She was first elected to the National Assembly in the 1994 general election, South Africa's first under universal suffrage. She gained re-election in 1999 (on that occasion representing the Limpopo constituency), 2004, and 2009. After the 2004 election, the ANC nominated her to replace Cas Saloojee as chair of the social development committee. She resigned during her fourth term in the assembly, with effect from 1 January 2011.
