John Mutorwa was born on 17 August 1957, at the Village of Kadedere, in the Kavango East Region of Namibia. He attended Primary School at the Nyangana Roman Catholic Mission from 1968 - 1973; Junior Secondary at Linus Shashipapo Secondary School and Senior Secondary at Rundu Secondary School.

Honourable John Mutorwa is a teacher by profession; a career he started in 1985 until 31 July 1990. His teaching career ended, as the Principal of Maria Mwengere Secondary School, in the Kavango East Region of Namibia. He holds a BA Degree, majoring in History and Psychology, from the University of Fort Hare, (SA); Higher Education Teaching Diploma (HED); BA(Hons in history) from the University of Namibia (UNAM) and a M.Ed (Interdisciplinary Studies in Education) from University of the Montana (USA) and a Certificate in Executive Program for Leaders in development from Harvard University (USA).

Following Namibia's independence in 1990, honourable Mutorwa joined government, as the Regional Commissioner for the Kavango Region, Omega and Tsumkwe Areas. In 1992, he became a member of Parliament and Cabinet. He further served in several Ministerial portfolios in the Government, ranging from being the Deputy Minister of the then Department of Water Affairs; Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports; Deputy minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources; Minister of Basic Education and Culture; Minister of Basic Education, Sport and Agriculture, Water and Forestry; and now the Minister of Works and Transport.

Honourable John Mutorwa is currently serving as the Deputy Prime Minister, whilst at the same time, retaining his position as Minister of Works and Transport. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister role by His Excellency, President Dr Nangolo Mbumba on 9 February 2024.

Honourable John Mutorwa is a steadfast and prodigious supporter of the Transport and allied sectors ensuring that the country provides infrastructure and skills needed to industrialise the economy of Namibia.