Commissioner Mathews holds a BA Honours and a Higher Education Diploma from the University of Western Cape. In 1985, he obtained a Bed Degree at the University of the Free State. Presently, Commissioner Matthews is busy with his research report (Masters in Public Administration) at the University of the Free State.
In 1994, Commissioner Matthews became the leader of the Strategic Management Team responsible for the amalgamation of the different education departments in the Northern Cape as well as Advisor to the MEC for Education.
From 1995 – 1999, he was Political Advisor to the Premier of the Northern Cape. In terms of political activity he was a provincial candidate for the ANC in 1994 and 1999. He served as chairperson of various ANC structures (Education Desk, ANC branches and regional structures in the Province). Before the 1994 elections, he was sent to Canada by the ANC to be trained as a senior civil servant.
From 1994, he served on various committees including amongst others, Chairperson of the Premier’s Education Trust, board member of the Free State Technikon, Technikon South Africa as well as the Northern Cape Technical College.
Commissioner Matthews was appointed Commissioner resident in the Northern Cape Province in 1999.