19 Facts About Charles Nqakula

Charles Nqakula was born on 13 September 1942 and is a South African politician who served as Minister of Defence from September 2008 to 2009.

Charles Nqakula served as Minister for Safety and Security from May 2002 to September 2008.

Charles Nqakula attended primary school in Cradock and secondary school in Lovedale, matriculating in 1963.

Charles Nqakula worked as a hotel waiter and wine steward, after which he became a clerk in the Department of Bantu Education.

In 1966, Charles Nqakula started as a journalist with the Midland News, a regional weekly newspaper in Cradock.

Charles Nqakula was unbanned the following year but, because his village had been redesignated as part of the Ciskei independent homeland, he was unable to re-enter South African territory and was declared a prohibited immigrant.

Charles Nqakula became a member of the Union of Black Journalists and was elected vice-president of the union in 1976.

Charles Nqakula was elected publicity secretary of the fledgling United Democratic Front in 1983, and was arrested the same year in East London for being in South Africa without a visa.

Charles Nqakula left South Africa in 1984 travelling to Lesotho, Tanzania and Zambia.

Charles Nqakula underwent military training in Angola and joined MK the armed wing of the ANC.

Charles Nqakula travelled to the Soviet Union and East Germany for further military training.

Charles Nqakula infiltrated South Africa on his return as one of the commanders of Operation Vula, with a mission to build viable underground and military structures.

Charles Nqakula served on the interim leadership group of the SACP, as convenor of its National Organising Committee.

Charles Nqakula was a member of its Political Committee and served on the SACP Secretariat.

Charles Nqakula was elected SACP Deputy Secretary-General in 1991 and became Secretary-General following the assassination of Chris Hani in April 1993.

Charles Nqakula later served as Parliamentary Counsellor to the President.

On 24 January 2001 Charles Nqakula was appointed as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, becoming Minister of Safety and Security on 7 May 2002.

Charles Nqakula failed to realise the consequence of his statement, as many people around the world were making travel arrangements for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Charles Nqakula was again criticized while he was in Burundi, promoting peace and democracy, while there was a spate of violent crime in Gauteng.