Born in September 1965 at JCI Mine, the Newly appointed Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Susan Violet Mathye’s early life was shaped by her parents’ roles; her father was an Admin Clerk, and her mother worked as a domestic worker. Mathye’s educational journey began at Leseding Lower Primary School in 1978 and culminated with her matriculation at Gwambeni High School in 1987.
She pursued higher education at the University of the North, now the University of Limpopo, obtaining her Teacher’s Degree in 1992.
Her teaching career commenced at Mapheto Secondary School in 1993, where she worked until 2006. She then transitioned to a role as Deputy Manager for Governance at N’wanedzi Circuit in the Mopani District, serving from 2006 to 2014.
Mathye’s professional qualifications include a Diploma in Counsellor Training from UNISA (2000), a Diploma in Local Government Management from Technikon Pretoria (2003), a Further Diploma in Education from the University of Pretoria, an Honours Degree in Education, Law, and Policy Making from the University of Pretoria (2012).
Mathye is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology. Additionally, she is a candidate for Leadership Management at WITS University.
Her community and political involvement began in 1994-1995 as the Treasurer for the IDP Xihoko Community Project. From 1995-2000, she served as a PR Councillorfor Letsitele Gravelotte TLC, leading the health desk.
She was a Councilor at Mopani District Municipality from 2000-2005, where she was a member of the Mayoral Committee, overseeing Local Economic Development and Tourism, and chaired the Geographic Names Change Committee, contributing to renaming Duiwelskloof to Modjadjiskloof. Additionally, she was Chairperson of Mohlanatsi CIRD from 2001-2012 and served as a clerk at Mopani District Municipality from 2006-2011.
She was also an additional member of the Xihoko Cultural Committee from 2004-2011.
The MEC joined the ANC in 1990 at the Xihoko branch. Her involvement includes serving as Secretary and Chairperson of the Xihoko ANCWL branch, Secretary of the ANCWL for the North East region (now Norman Mashabane region), and additional member for various ANC regions. She was elected Deputy Chairperson for the ANC Norman Mashabane region. She now serves as a member of ANC Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee.
From 2013 to 2024, Susan was a member of the Limpopo Legislature, chairing various committees. In June 2024, she was appointed MEC for the Department of Transport and Community Safety.
Mathye is married and a mother of three—two girls and one boy.
