Formerly an economics professor at the University of Fort Hare, Mayatula entered legislative politics with a term in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature from 1994 to 1999.
[3] He remained in that portfolio until March 1998, when Mhlaba's successor, Premier Makhenkesi Stofile, appointed him to replace Nosimo Balindlela as MEC for Education.
Eddie Trent of the opposition Democratic Party said that he was "very concerned" by the appointment because Mayatula's performance in the finance portfolio had been "abysmal".
[7] He remained in that position until the 2009 general election, when he declined to seek re-election and retired from frontline politics to work in the non-profit sector.
[5][2] However, less than three years later, on 7 February 2012, he returned to the National Assembly when the ANC nominated him to fill the casual vacancy arising from Enoch Godongwana's resignation.