Tshotetsi rose to prominence as national secretary-general of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS). In that capacity, while addressing a rally of mineworkers near Brits in May 2014, he described Thuli Madonsela, then the Public Protector, as "that woman with the big, ugly nose".[3][4] His remarks, reflecting the unpopularity of Madonsela's recently published report on the Nkandla scandal, were criticized by the ANC,[3] and the Sunday Times labelled Tshotetsi as its Mampara of the Week.[5] The COSAS leadership said that Tshotetsi had been speaking on behalf of the organisation in his criticism of Madonsela, but it disowned his personal remark about her appearance.[4]
After leaving COSAS, Tshotetsi entered the provincial leadership of the ANC Youth League in the North West, first as its provincial spokesperson and then as its provincial secretary.[6][7] He stood unsuccessfully for election to the North West Provincial Legislature in May 2019.[2]
