Office of the Commissioners
Commissioners provide guidance in developing the vision of the institution by setting its priorities and ensuring that its policies, programmes and allocated resources are consistent with their vision. This is done through exercising good corporate governance and providing leadership and guidance on the professional work of the Commission. Commissioners hold fortnightly performance reporting meetings with the CEO to oversee the quarterly plenary reporting processes.
The Commissioners are the public face of the Commission, representing the organisation at national, regional and international fora. They also interact with local communities and stakeholders at the national level in order to address human rights issues. In addition to the policy and legislative mandates of the Commission, Commissioners have adopted a document called the Human Rights Matrix.
The Human Rights Matrix tracks the various human rights obligations of South Africa at the international, regional and domestic levels. It is a tool that assists in identification of the Commissioners’ strategic focus areas and priorities. It assists in identifying the unique role of the Commission as a national human rights institution.
The strategic priority areas in the Human Rights Matrix were identified, discussed and integrated into the Strategic Plan. Each Commissioner is assigned a specific province and United Nations treaty body.
Professor Bongani Christopher Majola
Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission
Professor Bongani Christopher Majola holds a Masters of Law Degree (LLM) from Harvard Law School, USA. Before graduating with an LLM from Harvard Law School in 1988, Prof. Majola obtained a Public Service Law Diploma in 1975, a Public Service Senior Law Certificate (Diploma Legum) in 1977, B. Iuris Degree in 1980, and a Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1982. All qualifications before the Professor’s LLM were obtained at the University of Zululand.
Professor Bongani Christopher Majola holds a Masters of Law Degree (LLM) from Harvard Law School, USA. Before graduating with an LLM from Harvard Law School in 1988, Prof. Majola obtained a Public Service Law Diploma in 1975, a Public Service Senior Law Certificate (Diploma Legum) in 1977, B. Iuris Degree in 1980, and a Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1982. All qualifications before the Professor’s LLM were obtained at the University of Zululand.
Before being appointed as the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission), a seven-year term that commences on the 3 January 2017, Professor Majola served as the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and Registrar of the UN International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (UNIICTR) from January 2013 to December 2015. From January 2003 to December 2012, Professor Majola supported the Chief Prosecutor as Deputy Chief Prosecutor, UNICTR, in the prosecution of suspects indicted for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide of 1994 in which between half a million and eight hundred thousand people were murdered in a period of 100 days.
Locally, Professor Majola headed a public interest litigation organisation, the Legal Resources Centre from May 1996 to January 2003, as National Director. From January 1989 to May 1996, he served at the University of Limpopo, as a Professor and Dean of the faculty of Law. He continued to teach law courses such as Constitutional, Administrative, and Public International Laws, amongst other courses.
Professor Majola is an admitted advocate of the Republic of South Africa.
Professor Majola’s illustrious legal career began with him serving as the Administrative Clerk of the Madadeni District Magistrate’s Court from August 1971. By January 1975, he was appointed as Public Prosecutor in Madadeni District Magistrate’s Court and was appointed as District Magistrate to Madadeni District in June 1977. In February 1979, Professor Majola began teaching undergraduate students at the Institute for Public Service Training at the University of Zululand.
Before being appointed as the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission), a seven-year term that commences on the 3 January 2017, Professor Majola served as the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and Registrar of the UN International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (UNIICTR) from January 2013 to December 2015. From January 2003 to December 2012, Professor Majola supported the Chief Prosecutor as Deputy Chief Prosecutor, UNICTR, in the prosecution of suspects indicted for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide of 1994 in which between half a million and eight hundred thousand people were murdered in a period of 100 days.
Locally, Professor Majola headed a public interest litigation organisation, the Legal Resources Centre from May 1996 to January 2003, as National Director. From January 1989 to May 1996, he served at the University of Limpopo, as a Professor and Dean of the faculty of Law. He continued to teach law courses such as Constitutional, Administrative, and Public International Laws, amongst other courses.
Professor Majola is an admitted advocate of the Republic of South Africa.
Professor Majola’s illustrious legal career began with him serving as the Administrative Clerk of the Madadeni District Magistrate’s Court from August 1971. By January 1975, he was appointed as Public Prosecutor in Madadeni District Magistrate’s Court and was appointed as District Magistrate to Madadeni District in June 1977. In February 1979, Professor Majola began teaching undergraduate students at the Institute for Public Service Training at the University of Zululand.
Fatima Chohan
Deputy Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission
Ms. Fatima Chohan is currently the Deputy Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission. She previously served as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. She was first appointed as a Member of Parliament in 1996 and became Deputy Minister of Home Affairs in 2010.
