Aziz Pahad facts for kids

Aziz Goolam Hoosein Pahad (born 25 December 1940 – died 27 September 2023) was an important South African politician. He was also an activist who worked against apartheid, which was a system of unfair racial separation. From 1994 to 2008, he served as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also a member of the National Executive Committee for the African National Congress (ANC) from 1985 to 2007. The ANC is a major political party in South Africa.

Early Life and Activism

Aziz Pahad was born on 25 December 1940 in a town called Schweizer-Reneke. His family moved to Johannesburg in 1945. His parents, Amina and Goolam Pahad, were activists too. They worked with the Transvaal Indian Congress. His older brother, Essop, also became an activist.

Aziz finished high school in 1959. Then, in 1963, he earned a degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. He studied sociology and Afrikaans.

While he was a student, Pahad was very active in the movement against apartheid. He worked with the Transvaal Indian Congress. In 1963, he received a "banning order." This order limited where he could go and what public activities he could do. He was arrested several times because of his activism. In 1964, after a big court case called the Rivonia Trial, Aziz and his brother Essop left South Africa. They went into exile, meaning they lived outside their home country.

Life in Exile: 1964–1990

During his time in exile, Aziz Pahad lived mostly in London, England. He also spent some time in Angola and Zimbabwe. In 1966, he earned a diploma from University College London. In 1968, he completed a Master's degree in international relations from the University of Sussex.

From 1966, Pahad worked full-time for the exiled African National Congress (ANC). He helped to grow the Anti-Apartheid Movement in the United Kingdom and Europe. This movement worked to end apartheid in South Africa. In 1985, at an ANC meeting in Kabwe, Zambia, he was elected to the party's National Executive Committee for the first time. This committee is a very important leadership group within the ANC.

In 1990, Aziz Pahad returned to South Africa. This was during the time when leaders were having discussions to end apartheid. The next year, he became the deputy head of the ANC's Department of International Affairs. He worked under Alfred Nzo. He also helped with the National Peace Executive Committee during these important talks. He was part of a special committee on foreign affairs during the change to a new government in 1994.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs: 1994–2008

Working with President Mandela

In 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections after apartheid. Aziz Pahad was elected to represent the ANC in the new National Assembly. This is like the country's parliament.

The new President, Nelson Mandela, chose Pahad to be the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He worked alongside Minister Alfred Nzo. During this time, Pahad was often the public face of the Ministry. He helped represent South Africa to other countries.

In 1997, there was a news report about a mysterious flash over the Indian Ocean in 1979. A newspaper quoted Pahad as saying it was a nuclear test. However, Pahad later said he was misquoted. He explained that he was only repeating rumors that had been around for many years.

Working with President Mbeki

Pahad was re-elected to the National Assembly in the 1999 and 2004 elections. President Thabo Mbeki, who took over from Mandela, kept Pahad as Deputy Minister for both of his terms. Mbeki and the Pahad brothers were old friends from their time in exile.

Aziz Pahad's role in the government grew under President Mbeki. He played a key part in South Africa's efforts to prevent a war in Iraq in 2003. In 2004, he represented South Africa at the International Court of Justice. South Africa strongly argued against the building of the Israeli West Bank barrier. He told the court that this wall separated many Palestinians from their families and homes.

In Africa, Pahad worked hard to bring peace to countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Angola. He also visited Saudi Arabia in 2006 to improve relations between the two countries.

Resignation

In December 2007, President Mbeki lost his bid to be re-elected as ANC president. Aziz Pahad also did not get enough votes to stay on the ANC's National Executive Committee.

In September 2008, Mbeki announced he would resign as national President. After this, Aziz Pahad and several other ministers also resigned on 23 September.

Later, when Kgalema Motlanthe became President, it was announced that Pahad would be reappointed. However, Pahad said this was a mistake and that he had declined the offer. He also resigned from Parliament.

Retirement

In 2014, Aziz Pahad published a book about his life called Insurgent Diplomat. He continued to be involved in South African foreign policy. President Jacob Zuma appointed him as an envoy (a special representative) to Israel and Palestine in July 2014.

Under President Cyril Ramaphosa, Pahad led a group that reviewed South Africa's foreign policy. This group suggested that South Africa should play a more active leadership role in global affairs.

Personal Life and Death

Aziz Pahad married Sandra Black-Pahad in 1994. They had children.

Aziz Pahad passed away on 27 September 2023. He was 82 years old. His brothers, Junaid and Essop, had also passed away just two months before him.

See also

• History of the African National Congress
• Israel–South Africa relations