George Phadagi served as the first mayor of Thohoyandou from 1994 to 1999, then member of the National Parliament from 2002 to 2008 and towards the end of his life was MEC of Public Works and MEC of Safety Security and Liaison in 2010 to 2011 and was political consultant to then Premier of Limpopo Cassel Mathale when he died in 2012.
21 Facts About George Phadagi
1.
2.
George Phadagi started school in Tswinga Primary School and went to Lwamondo Secondary School to do Standard 6 to Standard 8.
3.
George Phadagi then went to Mphaphuli Secondary School, where he did Standard 9 and Standard 10, and that is where he started to be involved in politics.
4.
George Phadagi was the organiser of the South African Student Movement while at this school.
5.
George Phadagi went to train as a teacher at the Venda College of Education and completed his diploma in 1977.
6.
George Phadagi organised a bus that transported ANC members to the funeral of the late Comrade Steve Biko in 1977.
7.
George Phadagi was one of the leaders of the historical Venda March that took place in 1977.
8.
George Phadagi worked as a teacher at Holy Trinity School in Atteridgeville, where he continued to be involved in politics.
9.
George Phadagi later trained as Umkhonto we Sizwe cadre together with other members of the party.
10.
George Phadagi was forced to join Tuata, a teacher union which worked cooperatively with the government at that time but was later expelled from the school because he defaulted on monthly contributions for the union.
11.
George Phadagi worked as a teacher at Wallmansthal High School.
12.
George Phadagi was arrested for his involvement in politics and was represented by Mr Dikgang Moseneke, who was a well-known attorney at that time.
13.
George Phadagi taught in Mphaphuli Secondary School, Muvhavha Secondary School, Murangoni Primary School and Guyuni Primary School.
14.
George Phadagi quit teaching and joined Metropolitan Insurance Company, where he continued to be active in politics.
15.
George Phadagi held various political leadership roles within the ANC, including as chairperson of the Far North Region of the ANC, coordinator of the Northern Transvaal Co-ordinating Committee for the United Democratic Front, Provincial Executive Committee member of the Northern Transvaal Region and as coordinator of the 1994 national elections as leader of the Sub-Regional Election Committee.
16.
George Phadagi was appointed as the chairperson of ANC's Far North branch.
17.
George Phadagi served as a councillor in Thulamela Local Municipality.
18.
George Phadagi served on the Portfolio Committee on Provincial and Local Government from 2004 to 2009.
19.
George Phadagi served in various capacities within the government, including as a Member of the Executive Council for Public Works in Limpopo and MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
20.
Towards the end of his parliamentary activities George Phadagi was involved in the development of school diaries, The Advertiser magazine and The Valley Messenger newspaper.
21.
George Phadagi had a wife Thinamaano, two sons, Siza and Thivhusiwi and two daughters Muthelo and Aiho.