Mathu Joyini is the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations in New York. Before that, she was the Deputy Director-General at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, heading the Diplomatic Academy and the Mediation Support Unit. 
 
Prior to joining Government in 2001 January, she held various positions in the private sector in different industries, including Mining, Finance, Petroleum and Consulting, since 1991. 
 
In the private sector, she occupied the following managerial and executive positions: 
•    Organisational Development Manager: Southern Life 
•    Consultant: Deloitte and Touche 
•    General Manager: Exel Petroleum 
•    Partner: Sediba Consulting. 
 
In Government, she occupied the following managerial and executive positions in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation:  
•    Chief Director Human Resources. 
•    Deputy Director-General Human Resources. 
•    High Commissioner and Ambassador to 6 countries in the Caribbean.  
•    Permanent Representative of South Africa to the International Seabed Authority.  
•    Deputy Director General Diplomatic Training and Mediation Support. 
 
Mathu holds the following degrees: 
BA in Social Work from the University of the Witwatersrand  
MA Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, USA   
Masters in Business Administration from Wits Business School. 
Certificate in Integral Coaching from the University of Cape Town 
Certificate in Mediation from Swiss Peace