Public Service and Scrutiny
An in-depth examination of a significant South African political figure, charting her career from anti-apartheid activism through key ministerial roles and the speakership, culminating in significant public scrutiny.
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Political Trajectory
Prominent Figure
Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula is a South African politician affiliated with the African National Congress (ANC). Her extensive career spans decades, encompassing roles in anti-apartheid activism, parliamentary leadership, and significant cabinet positions, including Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and Speaker of the National Assembly.
Extensive Service
Mapisa-Nqakula served as a cabinet minister from 2004 to 2021 and as Speaker of the National Assembly from August 2021 to April 2024. Her political journey reflects a deep involvement in the ANC's structure, including leadership roles within the ANC Women's League and its National Executive Committee.
Public Scrutiny
Throughout her career, Mapisa-Nqakula has faced various public and parliamentary inquiries, particularly concerning allegations of corruption and the use of state resources. These events have shaped public perception and led to significant political developments, including her eventual resignation from Parliament.
Early Life & Activism
Foundational Years
Born in Cape Town in 1956, Mapisa-Nqakula grew up in the Eastern Cape. She trained as a teacher and engaged in youth development work before leaving South Africa in 1984 to join Umkhonto we Sizwe in exile. During this period, she received military training in Angola and the Soviet Union, dedicating six years to the ANC's political and military structures.
Rebuilding the Movement
Upon returning to South Africa in 1990 following the unbanning of the ANC, she played a crucial role in rebuilding the party's internal organization. She became a national organizer for the ANC Women's League and was elected to its National Executive Committee. She later served as the league's secretary-general from 1993 to 1997.
Parliamentary Service
Entry into Governance
Mapisa-Nqakula entered the National Assembly in April 1994, following the country's first democratic general election. She served as a backbencher initially, demonstrating early engagement with legislative processes.
Intelligence Oversight
From 1996 to 2001, she chaired Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, a critical role involving oversight of sensitive national security matters. This position provided significant insight into the workings of South Africa's intelligence apparatus.
Chief Whip
In December 2001, she was appointed Chief Whip of the Majority Party, a significant leadership role within the parliamentary caucus. This position required adept management of party discipline and legislative strategy.
Minister of Home Affairs
Ministerial Ascent
In May 2002, she became Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, serving under Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Following the 2004 general election, President Thabo Mbeki appointed her as the Minister of Home Affairs.
Legislative Milestone
During her tenure, her ministry introduced the Civil Unions Act of 2006, which legalized same-sex marriage in South Africa, a landmark achievement for LGBTQ+ rights.
Departmental Challenges
The Department of Home Affairs faced significant challenges, including issues with immigration, asylum processing, and xenophobia. Reports indicated systemic chaos and backlogs, prompting criticism regarding the department's management and effectiveness under her leadership.
Minister of Correctional Services
New Portfolio
Following the 2009 general election, President Jacob Zuma appointed Mapisa-Nqakula as Minister of Correctional Services. She inherited a department reportedly in a difficult state, facing issues such as the controversial release of high-profile prisoners.
Policy Reforms
Her ministry worked on reforming the medical parole framework, introducing the Correctional Matters Amendment Act to address systemic issues. Despite the challenges, her tenure was noted for efforts to improve departmental management.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Long Tenure
Appointed in June 2012, Mapisa-Nqakula served as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans for nearly nine years, spanning the presidencies of Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa. This extended period saw her involved in numerous high-profile decisions and controversies.
Procurement Controversies
Her tenure was marked by debates surrounding the procurement of VVIP aircraft and the controversial landing of a private Gupta family jet at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in 2013. These incidents led to parliamentary questions and investigations into security breaches and the use of state resources.
COVID-19 Deployment Issues
During the COVID-19 pandemic, SANDF troops were deployed for lockdown enforcement. Reports highlighted misconduct complaints against soldiers, including the killing of Collins Khosa, leading to criticism of the ministry's oversight.
Speaker of the National Assembly
Presiding Officer
In August 2021, Mapisa-Nqakula was elected Speaker of the National Assembly, succeeding Thandi Modise. Her election followed a cabinet reshuffle where she was removed as Minister of Defence.
Parliamentary Conduct
During her tenure, she presided over significant parliamentary events, including proceedings related to the Phala Phala scandal and the 2022 Parliament fire. Her handling of disruptions during the 2023 State of the Nation Address, which involved calling security forces into the chamber, drew criticism and led to a motion of no confidence, which was ultimately defeated.
Allegations and Departure
Corruption Allegations
In April 2021, allegations surfaced that Mapisa-Nqakula had received substantial cash and gifts from an SANDF contractor. While an initial parliamentary inquiry did not proceed due to lack of evidence submission, these allegations resurfaced in March 2024.
Criminal Charges
In March 2024, reports emerged of a criminal investigation into bribery during her time as Minister of Defence. Following a raid on her home and the dismissal of her application to interdict arrest, she resigned from the National Assembly on April 3, 2024. She was subsequently arrested and charged with corruption and money laundering, released on bail, with pre-trial hearings ongoing.
Personal Life
Family Connections
Mapisa-Nqakula is married to politician Charles Nqakula. They have four sons. The family has experienced personal tragedies, including the death of one son by stabbing and another's conviction for drunk driving.
Spiritual Beliefs
She has stated that she is psychic and a traditional healer, reflecting a dimension of her personal identity beyond her political career.
Business Affiliations
Mapisa-Nqakula has had business relationships, including co-founding Dyambu Holdings, which had interests in entities like the Lindela Repatriation Centre and the Gautrain consortium.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
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