Ms. Chohan holds a B.Proc degree from the University of Witwatersrand and is an admitted attorney. She chaired various Portfolio Committees such as Basic Education, Justice and Constitutional Development, and Public Enterprises. Ms. Chohan served as a Legal Advisor in the Gauteng Legislature and Parliamentary Representative on the Magistrate's Commission and also Chairperson of the Western Cape Provincial Committee of the Magistrate's Commission. In addition, she also served as a member of the Judicial Services Commission (2009-2013).
She currently heads up the Equality Focus Area in the SAHRC.
She currently heads up the Equality Focus Area in the SAHRC.
Advocate Bokankatla Joseph Malatji
Full-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission
Advocate Bokankatla Joseph Malatji made history by being the first black, blind student to be admitted at the University of the North in 1971 and then the first black, blind person to be admitted as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa in 1977. Advocate Malatji, during his first seven year term as a Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission, was very active in the field of disability rights as this was one of his Focus Areas. At international, regional and domestic level, Advocate Malatji has participated in numerous platforms. In 2014, Advocate Malatji was invited to be part of the United Nations Working Group on the Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNPRPD).
Advocate Bokankatla Joseph Malatji made history by being the first black, blind student to be admitted at the University of the North in 1971 and then the first black, blind person to be admitted as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa in 1977. Advocate Malatji completed a B Iuris Degree at the University of the North with two awards from Transvaal Law Society for the best Law student during 1972 and 1973. He then went on to complete his LLB degree with Latin III as an additional course in 1976. Advocate Malatji, during his first seven year term as a Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission, was very active in the field of disability rights as this was one of his Focus Areas. At international, regional and domestic level, Advocate Malatji has participated in numerous platforms. In 2014, Advocate Malatji was invited to be part of the United Nations Working Group on the Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNPRPD).
Advocate Malatji has more than two decades worth of working experience in the public sector. He started his legal career as a Legal Adviser in the Department of Justice from 1977 until 1995. He then moved on to being the Head of Provincial Legal Services for South African Police Services in Limpopo Province from 1995 to 2001.
Advocate Malatji, has a passion for the promotion and the protection of the rights of people living with disabilities. He served as a member of the School Governing Body for Siloe School for the Blind from 2001 to 2007. Advocate Malatji has been a member of Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) since 1991 to date.
Advocate Malatji, during his first seven year term as a Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission, was very active in the field of disability rights as this was one of his Focus Areas. At international, regional and domestic level, Advocate Malatji has participated in numerous platforms. In 2014, Advocate Malatji was invited to be part of the United Nations Working Group on the Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNPRPD). Phase 1 of this project was completed in March 2016. During the period of this project, Advocate Malatji secured funds to train Chapter 9 Institution staff on the monitoring and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Advocate Malatji’s office, during his first term as Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission, played a pivotal role in the development of the White Paper on the Rights of People with Disabilities and provided support to the Department of Social Development through inputs, submissions, consultative engagements and a presentation by Advocate Malatji at the launch of the White Paper. Cabinet approved the White Paper in December 2015.
In relation to the Advocate Malatji’s work with the Commission, focused on the rights of older persons, his office launched its report on the investigations into the challenges relating to the treatment and abuse of Older Persons. The report focuses on systemic issues that have a direct impact on Older persons.
Philile Ntuli
Full-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission
Philile Ntuli’s life’s work focuses on women’s relationship with the state. She is particularly interested in exploring how/whether South Africa’s project of democratisation can disrupt historical gendered hierarchies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English Literature, as well as a post-graduate Diploma on Public Policy Development from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. She further obtained an Honours Degree in Sociology (Gender Studies) and a Master’s Degree in Social Science: Gender Studies from the University of Pretoria. Ms Ntuli has also attained certification from the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, on the topic of the African Political Economy. In addition, she has received training in Media Monitoring and Public Relations.
Ms Ntuli is currently working towards a PhD in Public Law at the University of Cape Town with a focus on the gendered nature of institutions. Her areas of research interest include African feminisms, gender justice, public law and policy, and land reform. Her personal, academic and professional curiosities are founded on the connectivity of social, psychological, and structural systems and processes, and on the inter- relatedness of the notions of agency and power.
Possessed with an acute awareness and curiosity about the political and social order from a young age, Ms Ntuli has been a human rights activist in various capacities for the majority of her living experience. Further, Ms Ntuli’s combined working experience ranges between public policy development and analysis, social-entrepreneurship, academia, as well as in civil-society.
