Khusela Diko Biography: Age, Salary, Date of Birth, Contact Details
Khusela Diko is a South African politician, public servant, and communications strategist who rose to national prominence through senior roles within the African National Congress and the South African presidency. Known for her strong background in political communication and government messaging, she has remained a notable public figure in South Africa’s political landscape.
This biography presents a clear and natural overview of Khusela Diko’s age, salary, parents, new name, husband, date of birth, and contact details, written in line with Google AdSense content guidelines.
Khusela Diko Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Khusela Diko |
| Maiden Name | Khusela Sangoni |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Age | Late 40s – early 50s (estimated) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Parents | Nkosikazi Nolwandle Sangoni |
| Royal Lineage | Nobetha clan, abaThembu |
| First Husband | Jacob Khawe |
| Salary | Approx. R1.3 million per year |
| Profession | Politician, Communications Strategist |
| Political Party | African National Congress (ANC) |
Who Is Khusela Diko?
Khusela Diko (née Sangoni) is best known for serving as spokesperson to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa between 2018 and 2020. Before that appointment, she held several influential communication roles within the African National Congress (ANC) and the Gauteng provincial government.
Her career has largely focused on political communication, public relations, and strategic messaging at both provincial and national levels.
Date of Birth and Age
Khusela Diko’s exact date of birth has not been publicly disclosed. However, she completed high school in 1993, which places her birth year in the early to mid-1970s. As a result, her exact age is not officially confirmed, though she is generally believed to be in her late 40s or early 50s.
Early Life and Parents
Khusela Diko was born Khusela Sangoni and raised in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. She is the only daughter of Nkosikazi Nolwandle Sangoni and holds royal heritage as a princess of the Nobetha clan of the abaThembu people.
Her upbringing combined cultural tradition with formal education, grounding her early life in leadership values, discipline, and public responsibility.
Education Background
She matriculated from Collegiate Girls’ High School in Port Elizabeth in 1993. After completing high school, she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree, which provided a strong foundation for her later work in administration, communication, and politics.
Political and Professional Career
Khusela Diko built a strong reputation as a communications expert long before entering the Presidency. Her early political career included serving as spokesperson for the ANC Youth League and later becoming Head of Communications for the Gauteng provincial government.
In 2016, she was appointed National Communications Manager of the ANC, operating from the party’s headquarters at Luthuli House. In this role, she worked closely with other top ANC officials and helped shape the party’s national public messaging.
In March 2018, she resigned from that role after being appointed spokesperson to President Ramaphosa. She served in the Presidency until July 2020, when she took extended special leave following involvement in a high-profile COVID-19 procurement controversy.
Despite that setback, Diko remained politically active and was later elected to a five-year term on the ANC National Executive Committee in December 2022, reflecting continued support within party structures.
New Name and Maiden Name
Khusela Diko’s new name is Khusela Diko, following marriage. Her maiden name (new name before marriage) is Khusela Sangoni, which is still commonly referenced in formal and historical records.
Husband and Marital Life
Khusela Diko was previously married to Jacob Khawe, a well-known political figure. The marriage later ended, and she has since kept her personal and romantic life largely away from public attention. There is no officially confirmed information about a current husband.
Salary
During her time as a senior government official, Khusela Diko reportedly earned an annual salary of approximately R1.3 million. This figure aligns with executive-level remuneration for high-ranking public servants and presidential spokespersons in South Africa.
Contact Details
Khusela Diko’s personal contact details are not publicly disclosed, in line with privacy and security standards for public figures. Official or professional communication is typically conducted through ANC structures, government liaison offices, or verified public platforms when applicable.
Final Thoughts
Khusela Diko’s career reflects both the opportunities and pressures that come with high-level public service in South Africa. From royal heritage in the Eastern Cape to the corridors of power in Johannesburg and Pretoria, her journey has been shaped by leadership, communication expertise, and political resilience.
While aspects of her life have attracted controversy, her continued relevance within ANC structures highlights her lasting influence in South African politics and public communication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Khusela Diko?
Khusela Diko is a South African politician and communications strategist. She is best known for serving as spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa and for holding senior communications roles within the African National Congress (ANC).
2. What is Khusela Diko’s maiden name?
Her maiden name is Khusela Sangoni. She is sometimes referred to by this name in official and historical records.
3. What is Khusela Diko’s salary?
During her time in senior government positions, Khusela Diko reportedly earned about R1.3 million per year, which is in line with executive public service roles in South Africa.
4. Who are Khusela Diko’s parents?
She is the only daughter of Nkosikazi Nolwandle Sangoni and belongs to the Nobetha clan of the abaThembu people in the Eastern Cape.
5. Is Khusela Diko married?
Khusela Diko was previously married to Jacob Khawe. She has since kept her personal life private, and there is no publicly confirmed information about a current husband.