Angelina Matsie Motshekga was born in Pimville, Soweto, where she first became very active in various capacities in the struggle against apartheid.

She holds a BA Education, B Ed from the University of the North and a Masters Degree in Education from the Wits University.  She has published and conducted research in education, women’s development and language studies.

Motshekga has had extensive involvement in education struggles and experience in education policy development.  Her experience as an educator includes teaching at Soweto’s Orlando High and lecturing at the Soweto College of Education and Wits University.  She also founded and served on various boards focusing on education and women’s development.

She was working as a convener for Gender in the Office of the President.  Proceeded to work as a trainer in the Department of Public Service and Administration.  She was elected a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 1999 and was appointed Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Education.  She was appointed as MEC for Social Development in 2000 and in April 2004 as MEC for Education till 2009. 

She joined Parliament on the 06^th May 2009 and was appointed a Cabinet Member of Basic Education on the 11^th May 2009.  After the 2014 National Elections, she was re-appointed as a Cabinet Member of Basic Education in May 2014.

After the 2019 National Elections, she was re-appointed as a Cabinet Member of Basic Education in June 2019 for the 3^rd time.

She has served the ANC and ANCWL in different positions at different levels over a long period.  She was the National President of the ANC Women’s League from 2008 until 2015.

She is currently a member of the ANC National Executive Committee and the ANC National Working Committee.