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.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,192 |
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.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,192 |
Charles Nqakula served as Minister for Safety and Security from May 2002 to September 2008.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,193 |
Charles Nqakula attended primary school at Cradock and secondary school at Lovedale, matriculating in 1963.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,194 |
Charles Nqakula worked as a hotel waiter and wine steward, after which he became a clerk in the Department of Bantu Education.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,195 |
In 1966, Charles Nqakula started as a journalist with the Midland News, a regional weekly newspaper in Cradock.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,196 |
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.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,197 |
Charles Nqakula became a member of the Union of Black Journalists and was elected vice-president of the union in 1976.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,198 |
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.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,199 |
Charles Nqakula left South Africa in 1984 travelling to Lesotho, Tanzania and Zambia.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,200 |
Charles Nqakula underwent military training in Angola and joined MK the armed wing of the ANC.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,201 |
Charles Nqakula travelled to the Soviet Union and East Germany for further military training.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,202 |
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.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,203 |
Charles Nqakula served on the interim leadership group of the SACP, as convenor of its National Organising Committee.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,204 |
Charles Nqakula was a member of its Political Committee and served on the SACP Secretariat.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,205 |
Charles Nqakula was elected SACP Deputy Secretary-General in 1991 and became Secretary-General following the assassination of Chris Hani in April 1993.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,206 |
Charles Nqakula later served as Parliamentary Counsellor to the President.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,207 |
On 24 January 2001 Charles Nqakula was appointed as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, becoming Minister of Safety and Security on 7 May 2002.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,208 |
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.
FactSnippet No. 2,306,209 |