Nkewu was born on 27 May 1972[1] in the village of Molelema near Taung in the present-day North West province.
[2] She represented the ANC as a local councillor in Greater Taung Local Municipality, where she was a Member of the Mayoral Committee,[2][4] until February 2015, when she was elected as Provincial Treasurer of the ANC's North West branch, serving under Provincial Chairperson Supra Mahumapelo.
Mahumapelo, in his capacity as North West Premier, appointed her as MEC for Social Development.
[3][8][9] Her memorial service, held in Taung, included speeches by Mahumapelo and ANC Women's League stalwarts Bathabile Dlamini and Baleka Mbete.
[4] Fenny Gaolaolwe acted as Social Development MEC until August 2017, when Hoffman Galeng was appointed as Nkewu's permanent replacement in the Executive Council.