Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, Ms Personal • Date of Birth: 13 May 1960

Current Positions • Minister of Energy of the Republic of South Africa since 11 May 2009. • Member of the African National Congress (ANC) and the Women's League National Executive Committee.

Academic Qualifications • Attended school at Tidimalo Junior Secondary and Tshireleco Senior secondary respectively. • Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from University of the North (1987). • Certificate in Development and Public Policy from UWC (SADEP) (1996). • Certificate in Executive Management from UCT Graduate School of Business (2002). • Certificate in International Policy Management, Havana, Cuba (2002).

Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities • Joined the Young Christian Students where political activism started. • Participated in Youth Formations in the church and community. • Deputy Chairperson of the Women's Forum in AZASO which later became SASCO at the University of the North. • Member of the Galeshewe Youth Congress, an affiliate of the United Democratic Front (UDF). • Worked as a volunteer regional organiser for the South African Domestic Worker's Union, amongst which she dealt with recruiting, organising, educating and counseling domestic workers in the Northern Cape (1987). • Head of Women's Department at the South African Youth Congress (1987 ­ 1990). • Joined the African National Congress Youth League as the secretary for Women Affairs (1990). • Woman Organiser of the National Executive Council (NEC) of South African Youth Congress SAYCO) (1987 ­ 1990). • Member of the Provincial National Youth Committee (PNYC) (1990 ­ 1991). • Member of the Portfolio Committees on Home Affairs, Public Works, Social Services and Health. • Worked for NCCR a United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) structure which worked for the repatriation of political exiles and re­intergration of political prisoners after the unbanning of political organisations. • Worked as a social worker for the NCCR, tasks included liaising with other organizations on behalf of the Committee in the Northern Cape, administering grants for the disabled, aged and un­accompanied minors, and proposing and implementing service plans for the individuals and groups of returnees (1992 ­ 1994). • Member of Provincial Executive of the ANC in the Northern Cape (1996). • Member of Parliament (National Assembly) and was responsible for the Northern Cape and ANC membership/Caucus Register (1994 ­ 1997). • Deputy Chairperson of the ANC in the Northern Cape, and later acting Provincial Chairperson (2004). • ANC Chief Whip in the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature (1997 ­ 1999). • ANC's Treasurer for the Northern Cape Province (1997 ­ 2003). • Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Health (1999 ­ 2004). • Provincial Deputy Chairperson of ANC (May ­ December 2003). • Member of the ANC Womens' League National Executive Committee (2002 ­ 2003). • Member of ANC National Executive Committee (1998 ­ 2007). • Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC)(December 2003 ­ December 2007). • Premier of the Northern Cape Province (22 April 2004 ­ 10 May 2009).