Zola Skweyiya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zola Sidney Themba Skweyiya
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| South African High Commissioner to the United Kingdom | |
| In office September 2009 – February 2014 |
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| President | Jacob Zuma |
| Preceded by | Lindiwe Mabuza |
| Succeeded by | Obed Mlaba |
| Minister of Social Development | |
| In office 1999–2009 |
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| President | Thabo Mbeki |
| Succeeded by | Edna Molewa |
| Minister of Public Service and Administration | |
| In office 1994–1999 |
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| President | Nelson Mandela |
| Succeeded by | Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 April 1942 Simon's Town, South Africa |
| Died | 11 April 2018 (aged 75) Pretoria, South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
Zola Sidney Themba Skweyiya (born 14 April 1942 – died 11 April 2018) was an important South African politician. He served as a government minister for many years. From 1994 to 1999, he was the Minister of Public Service and Administration. After that, he became the Minister of Social Development from 1999 to 2009. He was also a key member of the African National Congress (ANC).
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Early Life and Education
Zola Skweyiya was born in Simon's Town, Western Cape, South Africa, in 1942. He was the younger brother of Thembile Skweyiya. He finished high school at Lovedale College in Alice, Eastern Cape.
His interest in politics started early. He joined protests against unfair education laws known as "Bantu education." After high school, he studied at Fort Hare University. There, he became very active with the African National Congress (ANC).
When the ANC decided to start an armed fight for freedom in 1961, Zola Skweyiya joined their armed group, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). In 1963, he left South Africa. He joined other ANC members living in exile in countries like Tanzania and Zambia. He continued his studies in East Germany, where he studied law. He earned his PhD (a high-level university degree) ten years later.
Working for Change from Exile
Until 1985, Skweyiya represented the ANC at the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). This organization worked to unite African countries. Later, he returned to Lusaka to help set up the ANC's Legal and Constitutional Department.
In 1986, he helped lead the ANC's committee that wrote new constitutional guidelines. These guidelines were very important. They were used after the ANC was allowed to operate freely again in 1990. They helped create the new South African Constitution and led to the first elections in 1994 where all South Africans, regardless of race, could vote.
Public Service in South Africa
After returning to South Africa in 1990, Zola Skweyiya led the Department of Legal and Constitutional Affairs. He also helped create important organizations like the Centre for Development Studies. These groups aimed to improve life for South Africans. He also worked to protect the rights of children.
In 1994, he was elected to Parliament for the first time. He then became the Minister of Public Service and Administration. In 1999, President Thabo Mbeki appointed him Minister of Social Development.
One of his biggest achievements was creating the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in 2006. This agency helps manage social grants, which are payments to people who need financial support. His goal was to make sure these payments were given out fairly and without corruption.
After 15 years as a minister, he retired from Parliament in 2009. However, he remained an important member of the ANC's National Executive Committee. He continued to work for the ANC in a new role.
In September 2009, President Jacob Zuma appointed Zola Skweyiya as the South African High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. This meant he was South Africa's top diplomat in the UK.
From 2011 to 2015, the University of Oxford hosted a special lecture series named after him. He even gave the first lecture himself.
His Passing
Zola Skweyiya passed away in a Pretoria hospital on 11 April 2018. He was 75 years old. He is remembered for his dedication to public service and his fight for a fair and equal South Africa.
