Ms Dipuo Peters
Born in Kimberley, Matriculated at Tshireleco High School. Studied and attained Degree in Social Work at the then University of the North, now University of Limpopo.
Became politically active and cut her political teeth at a young age during high school and in the Young Christian Students Movement. Was central to building students and youth anti-apartheid structures in Galeshewe, the Northern Cape Region, Northern Transvaal and South Africa broadly. In 1987,:Dipuo Peters was elected to the National Executive Committee of the South African Youth Congress, an umbrella organization of youth formations affiliated to the United Democratic Front.
She was at the same period a volunteer organizer and worker educator of the South African Domestic Workers Union, an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions.
After the unbanning of political organizations and the release of political prisoners, Dipuo Peters was part of the contingent of youth leaders in the Provisional National Youth Council appointed to lead the charge in Re -establishing the African National Congress Youth League and to organize its first ever Congress under conditions of legality.
Ms Peters, was subsequently deployed to the Northern Cape and Free State to work for the UNITED Nations High Commission for Refugees subcommittee named The National Coordinating Committee for the Repatriation Of Exiles and Reintegration Of Political Prisoners. With the subsequent conclusion of this mandate, she was employed as a Social Worker at the Association for Physically Disabled in the Northern Cape. A position she held till her deployment to the National Assembly as part of the first cohort of ANC Members of Parliament in a democratically elected Constituent Assembly where she was given the responsibility of as Whip.
In 1997,she was redeployed to the Northern Cape Legislature and was appointed Chief whip.
1999 – 2004 MEC of Health
2004- 2009 Northern Cape Premier
2009 -2013 Minister of Energy in RSA
2013- 2017 Minister of Transport
2023-2024 Deputy Minister of Department of Small Business Development
May 2018 -October 2018
She served as a member of the Department of Social Development /SASSA Technical Committee entrusted with the management of the Social Security Grant Payment Migration from Cash Payment Services to the South African Post Office.
2019-2024 Member of Parliament, Serving in the Standing Committee of Appropriations, The Committee on Powers and Privileges of Members of Parliament and Legislatures.
Serves in the Adhoc Committees for the Appointment of the Auditor General and the Director of Parliament Budget Office.
In March 2023 was appointed Deputy Minister for the Department of Small Business Development .
Ms Peters served in the NEC structures of the ANC from 1998 till December 2007 and again from 2014 till 2017.
Served as ANCWL NEC Member from 2001 till 2008 and at different times of her political life. As well as Provincial Treasurer, Deputy Chairperson and an Acting Provincial Chairperson of the ANC Northern Cape till December 2004.
She is a longstanding member of the St Peter, the Apostle branch of the Catholic Women’s League.
Dipuo Peters believes that “Whatever task you are given, Do it to the best of your ability”.
Fear God, Respect People
