FW DE KLERK MEMORIAL LECTURE SPEAKER: DR NAKEDI MATHEWS PHOSA
Dr Phosa is a distinguished South African attorney, businessman, political leader, author and anti-apartheid activist whose life and career have been closely intertwined with South Africa’s journey from apartheid to constitutional democracy.
He holds BProc and LLB degrees from the University of the North and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Boston University in the United States in 1995.
Dr Phosa established the first black-owned law practice in Nelspruit in 1981. He went into exile in 1985, where he underwent political and military training and later served as Regional Commander of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the then military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), in Mozambique.
Following the unbanning of the ANC in 1990, Dr Phosa was one of the first four ANC members to return to South Africa from exile to begin the process of negotiations with the then government. He went on to play an important role in the negotiations that shaped South Africa’s peaceful transition to constitutional democracy, including participation in CODESA and other key negotiating processes.
Following South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, Dr Phosa became the first Premier of Mpumalanga, serving during the presidency of Nelson Mandela until 1999. He later served as Treasurer-General of the ANC from 2007 to 2012.
His contribution to public life has extended well beyond politics. Dr Phosa served as Chairperson of the Council of the University of South Africa (Unisa) from 2003 to 2015, providing leadership during the landmark 2004 merger that created the modern Unisa.
He has also demonstrated an enduring commitment to the inclusion and advancement of people with intellectual disabilities. Having served on the board of Special Olympics International, Dr Phosa has led Special Olympics South Africa as Chairperson for approximately 20 years, championing dignity, inclusion and opportunity through sport.
In business, Dr Phosa has served on the boards of numerous listed and unlisted organisations and currently holds board and leadership positions with Jubilee Metals Group PLC, Frans Schutte & Mathews Phosa Inc., Rubic One Health, Value Group, the Agricultural Development Agency South Africa (AGDA), and Phosa Loots Inc., among others.
The year 2026 has brought further recognition of Dr Phosa’s longstanding contribution to leadership, reconciliation, education, diplomacy, business and public life. In March, he received the Afrikanerbond’s “Brugbouer-toekenning” (Bridge Builder Award) in recognition of his contribution to reconciliation, mutual understanding and cooperation across South Africa’s cultural, linguistic and historical divides, with particular acknowledgement of his use of language, empathy and leadership, as well as his love of Afrikaans and poetry, to help create greater understanding between South Africans from different backgrounds. In April, STADIO Higher Education appointed Dr Phosa as a Non-Executive Director of the STADIO Higher Education Board, reflecting the value of his extensive leadership experience and contribution at institutional and governance level. In June, Nelson Mandela University established the Dr Mathews Phosa Chair for Diplomacy, International Relations and Leadership, representing an enduring academic legacy and acknowledgement of his contribution to leadership, diplomacy and international relations. Dr Phosa has also been invited to serve as Ambassador for Dakar 2027 and as the initiator of “DAKAR 2027: Africa’s Vision for Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence,” reflecting his ongoing role in advancing conversations about Africa’s future, innovation and the responsible development of human-centred artificial intelligence. Further recognition in 2026 includes the League of Pros (LoP) Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the LoP Hall of Fame, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented at the 19th Annual South African Construction Industry Awards in November in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the construction industry. Together, these appointments, acknowledgements and honours reflect both the breadth of Dr Phosa’s achievements and the continued relevance of his leadership and contribution to institutions, industries and conversations shaping Africa’s future.
An accomplished author and poet, Dr Phosa speaks nine languages. His literary works include the Afrikaans poetry collection Deur die oog van ’n naald, the English anthology Chants of Freedom, and his 2024 political memoir, Witness to Power: A Political Memoir.
Beyond his public and professional life, Dr Phosa is also deeply committed to family and community, values that have remained central throughout his life and career. Few South Africans have experienced the country’s constitutional journey from as many vantage points — as an activist, lawyer, negotiator, political leader, businessman and author.