A highly creative thinker, Ms Ntuli has built a feminist institution (Community Library, Coffee Shop, Arts Lounge) mainly using pre-disposed and recycled materials. The institution was a practical experiment in human relationships with nature, sustainability and green economies, and in feminist leadership.
Human Rights questions that currently concern Ms Ntuli relate to climate justice/injustice, the politics of land (access, use, and ownership), human relationships with nature, ‘greener’ economy/-ies, and the nature of feminist leadership.
Possessed with an acute awareness and curiosity about the political and social order from a young age, Ms Ntuli has been a human rights activist in various capacities for the majority of her living experience. Further, Ms Ntuli’s combined working experience ranges between public policy development and analysis, social-entrepreneurship, academia, as well as in civil-society.
A highly creative thinker, Ms Ntuli has built a feminist institution (Community Library, Coffee Shop, Arts Lounge) mainly using pre-disposed and recycled materials. The institution was a practical experiment in human relationships with nature, sustainability and green economies, and in feminist leadership.
Human Rights questions that currently concern Ms Ntuli relate to climate justice/injustice, the politics of land (access, use, and ownership), human relationships with nature, ‘greener’ economy/-ies, and the nature of feminist leadership.
Advocate Andre Hurtley Gaum
Full-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission responsible for Basic Education
Advocate André Hurtley Gaum obtained the BA, (Law) LLB and LLM (in Constitutional Law) degrees from the University of Stellenbosch. He was admitted as an Attorney and thereafter as Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
Advocate Gaum’s work relating to the Constitution of South Africa started at its inception, when he was involved in an advisory capacity in the final stage of the negotiation process that led to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. He has been a member of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee from 1999 to 2000, 2005 to 2009 and 2011 to 2014.
Advocate Gaum’s work relating to the Constitution of South Africa started at its inception, when he was involved in an advisory capacity in the final stage of the negotiation process that led to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. He has been a member of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee from 1999 to 2000, 2005 to 2009 and 2011 to 2014.
Advocate André Hurtley Gaum obtained the BA, (Law) LLB and LLM (in Constitutional Law) degrees from the University of Stellenbosch. He was admitted as an Attorney and thereafter as Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
Advocate Gaum’s work relating to the Constitution of South Africa started at its inception, when he was involved in an advisory capacity in the final stage of the negotiation process that led to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. He has been a member of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee from 1999 to 2000, 2005 to 2009 and 2011 to 2014.
Advocate Gaum began his legal career as a State Prosecutor in 1992 and in the same year moved to the Office of the State Attorney, where he was involved in litigation on behalf of the state. He worked as a Legal Advisor from 1995 to 1999, whilst he served as a Stellenbosch Municipal Councillor. Advocate Gaum served as Legal Advisor to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2010 and most recently served as Parliamentary Liaison officer to the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, liaising between the Deputy Minister’s office and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Home Affairs and providing advice on legal, legislative and policy matters.
Advocate Gaum has also served at legislative and executive level at both provincial and national level. He was a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament from 2001 to 2004 and was a Member of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa from 1999 – 2009 and end 2010 – May 2014, serving as a member of the National Assembly Portfolio Committees for Education, Safety and Security, the Rules Committee and Joint Rules Committee, amongst his many other duties.
Advocate Gaum also served as MEC for Education in the Western Cape Provincial Government and in former President Kgalema Motlanthe’s government as Deputy Minister of Education.
Advocate Gaum’s work relating to the Constitution of South Africa started at its inception, when he was involved in an advisory capacity in the final stage of the negotiation process that led to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. He has been a member of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee from 1999 to 2000, 2005 to 2009 and 2011 to 2014.
Advocate Gaum began his legal career as a State Prosecutor in 1992 and in the same year moved to the Office of the State Attorney, where he was involved in litigation on behalf of the state. He worked as a Legal Advisor from 1995 to 1999, whilst he served as a Stellenbosch Municipal Councillor. Advocate Gaum served as Legal Advisor to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2010 and most recently served as Parliamentary Liaison officer to the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, liaising between the Deputy Minister’s office and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Home Affairs and providing advice on legal, legislative and policy matters.
Advocate Gaum has also served at legislative and executive level at both provincial and national level. He was a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament from 2001 to 2004 and was a Member of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa from 1999 – 2009 and end 2010 – May 2014, serving as a member of the National Assembly Portfolio Committees for Education, Safety and Security, the Rules Committee and Joint Rules Committee, amongst his many other duties.
Advocate Gaum also served as MEC for Education in the Western Cape Provincial Government and in former President Kgalema Motlanthe’s government as Deputy Minister of Education.
