Siyabonga Cwele facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Siyabonga Cwele
Cwele in September 2018
South African Ambassador to China
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 December 2020
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Preceded by	Dolana Msimang
Minister of Home Affairs
In office 22 November 2018 – 29 May 2019
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Deputy	Fatima Chohan
Preceded by	Malusi Gigaba
Succeeded by	Aaron Motsoaledi
Prior cabinet offices 2008–2018 Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services In office 25 May 2014 – 22 November 2018 President Jacob Zuma Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy Hlengiwe Mkhize Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Position abolished Minister of State Security In office 11 May 2009 – 25 May 2014 President Jacob Zuma Preceded by Himself (for Intelligence) Succeeded by David Mahlobo Minister of Intelligence Services In office 25 September 2008 – 10 May 2009 President Kgalema Motlanthe Preceded by Ronnie Kasrils Succeeded by Himself (for State Security)
Legislative offices 1994–2019 Member of the National Assembly In office 14 June 1999 – 3 June 2019 Constituency KwaZulu-Natal (1999–2009) Permanent Delegate to the National Council of Provinces Assembly Member for KwaZulu-Natal In office 9 May 1994 – June 1999
Personal details
Born	Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele (1958-09-03) 3 September 1958 (age 66)
Citizenship	South Africa
Political party	African National Congress
Spouse	Sheryl Cwele ​ ​ (m. 1985; div. 2011)​
Alma mater	University of KwaZulu-Natal (MBChB) Stellenbosch University (MPhil)

Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele (born 3 September 1958) is a South African politician. He served in the government's cabinet from 2008 to 2019. His last role was Minister of Home Affairs. In 2020, he became the South African Ambassador to China.

Mr Cwele is a member of the African National Congress (ANC). He was a part of Parliament from 1994 to 2019. Before becoming a politician, he trained as a medical doctor.

Early Life and Education

Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele was born on 3 September 1958. He studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In 1984, he earned his medical degree (MBChB). Later, he completed a master's degree (MPhil) in economic policy. This was at the Stellenbosch University.

Starting in Politics

From 1984 to 1990, Mr Cwele worked secretly for the African National Congress (ANC). At that time, the ANC was not allowed to operate by the apartheid government. When the ANC was allowed again in 1990, he joined its first committee in KwaZulu-Natal. He stayed on this committee for more than 20 years.

Working in Parliament

In April 1994, South Africa held its first election where everyone could vote. Mr Cwele was chosen to represent the ANC in the Senate of South Africa. This group was later called the National Council of Provinces. He represented the KwaZulu-Natal area.

After one term, he was elected to the National Assembly in 1999. This is the main part of Parliament. From 2004, he led the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence. This committee looks after intelligence services.

Important Government Jobs

Minister of State Security

In September 2008, President Kgalema Motlanthe chose Mr Cwele for his government. He became the Minister of Intelligence. In 2009, President Jacob Zuma changed the name of this job. It became the Minister of State Security. This was to match the new State Security Agency.

During his time as Minister, Mr Cwele was elected to the ANC's National Executive Committee. This is a very important group within the ANC.

Later, a special investigation called the Zondo Commission looked into government activities. The commission found that Mr Cwele had made it difficult for some investigations to continue. He denied these claims. However, the final report said he had stopped investigations to protect the interests of the President.

Minister of Telecommunications

Cwele with Houlin Zhao at ITU Telecom World, 10 September 2018

In the 2014 general election, Mr Cwele was re-elected to Parliament. President Zuma then gave him a new job. He became the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services. This new ministry was created to focus on phones, internet, and postal services.

When President Cyril Ramaphosa took over in 2018, Mr Cwele kept his job.

Minister of Home Affairs

On 22 November 2018, President Ramaphosa changed some government roles. Mr Cwele was appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs. This department handles things like identity documents and passports. His old job was combined with another ministry.

After the 2019 general election, Mr Cwele was not chosen for the new government. He then left his seat in Parliament.

Cwele at ITU Telecom World, 11 September 2018

Ambassador to China

After leaving Parliament, President Ramaphosa chose Mr Cwele for a new role. He became the South African Ambassador to China. He arrived in Beijing in December 2020. He officially started his job on 23 December.

Personal Life

In 1985, Siyabonga Cwele married Sheryl Cwele. They had four children together. Their marriage ended in divorce in August 2011. Mr Cwele stated in court papers that they had been living apart since 2000.