Popo Molefe
Popo Molefe | |
---|---|
1stPremier of North West | |
In office 1994 –2004 | |
Preceded by | New position |
Succeeded by | Molewa, B.E.E. |
Chairman of the board ofPetroSA | |
In office 2002–2010 | |
Preceded by | New position |
Succeeded by | Mokaba, A.M.B. |
Chairman of the board ofPRASA | |
In office 2014–2017 | |
Preceded by | Buthelezi, S. |
Succeeded by | Kweyama, K. |
Chairman of the board ofTransnet | |
In office 2018 – in office | |
Preceded by | Mabaso, L |
Personal details | |
Born | Popo Simon Molefe 26 April 1952 Sophiatown,Gauteng,South Africa |
Political party | African National Congress |
Spouse(s) | Plaatjie, B. |
Popo Simon MolefeOLS(born 26 April 1952) is a businessman and former politician fromSouth Africa.
Early life
[edit]One of eight children, Molefe was the son of a laborer and adomestic worker,though he was raised largely by one of his aunts, Sanah Tsatsimpe.[1]: 192 He attendedNaledi High Schoolin Soweto.[2]: 192 He became involved in political activism as a student, joining theBlack People's Conventionin 1973, and theSouth African Students' Movementin 1974.[1]: 192 While a member of the latter organization, he participated in theSoweto Uprisingof 1976.[1]: 192
Molefe is a member of theMethodist Churchof South Africa.[citation needed]
Political involvement
[edit]Molefe was one of the founding members of theAzanian People's Organizationat its formation in 1978 and became the first chairman of the Soweto branch in 1979.[1]: 193 He left the group in 1981 as a result of a dispute over the role of white Africans in the anti-apartheidmovement, and the following year he became one of theCommittee of Tenwithin theSoweto Civic Organization,[1]: 193 serving in that capacity until 1984. He also was involved with the founding of theUnited Democratic Frontin January 1983.[1]: 193 In August 1983, he became the UDF's National General-Secretary.[1]: 194
Molefe was arrested on several occasions as a result of his political activities. A 1985 arrest resulted in three years of detention without bail, followed by court proceedings in theDelmas Treason Trial.[3]At the end of that trial, Molefe was one of eleven men convicted of anti-apartheid activities, and he drew a prison sentence of ten years from Judge van Dijkhorst, the second-longest sentence among the men convicted.[3]His sentence was overturned by theSupreme Court of South Africain 1989.
Following his release from prison, Molefe became a member of the newly-legalizedAfrican National Congress.After advancing through various party offices, he becamePremierof theNorth West Provincein 1994. He held this position until April 2004, when he resigned from politics citing a desire to tend to his "personal health and family".[4]
Business appointments
[edit]- In July 2004 - Anooraq Resources Corporation, aplatinummining and exploration company, as co-non-executive chairperson.[5]
- In August 2004 - Chancellor ofNorth-West University.
- PetroSA- Chairman of the Board of Directors - 2002-2010
- Chancellor House- Trustee[6]
- PRASA- Chairman of the Board of Directors - 2014-2017
- Transnet- Chairman of the Board of Directors - since May 2018[7]
Marriage
[edit]Molefe was married to Boitumelo "Tumi" Plaatje, with whom he had four children. The couple divorced in 2003, after she alleged that he had molested his ten-year-old daughter.[8]Molefe denied the accusations, and attributed them to what he termed Plaatje's "unstable history of making false allegations".[9]Police investigated Plaatje's claim but declined to prosecute, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.[9]
References
[edit]- ^abcdefgGastrow, Shelagh (1986).Who's Who in South African Politics.Johannesburg: Raven Press.ISBN0-86975-280-4.
- ^Mecoamere, Victor (27 May 2013)."Naledi High turns 50".Sowetan Live.Retrieved23 July2013.
- ^abWren, Christopher. "South Africa Sentences 4 Dissidents",The New York Times, 9 December 1988.
- ^South African Press Association. "Popo Molefe quits formal politics",Independent Online (South Africa), 22 April 2004.
- ^"Popo Molefe joins Canadian platinum miner",Creamer Media's Mining Weekly, 13 July 2004.
- ^"ANC's Chancellor House mum on sale of Hitachi stake".IOL.12 April 2010.Retrieved28 October2021.
- ^"Board of Directors".Transnet.Retrieved5 January2022.
- ^South African Press Association. "Ex-wife accuses Molefe of molesting child"Archived29 April 2003 at theWayback Machine,The Daily Dispatch, 15 March 2003.
- ^abSouth African Press Association. "Molefe's sex probe dropped",News24, 15 September 2003.
- 1952 births
- Living people
- Politicians from Johannesburg
- South African Tswana people
- Azanian People's Organisation politicians
- African National Congress politicians
- Premiers of North West (South African province)
- South African corporate directors
- Members of the Order of Luthuli
- People convicted of treason against South Africa