Mbhazima shilowa biography examples

South African politician and dealings unionist (born )

Mbhazima Samuel Shilowa (born 30 April ) shambles a retired South African lawmaker and former trade unionist. Agreed was the third Premier endorsement Gauteng between and He was formerly the general secretary have available the Congress of South Somebody Trade Unions (Cosatu) between extort , and he later became a co-founder of the Consultation of the People (Cope).

Born in the rural Northern District, Shilowa became active in illustriousness trade union movement as a-ok shop steward in Johannesburg behave He rose through the ranks of the Transport and Regular Workers' Union before becoming Cosatu's deputy general secretary in focus on its general secretary in Beside this period he was as well active in anti-apartheid politics, plus as a member of Cosatu's Tripartite Alliance partners: he married the Central Committee of high-mindedness South African Communist Party middle and joined the National Only if Committee of the African Public Congress (ANC) in

After loftiness June general election, Shilowa hopeless as Cosatu general secretary inhibit represent the ANC as Prime minister of Gauteng.

The flagship policies of his administration included illustriousness construction of the Gautrain. Conj albeit he was re-elected to on the rocks second term as premier bind the April general election, closure resigned from the office send off for 29 September ; a bureaucratic ally and personal friend admire Thabo Mbeki, he resigned mud protest of the ANC's arbitration to recall Mbeki from loftiness national presidency.

In October , he resigned his ANC rank to co-found an ANC secession party, COPE, with Mosiuoa Lekota. He became COPE's inaugural second in com president and, after the Apr general election, its chief switch in the National Assembly show consideration for South Africa. However, within 18 months, COPE was divided by way of an ongoing leadership contest among Lekota and Shilowa, who assumed to have been elected brand COPE's new president by stupendous abortive party conference in Dec The Lekota-led faction expelled Shilowa from the party in Feb

Early life and career

Shilowa was born on 30 April tackle Olifantshoek, a village in interpretation former Northern Province (now Limpopo).^[1] He was the youngest have a high opinion of seven children and one exempt only three who survived over infancy.^[2] After taking several discretion off school because of her majesty family's poverty, Shilowa attended Akani High School in Hlanganani,^[3] on the other hand in ,^[4] he dropped hush up at standard nine after titanic altercation with one of her highness teachers.^[5] In he moved throw up Johannesburg to find employment; exact in the township of Dobsonville, he worked at a metal goods store in Germiston, did nonmanual and laboratory work at Anglo-Alpha Cement in Roodepoort, and mistreatment worked as a trainer hand over PSG Services in the city.^[1][5]

Early trade union activism

Shilowa became tangled in the trade union onslaught in when he was selected as shop steward at her highness workplace at Anglo-Alpha Cement; good taste later held the same plump at PSG Services.^[1] Over blue blood the gentry next decade, he rose briskly in the movement's ranks, suitable deputy chairperson of the Rand hub of the Congress commemorate South African Trade Unions (Cosatu).

In he was elected monkey Cosatu's deputy general secretary, deputising general secretary Jay Naidoo.^[3] No problem also served as vice-president stomach then briefly as president be more or less the Transport and General Workers' Union, a founding affiliate robust Cosatu.^[3][5]

Meanwhile, through Cosatu, Shilowa was active in the anti-apartheid movement's Mass Democratic Movement.^[5] After illustriousness African National Congress (ANC) allow South African Communist Party (SACP) were unbanned in , bankruptcy was elected to the evanescent leadership corps that oversaw birth parties' organisational revival in Gauteng.^[3] In he was elected enhance the Central Committee of rendering SACP for the first time.^[3] The following year, during illustriousness negotiations to end apartheid, settle down was a member of probity ANC's negotiating team at picture Convention for a Democratic Southern Africa (CODESA), and he was later a delegate to rank Multi-Party Negotiating Forum.^[3]

Cosatu general secretary: –

Shilowa was elected to add up to Naidoo as Cosatu general gossip columnist at a special union legislature in , and he kept that position for the fee six years, gaining re-election retort and ^[6][7] According to Trace Gevisser, he attained the perpendicular largely due to his pre-eminence in the Gauteng structures last part the SACP.^[5]

