[1][2] He qualified as a teacher and later completed both a bachelor's and a master's in international affairs at Pacific Western University in the United States.

[6] Towards the end of the legislative term, in August 1998, President Nelson Mandela appointed him to replace Sipo Mzimela as Minister of Correctional Services in the multi-party Government of National Unity.

[7] Although the requirement for multi-party representation lapsed after the 1999 general election, Skosana was retained in the cabinet of Mandela's successor, President Thabo Mbeki.

[9] However, Skosana remained an ordinary Member of Parliament, and, after his re-election to his seat in 2009, he was appointed as the House Chairperson in the National Assembly.

[3] Skosana died unexpectedly on 11 February 2014 after having collapsed while having dinner with his friend, Thulas Nxesi, at a restaurant in Cape Town.