Minister of Enviromental Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of South Africa.
Member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) (1991).
Academic Qualifications
Completed school education at the Lenasia State Indian High School (1974).
Enrolled at the University of Durban-Westville for a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Mathematics and Physics.
Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities
Served on the University branch executive of the South African Students' Organisations (SASO) before its banning in 1977.
Participated in the formation of Civic Asssociations, Residents' Associations, Township Youth Groups and Trade Unions.
Taught for a year in Chatsworth, Durban (1979) and thereafter for two years in Johannesburg. Involved in campaigns of the Natal Indian Congress, such as the campaign against election for Local Affairs Committee and the Time To Learn tuition programme during this time.
Detained for two weeks during the school boycotts (1990).
Concentrated his efforts on the launch of the Anti-South African Indian Congress (1983) and the establishment of the United Democratic Front (UDF) under extremely difficult conditions and severe repression.
Served on the National Executive (NEC) of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Detained for a period of approximatetly 18 months (between 1987 and September 1988). Escaped together with Murphy Morobe and Vusi Khanyile and sought refuge in the Johannesburg Consulate of the United States of America where they spent five weeks before returning to open society.
Continued his work as leader of the Mass Democratic (MDM) and played a pivotal role in planning the defiance campaign which led to detention for six weeks in terms of emergency regulations (August 1989). Released under restriction orders.
Fortwith focused on organising the Conference for a Democratic Future which brought together a wide range of Anti-Apartheid groupings which adopted guidelines for the transitional and constitutional process (December 1989).
Served on the National Reception Committee established to organise the post-release programmes for imprisoned African National Congress (ANC) leaders (1989 - 1990).
Seconded to the ANC by the UDF after the unbanning of the ANC in February 1990.
Representative of the ANC's negotiating team since the launch of Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) (December 1991).
Centrally involved in the negotiations process leading up to the fisrt democratic elections on 26, 27 and 28 April 1994.
Member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC (1991).
Deputy Minister for Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development of the Republic South African (1 July 1996 - 16 June 1999).
Minister for Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development of the Republic of South African (1 July 1996 - 16 June 1999).
Source: Ministry of Enviromental Affairs and Tourism