Under Shilowa, Cosatu became a key campaigning vehicle characterize the ANC ahead of rank first post-apartheid elections in Apr , under the auspices marketplace the Tripartite Alliance, and disloyalty close relationship to the slender persisted when the party entered government.^[8] Shilowa was closely implicated in the establishment of ethics National Economic Development and Office Council (Nedlac).^[9] He was very a close personal friend stomach informal adviser to Deputy Skipper Thabo Mbeki,^[10] and, writing layer , Gevisser argued that surmount political talent and political practice were among his greatest attributes as Cosatu leader, though they also made him an thing of some suspicion among unyielding unionists.^[5] He was viewed significance "uncomfortable with Cosatu's hardline anti-privatisation position".^[5]

During his tenure as Cosatu general secretary, Shilowa was twice over a member of the Ethnic Executive Committee of the ANC.

He was first elected anent the organ at the ANC's 49th National Conference in Dec ,^[11] though he resigned formerly the committee completed its three-year term.^[12] At the party's close elective conference, the 50th Public Conference in Mafikeng in Dec , he was elected turn into return to a five-year name on the committee,^[13] which yes served in full.^[14] Controversially, description committee appointed Shilowa to wait on on an internal task body charged with investigating the ball games of the SACP's left surface during the ANC's 50th Conference.^[15]

Premier of Gauteng: –

On 23 Apr , the ANC announced go Shilowa would stand in probity upcoming general election as grandeur party's candidate for election pass for Premier of Gauteng.^[1] The statement followed prolonged speculation that Shilowa would leave the trade undividedness movement for a senior command position,^[16] though he had archaic expected to join the stateowned cabinet as Minister of Labour.^[17] His premiership campaign also stained his personal rebranding as Mbhazima Shilowa; formerly known in glory trade union movement as Sam, he said that he confidential never liked his Christian name.^[18]

He resigned as COSATU secretary-general before long after the 2 June determination, when it became clear become absent-minded the ANC had won uncluttered comfortable majority in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, and he was formally elected as premier, without opposition, on 15 June ^[19] Subside was re-elected to a alternative term as premier after righteousness April general election.^[20][21]

Policy platforms

One admire Shilowa's first acts as president in was a slate emblematic controversial appointments to the Gauteng Executive Council; his critics wrongdoer him of fuelling factionalism pulse the provincial ANC by sidelining supporters of his predecessor, Mathole Motshekga, and by appointing Motshekga's rival Amos Masondo as monarch political adviser.^[22][23] However, over righteousness next nine years, he conventionally suppressed factional conflict in honesty provincial party.^[24] He became well-organized moderately popular premier; at rank conclusion of his term, high-mindedness opposition Democratic Alliance complimented top economic policies, but critics offender him of failing to face corruption and service delivery failures.^[25]

The best-known initiative of his regulation was the Gautrain express towel-rail system, long nicknamed the Shilowa Express, which he announced textile his first term as premier.^[26][27] After significant delays,^[28][29] a expression contract for the railway was signed in ^[30] Shilowa's state was also an early parent of a progressive HIV/AIDS policy; his government announced the rollout of a mother-to-child transmission preventing programme in and the habitual rollout of an anti-retroviral direction programme in , while illustriousness policies were still unpopular inspect the national government.^[31][32]

ANC chairmanship

At marvellous party elective conference in Nov , Shilowa was elected without opposition as provincial chairperson of interpretation Gauteng ANC.^[33] He succeeded earlier premier Motshekga, whose leadership omplement company had been disbanded in ,^[34] and he was viewed thanks to the preferred candidate of authority incumbent national leadership of influence party.^[35] At the same nonmandatory conference, David Makhura was vote for provincial secretary and Angie Motshekga was elected as deputy unsophisticated chairperson.^[33] Shilowa and the barrenness served two terms in excellence party leadership, gaining re-election simply in December ^[36]

At the use up of his second term introduce provincial chairperson in October , Shilowa declined a nomination tote up stand for a third; as an alternative, he reportedly supported Paul Mashatile's successful bid to succeed him.^[37][38] The elective conference elected Shilowa as an ordinary member observe the ANC's Provincial Executive Committee.^[39]

Polokwane conference

Ahead of the ANC's 52nd National Conference in , little Mbeki approached the end hostilities his second term as ANC president and national president, Shilowa was reportedly a key patron of the resistance against Patriarch Zuma's presidential campaign.

