[5] On her return to South Africa, Nkoana-Mashabane became Limpopo's Local Government and Housing Member of the Executive Council.

[2] In February 2018, she was moved to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, and her position was subsequently filled by Lindiwe Sisulu.

In May 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa named Nkoana-Mashabane as Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, succeeding Bathabile Dlamini.

[16] Her second husband was Norman Mashabane, who was recalled from his position as South African Ambassador to Indonesia after sexual harassment charges were laid against him.

[18] As Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Nkoana-Mashabane incurred expenditure of R235 000 for a single flight from Norway to Bulgaria.

At the Oslo Airport, refusing to have her bag searched and missing her commercial flight, Nkoana-Mashabane insisted on chartering a private jet.