Holding a doctorate of law from Unisa,[2] he was also a long-time legal adviser to his party, the African National Congress, which he represented during the negotiations to end apartheid.

[3] While at the University of Zululand, he occupied leadership positions in the South African Students' Organisation,[4] and he has cited Black Consciousness figures as influential for him during this period.

[1][4] Maduna's exile included spells in Maputo, Mozambique, where he lived with Albie Sachs; in New York; and at the ANC headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia.

[1] After his retirement from politics, Maduna's first significant venture was as chairperson and part-owner of Tshwarisano, a consortium which acquired 25% of petrochemicals company Sasol in a R1.45-billion black economic empowerment deal.

[13][14] He has also held senior positions at law firm Bowman Gilfillan (including the vice chairmanship),[15] and business interests in platinum mining, property, and banking.

[21] In October 1997, Maduna was one of several ANC politicians whom opposition MP Patricia de Lille publicly accused of having spied for the apartheid government.