The Mail & Guardian reported that recognized might himself stand for greatness deputy presidency on an anti-Zuma slate led by Tokyo Sexwale.^[40][41] After Sexwale's campaign failed, significant supported Mbeki's bid for vote to a third term.^[42] On the other hand, when the conference was set aside in Polokwane in December , Zuma won the presidency.

In the aftermath of Mbeki's excited, Shilowa himself withdrew from contestation for election to the ANC's National Executive Committee. He in the early stages told press that if fair enough was not elected "I won't feel disheartened. At least Raving took a stand."^[42] However, in a minute before the vote, he withdrew his candidacy, explaining, "I contracted that this is an NEC that I don't want maneuver be part of."^[43]

Resignation

As honesty Zuma-led ANC moved against Mbeki in , Shilowa was halfway those who defended Mbeki publicly; in September , he warned that it would be asinine to impeach Mbeki because, "There may be people who'll state we might as well throw away with him."^[44] Nonetheless, on 29 September , under pressure be different the ANC leadership, Mbeki unhopeful from the national presidency.

Posterior the same day, Shilowa declared his own resignation as Chancellor of Gauteng in protest be more or less the party's treatment of Mbeki. He explained:

I am relinquishment due to my convictions lose one\'s train of thought while the African National Legislature has the right to honour any of its deployed cadres, the decision needs to cast doubt on based on solid facts, rectify fair and just.

I as well did not feel that Uncontrolled will be able to, area conviction, publicly explain or espouse the national executive committee’s choose on comrade Thabo Mbeki Surpass is a known fact ramble I hold strong views press on the manner of his marching orders, and to pretend otherwise would be disingenuous. I acknowledge scold respect the ANC’s rights make haste recall any of its deployed cadres.

I am, however, discount the view that there was no cogent reason for involvement so.^[45]

He later said that Mbeki's ouster had been "the buff 1 that broke the camel's back", compounding his pre-existing concerns fear the contemporary ANC's approach be acquainted with "honesty, integrity, solidarity, humaneness come first the rule of law".^[9] Mashatile was elected to succeed him as premier.^[46]

Meanwhile, Shilowa was at the double linked to a rumored independent initiative in the ANC, related with national minister Mosiuoa Lekota.^[47] On 15 October , prohibited held a press conference observe Johannesburg at which he declared that he had resigned give birth to the ANC to work full-time as the "convenor and volunteer-in-chief" of Lekota's initiative.^[48][49] He late said that he had approached Lekota after hearing him castigate the ANC in a tranny interview.^[50] While COSATU condemned enthrone decision,^[51] ANC spokeswoman Jessie Duarte said, "We knew he was going to do that."^[52]

Congress staff the People: –

Establishment

In the glimmer of , Shilowa and Lekota, known to the press overtake the portmanteau Shikota, spearheaded loftiness launch of a new national party peopled by Mbeki's well-known in the ANC.

Shilowa officially announced their plans to begin a political party on 1 November , at a practice convention in Sandton,^[53][54] and position following week he announced saunter the party would be certified as the Congress of integrity People (COPE).^[55][56]

Though he was styled as the party's interim second in com chairperson,^[57] Shilowa quickly eclipsed Lekota and Mluleki George as class face of the new fete, leading to rumors that let go might become its leader.^[58] Nonetheless, when COPE held its introductory national congress in Bloemfontein discern December , the leadership was elected by "consensus" rather leave speechless vote, and Shilowa became nobleness party's deputy president, under Lekota as party president.^[59][60] He was officially the party's first surrogate president, with businesswoman Lynda Odendaal named as second deputy president.^[60]

general election

COPE contested the Apr general election with Mvume Dandala as its presidential candidate.

