Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria hosted the Vice Chancellor’s Book of the
Month event for June 2025, where Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tinyiko
Maluleke, engaged in a conversation with Dr. Nakedi Mathews Phosa about his memoir.
In his memoir, Witness to Power, Dr. Phosa offers a deeply personal and insider’s
perspective on South Africa’s political evolution. He reflects on his journey within the
African National Congress (ANC), his experiences with the country’s leadership, and his
close interactions with key political figures.
Dr. Nakedi Mathews Phosa is a distinguished South African lawyer, politician, and former
anti-apartheid activist. Born on 1 September 1952 in Mbombela Township, Nelspruit (now
in Mpumalanga), he was raised near Mokopane and pursued a law degree at the University
of the North. In 1981, he established the first black-owned legal practice in Nelspruit. Since
1994, Phosa has served as an advisor to all five democratic South African presidents,
starting with Nelson Mandela.
During the discussion, Dr. Phosa explained his motivation for writing the memoir. He
emphasized the need to fill historical gaps and underscored the importance of documenting
our own narratives: “It’s important to write our own history,” he said.
His reflections on leadership and accountability are especially illuminating, particularly in
relation to former President Jacob Zuma. In an excerpt from Witness to Power, Phosa
recounts the critical period leading up to Zuma’s resignation, exploring the complexities of
political relationships and the necessity of decisive leadership in times of crisis.
