Mathews Phosa: The Many Lives of an ANC Stalwart

From Soccer Fields to Boardrooms: The Early Life of Mathews Phosa

At 73, Mathews Phosa still carries the spirit of a young boy from Mbombela township. Once a green-belt karate enthusiast, a budding boxer, and a goalkeeper on the soccer field, Phosa now balances boardroom meetings with cooking curries and prawns, carrying a vadoek over his shouldera tradition steeped in memory, self-reliance, and pride.

“I loved catching and kicking the ball. Karate was my joy. My father stopped me from boxing, saying, ‘I need your brain in the future,’” Phosa recalls, reflecting on the lessons that shaped his resilience.

Raised in the shadow of land dispossession, his parents’ farm in Botlokwa was seized under apartheid policies. Young Mathews lived with his grandparents, following Bapedi tradition, learning responsibility while running errands and observing the harsh realities of forced removals.

A Life of Service: Activism and Exile

Phosa studied law at the University of the North and quickly became a student activist. His commitment to justice eventually forced him into exile in Mozambique, working underground for the ANC. Fluent in Afrikaans and grounded in the values taught by leaders like Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, he rejects corruption and sees ethics as the bedrock of leadership.

“I did not see Sisulu or Mandela steal. They taught us respect, dignity, and service to the people. That remains my compass,” Phosa says.

Defending the Party’s Controversial Figures

As a seasoned ANC lawyer and leader, Phosa has earned a reputation for defending members facing internal disciplinary action. From Julius Malema to Zizi Kodwa and Malusi Gigaba, he has often represented high-profile figures accused of bringing the party into disrepute.

“They come to me because I know the ANC constitution and I am fair,” Phosa says. Even Obed Bapela and Jacob Zuma have sought his counsel, trusting his ethical judgment over political expediency.

Yet Phosa’s commitment to justice is unwavering. At Codesa, he refused to grant amnesty to members of the notorious Vlakplaas unit, telling General Izak Engelbrecht: “It won’t happen,” demonstrating that accountability is non-negotiable.

From Law to Business: A Multifaceted Career

Phosa’s entrepreneurial spirit mirrors his father’s industriousness. Before exile, he ran a law firm, a mortuary, a general dealer store, and a construction company. Today, he chairs Jubilee PLC, the world’s largest chrome processing company, operating across the SADC region. He also manages avocado farms in Tzaneen and agricultural ventures worldwide, including South America, Asia, and Australia.

“Richard Maponya and Sam Motsuenyane inspired me. Hard work, integrity, and service were non-negotiable,” he says.

Ethics, Family, and Community

Phosa’s ethical principles extend beyond business and politics. He teaches his four children, one of whom has passed, the importance of accountability, record-keeping, and responsible stewardship.

Through community projects, he empowers young people in agriculture and mining, delivers books to underprivileged schools, and provides food parcels to destitute families. His life demonstrates that true power lies not in wealth or position but in consistent, quiet acts of service and integrity.

A Legacy of Integrity

Mathews Phosa’s new memoir, Witness to Power: A Political Memoir, offers readers a glimpse into a life shaped by resilience, ethical conviction, and dedication to the community. From fighting injustice under apartheid to defending the rule of law within his party, Phosa’s story is a reminder that leadership is measured not by titles but by values upheld in everyday life.

“Power is meaningless without service. I live by that every day,” he concludes, apron on, vadoek over shoulder, ready to cook, teach, and lead.

{Source: The Citizen}

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