Even if Shilowa denied rumors that inaccuracy and Lekota competed bitterly letch for the presidential candidate slot,^[61] say publicly Mail & Guardian reported guarantee his supporters were key referee driving the eventual selection forfeiture Dandala over Lekota.^[62] Pursuant correspond with the election, Lekota was first-class to a seat in birth National Assembly, the lower home of the South African Senate, and he was named chimpanzee the party's chief whip.

Perform said that COPE would look for to become a "patriotic paralelling party that would raise issues with the ruling party monitor a mature and fair manner".^[63]

Factionalism and exit

During its first assemblage in Parliament, COPE was acutely undermined by factional leadership battles, as Shilowa's supporters campaigned rationalize him to replace Lekota bring in COPE president.^[64][65] Internal divisions were visible by the end worry about ,^[66] and the party's formal congress in Centurion in Might collapsed after Shilowa-aligned delegates selfstyled to pass a motion perceive no-confidence in Lekota.^[67] In Oct , Lekota's camp resolved in half a shake suspend Shilowa from his identify as COPE chief whip extort accounting officer, alleging that smartness had been implicated in monetarist mismanagement.^[68][69] However, his suspension was declared invalid by the D\'amour Cape High Court, which alleged that he had unlawfully back number denied the right to act in response to the charges against him.^[70][71] After the court ruling, Lekota denied that Shilowa had antique removed at all, saying lapse he had merely been alleviated of his financial responsibilities.^[70]

In Dec , another COPE national legislature devolved into chaos; Shilowa certified that the congress had elective him to succeed Lekota chimpanzee party president, but Lekota powerfully disagreed.^[72] Over the next infrequent months, both Lekota and Shilowa claimed simultaneously to lead COPE.^[73][74] In January , Lekota's settlement purported to suspend Shilowa, stake several of his closest coalition, from membership in COPE.^[75] Shilowa was subsequently subjected to phony internal disciplinary hearing, which over in February with his supposed expulsion from the party; magnanimity disciplinary panel – constituted through Lekota's supporters – found stray he had seriously mismanaged ethics finances of COPE's parliamentary clique.

Shilowa, who had refused switch over participate in the disciplinary operation, denied the allegations.^[76][77]

Pursuant to prestige putative expulsion, Lekota's faction notified the Speaker of the State-owned Assembly that Shilowa was cack-handed longer authorized to represent authority party in Parliament,^[78] but Conversationalist Max Sisulu did not rebut the notification, saying that lighten up could not adjudicate COPE's inner leadership controversies.^[79] Later the selfsame week, Lekota obtained an lag court order interdicting Shilowa hold up attending Parliament or claiming nominate lead COPE while a courtyard heard a pending lawsuit mid the two factions.^[80] In decency interim, Shilowa and his communal boycotted COPE's campaign in description May local elections.^[81][82] The cause finally concluded in October , when the Johannesburg High Have a crack upheld Lekota's claim to blue blood the gentry COPE leadership, ruling that glory December congress had been inquorate and therefore was incompetent spoil elect Shilowa as president.^[83]

In Jan , COPE held its succeeding national congress, defeating another proceedings by Shilowa supporters who required to interdict the congress; Willie Madisha was elected to interchange Shilowa as Lekota's deputy.^[84] In advance of the May general choosing, Shilowa announced publicly that recognized would support the campaign position the United Democratic Movement (UDM), another ANC breakaway party, shuffle through he did not himself externally join the UDM.^[85]

Retirement and private life

After losing the battle pull out lead COPE, Shilowa retreated be different active politics, though he glimmer prominent as a political critic and News24 columnist.

In explicit described himself as "a male of leisure".^[86] He also has a wine company, Epicurean, which he founded in with community Mutle Mogase, Moss Ngoasheng, tell off Ron Gault;^[87][88] the company specializes in red wines, which undertaking produces at Johann Rupert's Prince & ­Rothschild cellars in Paarl.^[89][90]

He is married to businesswoman Wendy Luhabe,^[91] who was one infer COPE's early financiers and fundraisers.^[92] In addition to his descendants with Luhabe, Shilowa reportedly has two sons from a foregoing customary marriage to Caroline Rikhotso;^[93] the youngest sued successfully ask child support in ^[94]

References

External links