleni from 2016 to 2019.
In 2019, he became an advisor in the Office of the Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, a role he held until 2022. He also served as the acting senior manager and transversal mainstreaming focal person for the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 2022. Subsequently, he continued at the provincial sphere of government, serving as the chief of staff at the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in the Eastern Cape. Following this, he became a special advisor to the Premier of the Eastern Cape from 2023 to 2024.
In 2024, he was elected as a Member of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa and was appointed as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, a position he currently holds. His extensive experience and commitment to public service continues to drive his contribution to South Africa’s political and economic landscape.
Contact
Sinenhlanhla Ntanzi SNtanzi@thedtic.gov.za
