Formerly: led organized labour negotiations on policy in South Africa; involved in drafting accords on economic policy matters and in textile industry in the organization of labour and dealing with social, trade and industrial matters; over 10 years as Member, Governing Body, International Labour Organization, led global negotiations on policy and standard-setting on human resources development, cooperatives, employment relationship, globalization and social justice and global employment agenda; involved with South Africa team at WTO Ministerial Meetings. Appointed Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of South Africa in May 2009; responsibilities included oversight of Africa’s largest industrial bank, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC); guides the country’s trade policy through the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC); oversees the country’s competition authorities which over the past eight years have focused on improved action against anti-competitive behaviour and extending public interest conditions on mergers and acquisitions; headed the Secretariat of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordination Commission (PICC), responsible for integrating the state’s efforts in the building of new energy plants, roads, dams, schools, hospitals, broadband networks, rail lines and ports. Appointed as the Minister of Trade and Industry in May 2019, Member of the National Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa.