[2] He holds a diploma in nursing (psychiatry) as well as a bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Administration and Applied Economics at Unisa.
In 1994, he became the speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, and in 1999, he was elected as MEC for housing, local government and traditional affairs in the province.
2004 saw him holding on to his position as MEC for housing and local government, and in 2009, he was appointed as minister of rural development and land reform.
[6][7] He has made contentious statements, on the local news, eNCA, that commercial farmers must co-operate or share a fate "worse than Zimbabwe".
Drawing critical reactions from the agricultural union, TAU SA, and the Freedom Front Plus and later, calls for clarity from the Democratic Alliance.