Personal

• Date of Birth: 27 December 1944.
• Marital Status: Married
• Pastimes: Watching sport , reading, played rugby, lawn tennis, cricket and ballroom champion.

Current Positions

• Minister of Sport and Recreation of the Republic of South Africa since 29 April 2004.
• Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape since 1996.
• Member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC since 1990.

Academic Qualifications

• Matriculated from Newell High School in Port Elizabeth.
• Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Fort Hare (1971).
• Bachelor of Theology degree from University of Fort Hare (1974).
• Bachelor of Theology honours degree from University of Fort Hare (1975).
• Masters degree in Theology from University of Fort Hare (1979).
• Postgraduate Diploma in Technology from Tubingen in Germany (1981).
• Masters of Arts degree from Princeton University in United States of America (1983).
• Awarded D.Phil (hc) by University of Port Elizabeth (2000).

Career/Memberships/Positions/Other Activities

• Machine Operator at Textile factory in Port Elizabeth (1965 - 1968).
• Part time Tutor with African Independent Churches Association Seminary (1971- 1972).
• Senior lecturer in Theology and Philosophy of Religion at University of Fort Hare (1973 - 1986).
• Minister of the Presbyterian Church of South Africa since 1975.
• Led successful protests and prevented a planned tour by New Zealand's All Blacks in 1984.
• He was convicted under the then Ciskeian Internal Security Act and subsequently sentenced to 11 years imprisonment (1987).
• Senior lecturer in Theology and Acting Head of the department at University of Trankei (1991).
• Regional Secretary and member of the National Executive Committee of UDF (1983 - 1986).
• Sports Administrator specialising in rugby, cricket and netball administration (1965 - 1994).
• Coach of rugby specialising in junior and club rugby (1974 - 1994).
• Member of various boards and Councils of(NGOs), Technikons and Universities since 1991.
• Regional Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) (1990 - 1991).
• Chairperson: Area Political Committee (Military Combat Work of the ANC) (1979 - 1986)
• Member of the ANC internal Leadership core (1990 - 1991).
• Member of the Governing Council of the University of Fort Hare since 1991.
• Director of Public Relations and Development of the University of Fort Hare (1992 - 1994).
• Member of Parliament (1994 - 1996).
• Treasurer General of the ANC ( 1995 - 1997).
• Premier of the Eastern Cape (1997 - 2004).
• Provincial National sports Administrator (1969 - 1994).