Aaron Motsoaledi bio: age, daughter, wife, education, qualifications, profile

Aaron Motsoaledi bio: age, daughter, wife, education, qualifications, profile

Get to know Aaron Motsoaledi's biography, the current Minister of Health and a former Minister of Home Affairs in the Cabinet of South Africa. Previously, he was heading the Ministry of Health, where he served from 2009 to 2019. Dr Motsoaledi is a medical doctor by training and holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Natal.

Aaron Motsoaledi issues a speech
Aaron Motsoaledi issues a speech. Photo: encanews (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Dr Aaron Motsoaledi was a member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature from 1994 to 2009.
  • He held such positions as MEC (Member of the Executive Council) for Education, Transport and Agriculture.
  • Dr Motsoaledi served as a Chairperson of the Sekhukhune Advice Office from 1986 to 1994; Chairperson of the Hlahlolanang Health and Nutrition Education Project in 1989, and as Head of the ANC Elections Commission for Limpopo in 1994.

Aaron Motsoaledi's profile

Full nameDr Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi
Date of birthAugust 07, 1958
Age67 years (As of 2025)
Place of birthPhokwane
ProvinceLimpopo
CountrySouth Africa
SpouseThelma Dikeledi
FamilyElias Motsoaledi (uncle)
Alma materUniversity of the NorthUniversity of Natal (MBChB)

Aaron Motsoaledi's biography

The South African politician was born in Phokwane village in Limpopo Province. He comes from a family of seven boys and two girls. His father is Kgokolo Michael Motsoaledi and his mother is Sina Sekeku Maile.

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's qualifications

Dr Motsoaledi's education started at Setotolwane High School. He later proceeded to the University of the North at Turfloop. From there, he proceeded to the University of Natal, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. He is a medical doctor by training.

Top 5 facts about Aaron Motsoaledi
Top 5 facts about Aaron Motsoaledi. Photo:canva.com (modified by author)
Source: Original

Political path

Dr Aaron's political awareness started at the tender age of eight years. This is after he witnessed the arrest of a neighbour for not having a 'dompas'. This political awareness continued even after he went to high school, and the 1976 Soweto uprisings heavily influenced this.

His full potential in politics developed in the late 1970s while attending the University of Natal. He fully engaged in the liberation struggle on and off campus. In 1980, he was elected to the Student Representative Council (SRC).

While there, he participated in the formation of the student movement AZASO. In 1982, he was elected as SRC president of the University of Natal Medical School. In 1989, he was elected the chairperson of the Northern Transvaal Reception Committee when the apartheid regime began releasing the ANC leaders arrested at Rivonia.

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's age

He was born on August 7, 1958, in Phokwane Village in Limpopo. He is 67 years old as of 2025. He celebrates his birthday on August 7 every year.

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's family

The politician was raised by both parents and is blessed with five children, together with his wife. Here is some more information on the minister's family.

Aaron Motsoaledi's parents

Aaron Motsoaledi's father is Kgokolo Michael Motsoaledi. The father happened to be his school principal. The mother is Sina Sekeku Maile.

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's wife

The South African minister is married to Thelma Dikeledi. The couple is blessed with three daughters and two sons. One of Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's daughters decided to follow in her father’s footsteps by studying medicine.

Memberships and positions

Aaron Motsoaledi talking to the press
Aaron Motsoaledi (Minister of Health) reacts to the 2025 Budget Speech at Nieuwmeester Dome on March 12, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Jeffrey Abrahams, Gallo Images
Source: Getty Images
  • 1986 - 1994: Chairperson of the Sekhukhune Advice Office
  • 1989: Chairperson of Hlahlolanang Health and Nutrition Education Project
  • 1991 - 1992: Deputy Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in the then Northern Transvaal
  • 1994: Head of the ANC Elections Commission for Limpopo Province
  • Head of the ANC Economic and Infrastructure Desk
  • 1994: Head of the ANC Research and Briefing: Election Task Team in Limpopo
  • 1994 - 2009: Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature
  • 1994 - 1997: Member of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council for Education
  • 1998 - 1999: Member of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council for Transport
  • 1999: Member of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council for Agriculture, Land and Environment

Aaron Motsoaledi on foreigners

The former Minister of Home Affairs seems to have a soft stance on foreign nationals, as evidenced by his reforms on the Visa application process to make it easier for foreigners to gain entry into the country.

Aaron Motsoaledi's latest news

Motsoaledi published regulations to the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act on March 7 imposing a blanket ban on all cannabis-containing foodstuffs, including those with ingredients derived from hemp.

The minister was criticized for his actions as he did not involve public participation. The GOOD party secretary-general Brett Herron had this to say:

It borders on lunacy for the president to trumpet the future of an industry (hemp), only for one of his ministers to ban its products, which have been sold in mainstream stores for years.

Aaron Motsoaledi's contact details

Below are ways you can use to contact the current Minister of Home Affairs. Aaron Motsoaledi's mobile number is not provided. However, you can use these contacts to reach him:

Pretoria

  • Private Bag X399
  • Pretoria, 0001
  • Tel: (012) 312 0546
  • Fax: (012) 325 5526

Cape Town

  • Private Bag X9070
  • Cape Town, 8000
  • Tel: (021) 466 7260
  • Fax: (021) 465 1575

How old is Aaron Motsoaledi?

Aaron was born on August 7, 1958, in Phokwane Village in Limpopo. He is currently 67 years old as of 2025. He celebrates his birthday on August 7, every year.

Is Aaron Motsoaledi a medical doctor?

Aaron is a medical doctor by training. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Natal. He was elected to the student representative council in 1980. He participated in the formation of a student movement, the Azanian Students Organisation, in which he was elected the national correspondence secretary.

What is Aaron Motsoaledi's net worth and salary?

Aaron has been in the political field for quite a long time. He has no doubt amassed a massive fortune with the bulk of his wealth coming from his professional political career. Despite his apparent riches, he prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.

However, the specifics of his assets and liabilities are still under review, making it difficult to establish his actual net worth. His salary is also undisclosed.

Who is the minister responsible for health issues in South Africa?

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi is the Minister of Health in South Africa.

Above is the Aaron Motsoaledi bio. He is the Minister of Health in the Cabinet of South Africa. He was previously the Minister of Home Affairs from 2019 – 2024. He was also a MEC in Limpopo province for Education, agriculture, and the environment.

Briefly.co.za reported on November 3, 2020, about the life and career of Ebrahim Patel. He is the current South African Cabinet Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. He previously held the position of Minister of Economic Development from 2009 to 2019.

Ebrahim Patel was appointed Minister of Trade and Industry on 29 May 2019 by the President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. He has been heavily involved in labour-government issues. He was the Chief Negotiator on the Labour Relations Act of 1995 and the acting President of the South African Labour Research Institute (as of 2014).

Source: Briefly News

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Bennett Yates (Lifestyle writer) Bennett Yates is a content creator with over six years of working experience in journalism and copywriting. He graduated from the University of Nairobi (2017) with a Bachelor's in Information Technology. In 2023, Bennett finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. He has worked for Briefly.co.za for six years now. He specializes in topics like technology, entertainment, travel, lifestyle and sports. You can reach him via email at bennetyates@gmail.com.

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Justin Williams (Editorial Assistant) Justin Williams is a multimedia journalist who recently completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Film & Multimedia Production and English Literary Studies from the University of Cape Town. He is a former writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa: South African chapter. You can contact Justin at justin.williams@briefly.co.za