Oupa Gqozo was sent away at a young age to stay with a relative living in Witgatboom in Northern Transvaal.
15 Facts About Oupa Gqozo
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Oupa Gqozo returned to Kroonstad where he attended the Phomolong Junior and Bodibeng Senior High School.
3.
Oupa Gqozo dropped out of school in 1972 and went to work as a prison officer at Kroonstad prison.
4.
Oupa Gqozo joined the South African Defence Force and worked as a soldier and chief clerk of 21 Battalion based in Lenasia, Johannesburg.
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Oupa Gqozo was moved from the SADF to the CDF as part of the officer corps.
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Oupa Gqozo was arrested but later in 1986 he escaped from prison and made his way to nearby Transkei.
7.
Brigadier Oupa Gqozo returned to Ciskei as Chief of Staff Intelligence during December 1989.
8.
In January 1990, Oupa Gqozo completed his term of duty and was honoured with the Order of Good Hope.
9.
On 4 March 1990, Oupa Gqozo staged his own coup in Ciskei in the absence of Lennox Sebe who was on state visit to Hong Kong.
10.
In mid-1991, Oupa Gqozo formed the African Democratic Movement to counter the influence of the African National Congress in the region.
11.
In March 1992, Oupa Gqozo accused the African National Congress of planning to remove him from power in Ciskei.
12.
On 22 March 1994, Oupa Gqozo contacted the South African Foreign Minister Pik Botha and resigned as leader of Ciskei.
13.
In 2001, Oupa Gqozo sustained bullet wounds to his head and back while trying to protect traditional healer Keke "Gonondo" Mama in Middledrift.
14.
Oupa Gqozo was hospitalised again after burning his hands and face.
15.
Oupa Gqozo is married to Corinthian Nomziwakhe and they have four children.