Matlhodi Angelina (Angie) Makwetla
Full-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission Responsible for Children’s Rights
PERSONAL MISSION: TO LIVE CONSCIOUSLY, TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY AND TO LEAVE A MEANINGFUL LEGACY
PERSONAL MISSION: TO LIVE CONSCIOUSLY, TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY AND TO LEAVE A MEANINGFUL LEGACY
Angie holds a BA (Social Work) degree from the University of the North, a Management Certificate from Arthur D Little Management School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, an Empowerment Workshop Trainer certificate from the Empowerment Institute in New York, and an SMME Management Certificate from Galilee College in Israel.
She worked for many years with the late Dr Aggrey Klaaste, managing the Sowetan Nation Building Programs.
Angie was appointed as a Commissioner for Human Rights on the 3rd January 2017. She is responsible for children’s rights within the commission.
Angie is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) where she was chairperson of the Social and Ethics Committee. She was also a member of the Human Capacity and Remuneration Committee of the NEF. She is also a trustee of the Dr Thandi Ndlovu Children’s Foundation. She has received various awards and recognitions, including Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the Year Award (Media & Communications category), Visionary Leadership Award by the Soweto branch of the BWA, and Top emerging SMME Empowerment Company by Impumelelo Top Companies, a recognition endorsed by the dti.
Angie describes herself as a social entrepreneur, dedicated to life-long learning and upliftment of disadvantaged members of our communities.
She is inspired in her empowerment work by the words of former President Mandela: “Only an all-round effort to inspire the life experience, skills, energies and aspirations of our people can lay the basis for a new SA. Our RDP will guide us from apartheid to freedom. We need to dedicate ourselves to challenges of reconstruction – not only of ourselves, but those around us whose lives we touch on a daily basis”
Angie was appointed as a Commissioner for Human Rights on the 3rd January 2017. She is responsible for children’s rights within the commission.
Angie is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) where she was chairperson of the Social and Ethics Committee. She was also a member of the Human Capacity and Remuneration Committee of the NEF. She is also a trustee of the Dr Thandi Ndlovu Children’s Foundation. She has received various awards and recognitions, including Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the Year Award (Media & Communications category), Visionary Leadership Award by the Soweto branch of the BWA, and Top emerging SMME Empowerment Company by Impumelelo Top Companies, a recognition endorsed by the dti.
Angie describes herself as a social entrepreneur, dedicated to life-long learning and upliftment of disadvantaged members of our communities.
She is inspired in her empowerment work by the words of former President Mandela: “Only an all-round effort to inspire the life experience, skills, energies and aspirations of our people can lay the basis for a new SA. Our RDP will guide us from apartheid to freedom. We need to dedicate ourselves to challenges of reconstruction – not only of ourselves, but those around us whose lives we touch on a daily basis”
Advocate Jonas Ben Sibanyoni
Part-Time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission
Advocate Jonas Ben Sibanyoni obtained a B. Proc degree from the University of Zululand in 1981 and was admitted as an Attorney on the 10th July 1984. In 1995, the High Court of the Republic of South Africa granted him a Right of Audience. In March 1998, he served as a Member of the Amnesty Committee, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), until February 2001.
Advocate Jonas Ben Sibanyoni obtained a B. Proc degree from the University of Zululand in 1981 and was admitted as an Attorney on the 10th July 1984. In 1995, the High Court of the Republic of South Africa granted him a Right of Audience.
Advocate Sibanyoni’s legal career started in November 1974, when he took up a temporary position as Clerk and Court Interpreter at Witbank Magistrate’s Court. He then took up a more permanent position in September 1975 as a Clerk and interpreter, after a brief tenure with Law Firm in Witbank. In 1977 he obtained a loan to pursue his law degree.
After serving articles as a Candidate Attorney and after his admittance as an Attorney, Advocate Sibanyoni wished to establish his own practice, but failed to receive exemption under the Group Areas Act, applicable at the time. He thus worked as a radio announcer, producer and DJ from March 1982 to August 1984. He eventually established his law practice in Bronkhorstspruit in March 1985. Between April 1993 to February 1995, Advocate Sibanyoni lectured law students at Vista University, Mamelodi Campus, and was the Director of the Legal Aid Clinic.
Advocate Sibanyoni joined the President’s Office in 1995, as Human Resources Manager (RDP Project). He then joined the National Institute for Public Interest Law and Research (NIPLAR) and served as a National Co-ordinator of a network of advice offices, from 1996 to February 1998. In March 1998, he served as a Member of the Amnesty Committee, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), until February 2001.
