MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: TOKYO MOSIMA GABRIEL SEXWALE

Tokyo Sexwale is the 1^st Minister of Human Settlements, following the changes made to Cabinet portfolios after the 2009 general elections. Previously the Premier of Gauteng Province in the first democratic government, he was appointed to his current position in May 2009.

Academic Qualifications

Matriculated at Orlando West High School (1973)

Certificate in Business Studies at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland

B.Comm studies commenced but not completed during his imprisonment at Robben Island Maximum Security Prison

Political History

A member of the Black Consciousness Movement (late 1960’s and early 1970’s)

Joined the African National Congress (ANC) underground movement (1970’s)

Active member of the ANC underground movement in Swaziland

Left for exile and underwent Officers’ Military Training in the Soviet Union, specialising in Army Engineering (1975)

Returned to South Africa and was arrested after a skirmish with the South African Security Forces and, together with 11 others, charged with “Terrorism” and “Conspiracy” to overthrow the Apartheid Government (1976) 

Convicted and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment at Robben Island Maximum Security Prison (1978)

Served 13 years at Robben Island Maximum Security Prison until his release (June 1990)

Released from prison and, returned to Johannesburg to serve as the Head of the Public Liaison Department of the ANC Headquarters.  Subsequently appointed Head of Special Projects, under Military Headquarters (1990)

Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC – Gauteng Province (1990 - 1998)

Elected Chairperson of Gauteng Province (1991- 1997)

Ex-officio member of the ANC National Executive Committee (1991 – 1997)

Member of the Provincial Legislature (1994 – 1998)

Elected the 1^st Premier of Gauteng Province following the 1^st democratic elections of South Africa (1994)

Elected to the National Executive Committee of the ANC at the organisation's 52^nd national conference in Polokwane (2007)

Business background

Left public office for the corporate sector (1998)

Established Mvelaphanda Holdings (1998)

Established the mining company Mvelaphanda Resources and the Mvelaphanda Group, a diverse industrial services company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Resigned from his executive business positions upon his appointment as a Member of Parliament and as Minister of Human Settlements (May 2009)

Awards

Legion d Honour – France

Doctorate in Technology – University of Nottingham (UK)

Doctorate in Business Administration –De Montfort University UK

Doctorate in Humane Letters –Chicago State University, USA

Order of the Freedom of Havana - Cuba

Paul Harris Fellow-Rotary International

Cross-of-Valour (Ruby Class) – South Africa

Freedom of Calgary –Canada

Reach and Teach Leadership Award - United States of America

Other Positions

Trustee of the Sexwale Family Foundation

Trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Honorary Consul General of Finland in South Africa

Chairman of Makana Trust for Ex-Political Prisoners

Co-president of the South Africa/Russian Business, Technological and Cultural Association

Vice President of the South African/Japanese Business Forum

Honorary Colonel of the South African Airforce

Member of FIFA World Cup 2010 Local Organizing Committee in South Africa

Member of the JP Morgan International Advisory Council

Member of the Brookings Institution

South African seat-holder for A1 Grand Prix

He has written a number of political and economic articles, as well as poetry.