Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi
Encyclopedia
Geraldine Joslyn Fraser-Moleketi (born 24 August 1960) is a South Africa
n politician
who was Minister for the Public Service and Administration since 17 June 1999 to 25 September 2008. She was also a member of the National Executive Committee
of the African National Congress
until 2007.
on 24 August 1960, the eldest of the six children of Cynthia, a factory worker, and Arthur Fraser, a teacher working at specialized schools in the Cape Peninsula.
Fraser spent her formative years with her maternal grandmother who lives in the small Klipfontein community adjacent to Cape Town’s sprawling squatter camp, Crossroads. Her outlook on life was shaped by the beliefs of her grandmother who was an active trade unionist.
Politics further impacted on her family life. Fraser was eight years old when her mother’s sister, whose husband was active in the Non-European Unity Movement
, left the country to assume a life in exile. By the time she reached Standard 8 Fraser had developed a keen political awareness.
which had a history of providing its pupils with alternative perspective on South African history and socio-political issues. Years on apartheid on Cape Town buses, where half the bus was reserved for whites, had also sharpened her political perspective and Fraser recalls battles with white school children on municipal buses traveling to and from school. Fraser was also influenced by events in and around Cape Town, such as the bulldozing of shacks in Crossroads in the early 1970s, the 1976 school protests and the Fatti’s and Monis strike and consumer boycott. Racial tension between the Coloured and the African Communities residing in the emerging settlements were also emerging. Fraser stepped forward in an attempt to resolve these tensions.
She holds a Masters in Administration from the University of Pretoria
.
, she left South Africa to go into exile in Zimbabwe
. Fraser-Moleketi was elected to the South African Communist Party
's Central Committee in 1988. She returned to South Africa in July 1990 when the Communist Party was unbanned and helped set up their national offices.
Following the resignation of President Thabo Mbeki
in September 2008, Fraser-Moleketi was one of ten ministers who submitted their resignations on September 23, although it was subsequently announced that she might be willing to remain in her post. This was, however, later refuted by her spokesperson and she was replaced by Richard Baloyi on September 25.
Kermal Dervis of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recently announced the appointment of Fraser-Moleketi as Democratic Governance Director in UNDP's Bureau for Development Policy (BDP). Fraser-Moleketi assumed her new role on January 2, 2009.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who was Minister for the Public Service and Administration since 17 June 1999 to 25 September 2008. She was also a member of the National Executive Committee
National Executive Committee (African National Congress)
The ANC National Executive Committee is the chief executive organ of the South African political party, the African National Congress. It is elected at every National Conference; the executive committee, in turn, elects a National Working Committee for day-to-day decision-making responsibilities.On...
of the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
until 2007.
Birth and Teenage Years
She was born in Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
on 24 August 1960, the eldest of the six children of Cynthia, a factory worker, and Arthur Fraser, a teacher working at specialized schools in the Cape Peninsula.
Fraser spent her formative years with her maternal grandmother who lives in the small Klipfontein community adjacent to Cape Town’s sprawling squatter camp, Crossroads. Her outlook on life was shaped by the beliefs of her grandmother who was an active trade unionist.
Politics further impacted on her family life. Fraser was eight years old when her mother’s sister, whose husband was active in the Non-European Unity Movement
Non-European Unity Movement
The 'Non-European Unity Movement' is a Trotskyist organisation formed in South Africa in 1947.-External Links:, by Baruch Hirson,SA History Online...
, left the country to assume a life in exile. By the time she reached Standard 8 Fraser had developed a keen political awareness.
Education
Fraser-Moleketi matriculated from Livingstone High School in ClaremontClaremont, Cape Town
Claremont is a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It is situated six miles south of the city, and is one of the so-called "Southern Suburbs". It is an important commercial and residential area, which is currently experiencing significant growth and development.-History:Until the arrival of Dutch...
which had a history of providing its pupils with alternative perspective on South African history and socio-political issues. Years on apartheid on Cape Town buses, where half the bus was reserved for whites, had also sharpened her political perspective and Fraser recalls battles with white school children on municipal buses traveling to and from school. Fraser was also influenced by events in and around Cape Town, such as the bulldozing of shacks in Crossroads in the early 1970s, the 1976 school protests and the Fatti’s and Monis strike and consumer boycott. Racial tension between the Coloured and the African Communities residing in the emerging settlements were also emerging. Fraser stepped forward in an attempt to resolve these tensions.
She holds a Masters in Administration from the University of Pretoria
University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a multi campus public research university located in Pretoria, the administrative and de facto capital of South Africa...
.
Political Activity
In 1980 while in her second year at the University of the Western CapeUniversity of the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape is a public university located in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It was established in 1960 by the South African government as a university for Coloured people only...
, she left South Africa to go into exile in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. Fraser-Moleketi was elected to the South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party is a political party in South Africa. It was founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa by the joining together of the International Socialist League and others under the leadership of Willam H...
's Central Committee in 1988. She returned to South Africa in July 1990 when the Communist Party was unbanned and helped set up their national offices.
Following the resignation of President Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
in September 2008, Fraser-Moleketi was one of ten ministers who submitted their resignations on September 23, although it was subsequently announced that she might be willing to remain in her post. This was, however, later refuted by her spokesperson and she was replaced by Richard Baloyi on September 25.
Kermal Dervis of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recently announced the appointment of Fraser-Moleketi as Democratic Governance Director in UNDP's Bureau for Development Policy (BDP). Fraser-Moleketi assumed her new role on January 2, 2009.