Advocate Sibanyoni became a Member of Parliament in February 2004 as a Member of the Judicial Service Committee. Amongst the many portfolio committees he was a member of, he served most notably as a member of the Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee; his area of specialisation was with the Legal Aid Board, Social Development Portfolio Committee and he served as the Committee Chairperson for the Appointment of the Deputy Public Protector in 2004.
Advocate Sibanyoni’s legal career started in November 1974, when he took up a temporary position as Clerk and Court Interpreter at Witbank Magistrate’s Court. He then took up a more permanent position in September 1975 as a Clerk and interpreter, after a brief tenure with Law Firm in Witbank. In 1977 he obtained a loan to pursue his law degree.
After serving articles as a Candidate Attorney and after his admittance as an Attorney, Advocate Sibanyoni wished to establish his own practice, but failed to receive exemption under the Group Areas Act, applicable at the time. He thus worked as a radio announcer, producer and DJ from March 1982 to August 1984. He eventually established his law practice in Bronkhorstspruit in March 1985. Between April 1993 to February 1995, Advocate Sibanyoni lectured law students at Vista University, Mamelodi Campus, and was the Director of the Legal Aid Clinic.
Advocate Sibanyoni joined the President’s Office in 1995, as Human Resources Manager (RDP Project). He then joined the National Institute for Public Interest Law and Research (NIPLAR) and served as a National Co-ordinator of a network of advice offices, from 1996 to February 1998. In March 1998, he served as a Member of the Amnesty Committee, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), until February 2001.
Advocate Sibanyoni became a Member of Parliament in February 2004 as a Member of the Judicial Service Committee. Amongst the many portfolio committees he was a member of, he served most notably as a member of the Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee; his area of specialisation was with the Legal Aid Board, Social Development Portfolio Committee and he served as the Committee Chairperson for the Appointment of the Deputy Public Protector in 2004.
Andrew Christoffel Nissen
Part-Time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission
Andrew Christoffel Nissen holds a Joint Board Diploma in Theology from the Federal Theological Seminary in Pietermaritzburg obtained in 1980. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours degree from the University of Cape Town in 1988. His dissertation: An Investigation into the supposed loss of Khoikhoi Traditional Religious Heritage, earned him his Masters of Arts degree in 1990. Due to his work, Mr. Nissen has been honoured by having streets named after him as well as a school in Knysna.
Andrew Christoffel Nissen holds a Joint Board Diploma in Theology from the Federal Theological Seminary in Pietermaritzburg obtained in 1980. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours degree from the University of Cape Town in 1988. His dissertation: An Investigation into the supposed loss of Khoikhoi Traditional Religious Heritage, earned him his Masters of Arts degree in 1990.
Mr. Nissen was ordained as a Minister of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa in 1981 and served in congregations as far afield as Limpopo Province, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. He worked for the Western Province Council of Churches in the 1980s, leading the Standing for the Truth Campaign. He also attended HIV/AIDS training in Canada in 1991 on behalf of the South African Council of Churches.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Mr. Nissen did extensive work as a community organiser in communities such as Graaf Reinett, Eerste River Advice Office, Macassar, Die Bos (now named after him as, Chris Nissen Park) and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. He supported communities in various human rights issues such as housing and access to land. Due to his work, Mr. Nissen has been honoured by having streets named after him as well as a school in Knysna.
After years of ecumenical, community and political organisation based work, Mr. Nissen was appointed as a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, served as Deputy Speaker, served as MEC of Economic Affairs and was National Co-ordinator of the Mashakane Campaign for the Department of Constitutional Development from 1994 to 1999.
Mr. Nissen was ordained as a Minister of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa in 1981 and served in congregations as far afield as Limpopo Province, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. He worked for the Western Province Council of Churches in the 1980s, leading the Standing for the Truth Campaign. He also attended HIV/AIDS training in Canada in 1991 on behalf of the South African Council of Churches.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Mr. Nissen did extensive work as a community organiser in communities such as Graaf Reinett, Eerste River Advice Office, Macassar, Die Bos (now named after him as, Chris Nissen Park) and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. He supported communities in various human rights issues such as housing and access to land. Due to his work, Mr. Nissen has been honoured by having streets named after him as well as a school in Knysna.
After years of ecumenical, community and political organisation based work, Mr. Nissen was appointed as a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, served as Deputy Speaker, served as MEC of Economic Affairs and was National Co-ordinator of the Mashakane Campaign for the Department of Constitutional Development from 1994 to 1999.