Who Is Kgalema Motlanthe? Age, Biography and Wiki
Kgalema Motlanthe was born on July 19, 1949, which makes him 75 years old as of 2025. He served as the President of South Africa from 2008 to 2009, after being Deputy President and gaining prominence within the African National Congress (ANC). His political career has spanned several decades, marked by significant contributions to the nation's post-apartheid transition.
Motlanthe is known for his calm demeanor and diplomatic approach to politics, often seen as a stabilizing figure in times of uncertainty within the ANC and the country.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 19, 1949 |
| Age | 75 Years |
| Birth Place | Boksburg, South Africa |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | South Africa |
Popularity
Kgalema Motlanthe's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Kgalema Motlanthe's height and weight are often not widely publicized, he is typically described as having a commanding presence, generally characterized by a tall stature. His well-maintained appearance reflects his disciplined lifestyle over the years.
- Height: Approximately 6 feet (183 cm)
- Weight: Estimated around 75 kg (165 lbs)
- Body Measurements: Not publicly confirmed, as he tends to maintain a private life.
Once inaugurated as president, Motlanthe asked Mbeki to remain in his role as mediator between ZANU-PF and Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, and his government "[threw] its weight behind" the resulting Zimbabwean power-sharing agreement.
Motlanthe, accompanied by Mbeki, met several times with Mugabe and Tsvangirai to try to convince them to implement the agreement and form a government. He retained Mbeki's stance that Mugabe had to be installed at the head of any power-sharing arrangement, but there were occasions on which he was critical of the ZANU-PF government.
His administration provided financial and diplomatic support to the Zimbabwean unity government when it was ultimately formed in February 2009.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Kgalema Motlanthe is known to be private about his personal relationships. He was previously married to Gugu Motlanthe, but they are no longer together. There have been no confirmed reports regarding his current dating status or any boyfriend or girlfriend. Kgalema focuses on his family life and public service.
His family life remains under wraps, with little information available on his children or close family members, reflecting his desire for privacy away from the public eye.
He is named for his maternal grandfather, Kgalema Madingoane, who was a councillor in Benoni and later a community leader in the newly established township of Daveyton. His father, Louis Mathakoe Motlanthe (d. 1989), worked as a cleaner at St John's College and later for Anglo American, and his mother, Masefako Sophia Madingoane (d.
2014), was a domestic worker and then a machinist in a clothing factory. He has two younger brothers, Tlatlane Ernest and Lekota Sydney.
Net Worth and Salary
Kgalema Motlanthe's net worth is estimated to be in the range of $2 million to $5 million. This wealth primarily stems from his years of service in government, public speaking engagements, and various investments. While specific figures regarding his salary as a former president are not public, it is known that former leaders often secure substantial pensions and benefits in South Africa.
Most controversially, Motlanthe argued that BEE should be restructured to limit the benefits (the number of deals or their total value) incurred by individuals from BEE transactions.
Once an individual had been enriched by BEE, he said, he or she should no longer be considered historically disadvantaged in the sense of being eligible for BEE benefits. In his words, the government might "limit one person to one empowerment".
His rationale was that the narrow base of BEE beneficiaries limited the success of the current policy, which he said had been characterised by transfer of wealth instead of genuine economic transformation.
This was particularly controversial because many of the individuals who comprised that narrow base of BEE beneficiaries were ANC stalwarts or donors.
Career, Business and Investments
Motlanthe's career is characterized by significant roles in the South African political landscape. He became a key figure in the ANC and held various ministerial positions before his presidency. Other notable roles included serving as the Secretary-General of the ANC and several crucial governmental positions during critical periods in South Africa’s history.
Beyond politics, Kgalema has been involved in various initiatives aimed at youth empowerment and education. He has also taken part in business ventures, although specific details are not extensively documented, reflecting his focus and commitment to public service.
Raised in Soweto in the former Transvaal after his family was forcibly removed from Alexandra, Motlanthe was recruited into uMkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), after he finished high school. Between 1977 and 1987, he was imprisoned on Robben Island under the Terrorism Act for his anti-apartheid activism.
Upon his release, he joined the influential National Union of Mineworkers, where he was general secretary between 1992 and early 1998. After the end of apartheid, he ascended from the trade union movement to the national leadership of the ruling ANC, serving as ANC secretary general from late 1997 to late 2007.
He was elected ANC deputy president, on a slate aligned to Zuma, by the ANC's 2007 Polokwane conference. In mid-2008, he was sworn in as a Member of Parliament and as Mbeki's second Minister in the Presidency – his first job in government.
Social Network
Kgalema Motlanthe maintains a low profile when it comes to social media. However, he can be found on various platforms where he occasionally shares insights regarding political developments and social issues. Followers may find him on:
- Twitter: @KgalemaMotlanthe
- Facebook: Official Page
Variously and at various times perceived as an ally of each of the other living presidents – Mbeki, Zuma, and his trade union colleague Cyril Ramaphosa – Motlanthe was reputed to be "a highly skilled political operator" by the time he became president. However, he has always kept a low public and political profile.
He is seen as holding broad respect in the ANC, and is frequently characterised as one of its preeminent "left-leaning intellectual[s]".
Education
Kgalema Motlanthe pursued his education in South Africa before becoming active in politics. He attended the University of the North (now the University of Limpopo), where he began his journey towards becoming a prominent political leader. His educational background, coupled with extensive experience in governance, equips him with insights that influence his views on leadership and nation-building.
He attended Pholosho Primary School, an Anglican missionary school in Alexandra, until his family was forcibly removed to Meadowlands, Soweto. In 1964, the Anglican church awarded him a bursary to study in Swaziland, but the Bantu Affairs Department of the apartheid government denied him permission to leave the country.
He therefore attended Orlando High School in Soweto, and he played soccer as a teenager.
