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Curriculum Vitae: Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Hon Andries Nel, MP

The Honourable Andries Nel, MP, is the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Born in New Orleans while his father served as South Africa’s consul, he grew up across continents and developed an early passion for justice and human rights.

He studied law at the University of Pretoria, where he was active in the anti-apartheid movement.

He began his career with Lawyers for Human Rights, co-ordinating its Capital Punishment and Penal Reform Project before being elected as a Member of Parliament for the African National Congress in 1994.

During 1994 - 1996 he was involved in writing our Constitution as a member of the Constitutional Assembly.

Over three decades, he has served as Whip, Deputy and Acting Chief Whip, House Chairperson of the National Assembly, and Deputy Minister in both Justice and Consitutional Development and Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs.

After working at the ANC’s headquarters as co-ordinator of its National Executive and National Working Committees between 2019 and 2024, he was re-elected as a Member of Parliament in 2024 and appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In addition to his duties as a public representative, he is a research fellow at the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Johannesburg and a director of the Mapungubwe Institute of Strategic Reflection (MISTRA).

Throughout, his career has reflected a deep commitment to constitutional democracy, human rights, and expanding access to justice for all South Africans.

Updated: 23 Oct 2025