Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's bio: age, husband, education, qualifications, profile

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni is a South African politician. Since March 2023, she has been serving as Minister in the Presidency. Before then, Ntshavheni was the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. She served in the leadership of the ANC Youth League in her earlier days. Read Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's bio for more details about her life and career.

Key takeaways

• Khumbudzo Ntshavheni once served as the Tourism Manager at the Trade and Investment Limpopo.
• She was also the COO for the Limpopo Provisional Department of Local Government and Housing.
• On 6 March 2023, she assumed office as the Minister in the Presidency.

Profile summary

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's bio

Khumbudzo Phophi Silence Ntshavheni i a famous South African politician. She is known for her calm yet outspoken demeanour. The politician started her political journey when she was quite young.

How old is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni?

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's age is 48 years as of 2025. She was born on 30 January 1977 in Sibasa, Transvaal, South Africa, and her Zodiac sign is Aquarius.

The politician's nationality is South African, and she is a Christian. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's family background was humble as she grew up. Her mom worked in the taxi industry, while her dad owned a general dealer's store.

Educational background

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni went to Mbilwi Secondary School in Sibasa. She proceeded to the Rand Afrikaans University, where she completed an undergraduate degree in political science.

In 2008, Ntshavheni graduated with a Master of Business Administration from Bradford University in the United Kingdom.

Career

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's interest in politics started at a tender age. She was a teen during the late apartheid period and post-apartheid transition. During this period, Ntshavheni was actively involved in youth activism in the Northern Transvaal region. She did this with the support of the South African Youth Congress and Congress of South African Students.

During the Convention for a Democratic South Africa, Ntshavheni persuaded the late Nelson Mandela to push the voting age to 16. After completing her education, she became a junior lecturer at the University of South Africa.

Ntshavheni then transitioned into the public service as spokesperson to the Premier of Limpopo, Ngoako Ramatlhodi. She held various leadership positions in the Limpopo government. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's previous offices in Limpompo include:

• Manager at Trade and Investment Limpopo
• Chief Information Officer in the Provincial Department of Local Government and Housing
• Municipal Manager of Limpopo's Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality (2008-2010)

In 2010, she became the chief operating officer at the State Information Technology Agency (Sita). She and others were suspended in July 2013.

Ntshavheni left Sita in 2014. She went on to join the advisory panel on black industrialisation in the Ministry of Trade and later a non-executive director on the board of Denel.

In the 2019 general election, Ntshavheni was elected to a seat in the National Assembly. From 5 August 2021 to 6 March 2023, she was the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies.

On 27 January 2021, Ntshavheni was appointed as acting Minister in the Presidency after the death of Minister Jackson Mthembu. On 6 March 20023, Ntshavheni returned to the presidency in another reshuffle. She has been the Minister in the Presidency since then, and her contact details are:

• Telephone number: 021 403 2911
• Email address: kntshavheni@parliament.gov.za

Besides being a South African politician, Ntshavheni has multiple business interests. She runs businesses in transport, consumer goods, and agriculture.

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's salary

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni receives the requisite salary of a South African minister. In June 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa approved a salary raise for ministers to R2.69 million a year from the previous R2.64 million a year.

Is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni married?

It remains unclear if the Minister in the Presidency is married. As a result, details of Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's husband's age are unknown.

Who is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's child?

While it is known that the South African politician is a mom, something she has indicated on her IG bio, she has remained tight-lipped about her child(ren).

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni vs Malema

There has been a lot of political rivalry between Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Julius Malema for some time now. During a joint sitting of parliament in February 2021 to debate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address, Julius Malema called Ramaphosa incompetent and unreliable

The incumbent Minister in the Presidency responded, saying:

Mr Malema, you have never supported any of the ANC presidents. When it was President [Thabo] Mbeki he was not good enough. You went to [Jacob] Zuma. When it was President Zuma, you went to President Mbeki. Now it is President Ramaphosa, and you went back to Zuma.

She added:

You said you’ll never support President Zuma but you’re the one who supported him. He is the former president of the ANC and of this country. We support him but the rule of law will apply with no fear, with no favour, even to you Malema.

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's words set South Africans on X (formerly Twitter) in a frenzy. Most people agreed with her sentiments.

Trivia

• Khumbudzo Ntshavheni is best recognised for her signature "rugged" hair.
• In 2017, she managed Ramaphosa's campaign in her home province of Limpopo.
• She considers herself a third-generation small-business entrepreneur.
• Ntshavheni played a pivotal role in South Africa's long-delayed digital migration.
• She enjoys authentic South African meals and dishes.

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's bio tells the story of a woman who has shown focus and resilience since a young age. She is among the most prominent female South African politicians today.

Briefly.co.za recently published Siviwe Gwarube's biography. Siviwe Gwarube found her calling in politics over a decade ago, after initially hoping to become a lawyer.

Siviwe started her political career in 2012 at 22 when she joined the DA’s communication staff as Lindiwe Mzabuko's spokesperson. Her ambitious leadership and dedication to public service have since set her apart.

Source: Briefly News