Joe Nhlanhla
Encyclopedia
Joseph Mbuku "Joe" Nhlanhla (December 4, 1936 – July 2, 2008) was an African National Congress
national executive and the former South Africa
n Intelligence Minister.
Born in Sophiatown, near Johannesburg, Nhlanhla attended the Ikage Primary School in Alexandra and later matriculated from Kilnerton Training Institute. He joined the ANC
's youth wing, the ANC Youth League
, in 1957. He was elected onto the ANCYL's Transvaal executive a year later. In early 1964, he travelled to the Soviet Union
to study, completing a Master's degree in economics
in 1969. However he never worked as an economist.
In 1969 he was appointed head of the ANC's youth and student headquarters in Tanzania
, a post he served in for five years before being chosen as the organisation's chief representative in Egypt and the Middle East in 1973. In 1978, the ANC posted him to its Lusaka
headquarters as national administrative secretary. In 1981 Nhlanhla became a member of the ANC national executive committee.
In 1986, he joined the organisation's intelligence directorate after serving a three-year stint as secretary to the political military council. The following year he became the ANC's intelligence chief, in which capacity, two years later, he was a member of the ANC group headed by Thabo Mbeki
which made contact with South Africa's then-apartheid government.
In 1995, Nhlanhla became Deputy Minister in the Justice Ministry, responsible for intelligence affairs. 1999 Nhlanhla was appointed by President Mbeki as Minister of Intelligence.
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...
national executive and the former South Africa
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 Intelligence Minister.
Born in Sophiatown, near Johannesburg, Nhlanhla attended the Ikage Primary School in Alexandra and later matriculated from Kilnerton Training Institute. He joined the ANC
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...
's youth wing, the ANC Youth League
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...
, in 1957. He was elected onto the ANCYL's Transvaal executive a year later. In early 1964, he travelled to the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
to study, completing a Master's degree in economics
Master of Economics
A Master's Degree in Economics is a postgraduate academic program, offering training in economic theory, econometrics and / or applied economics. The degree may be offered as a terminal degree or as additional preparation for doctoral study, and is sometimes offered as a professional degree...
in 1969. However he never worked as an economist.
In 1969 he was appointed head of the ANC's youth and student headquarters in Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, a post he served in for five years before being chosen as the organisation's chief representative in Egypt and the Middle East in 1973. In 1978, the ANC posted him to its Lusaka
Lusaka
Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is located in the southern part of the central plateau, at an elevation of about 1,300 metres . It has a population of about 1.7 million . It is a commercial centre as well as the centre of government, and the four main highways of Zambia head...
headquarters as national administrative secretary. In 1981 Nhlanhla became a member of the ANC national executive committee.
In 1986, he joined the organisation's intelligence directorate after serving a three-year stint as secretary to the political military council. The following year he became the ANC's intelligence chief, in which capacity, two years later, he was a member of the ANC group headed by 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...
which made contact with South Africa's then-apartheid government.
In 1995, Nhlanhla became Deputy Minister in the Justice Ministry, responsible for intelligence affairs. 1999 Nhlanhla was appointed by President Mbeki as Minister of Intelligence.
Death
Joe Nhlanhla, aged 71, died at the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, after more than one month in a comatose state. No further details of his death were made public.External links
- http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-07-02-former-intelligence-minister-joe-nhlanhla-dies
- http://www.alexandra.co.za/photogallery/heritage/community/community.htm