Joe Phaahla

Dr Mathume Joseph (MJ) Phaahla was appointed as Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of South Africa on 30 June 2024. Before that he served as Minister of Health from 5 August 2021 to June 2024. Dr Phaahla holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Natal, Diploma in Health Service Management from the University of Haifa, Institute of Science, Israel in 1992 and a Certificate of General Management, Marketing and Finance.

Dr Phaahla also served as Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform in 2009 and later in November 2010 shifted to the position of Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture. While serving in the various portfolios of the national executive of government, Dr Phaahla was also a member of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. He also served as the CEO of the South African Sports Commission and as Director-General of Sport in charge of organizing the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa from June to July 2010.

Before taking formal political office in1994, Dr Phaahla worked as a Medical Officer in several hospitals in South Africa from medical internship in 1984 to becoming a Senior Medical Superintendent by the time of leaving front-line medical service in April 1994.

Dr Phaahla was an anti-apartheid activist during his youth. When the African National Congress was unbanned in 1990, Dr Phaahla became one of its leaders in Limpopo, reaching the position of Deputy Provincial Chairperson from 1992 up to 1998 and remaining an executive member until 2001 when he was moved to the national sphere from 2007 until today. Dr Phaahla is a member of the highest structure of the African National Congress, the National Executive Committee.