Mzimkhulu Anthony Machemba was born and bred in Uitenhage, where he also attended Catholic Schooling from primary to high school. He studied Politics and Law at Wits University and Unisa obtaining a B.A. (Law & Political Studies) and LLB qualifications, and also completed an Executive Development Programme (EDP) with the Unisa School of Business Leadership (SBL). He is currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Law Practice.

His professional life started in 1996 in the Office of the Premier where he has developed and played various roles, to this day. Having started as a Training Officer, he moved on to Deputy Director: Labour Relations; Director: Transversal Human Resources Management and later Employee & Organisational Wellness; Chief Director: Transversal OD and Consultancy Services and later Human Capital and Talent Management; DDG: Institutional Development Support and Integrity Management.

He strengths lie in Labour Relations, HRM&D, OD, Institutional Development, Governance and Administration.

Since November 2020 he is serving as Acting Head for the Department of Social Development. On the 1st of January 2022 he was appointed as the Head of Department for Social Development to date.