Derek Hanekom

**Derek Andre Hanekom** (born 13 January 1953) be a South African retired politician, activist den former cabinet minister wey dey serve as de interim Chairman of South African Airways.

He dey serve as a presidential envoy for South Africa mandate to promote investment plus a focus on tourism. He be Minister of Tourism from 27 February 2018 until 29 May 2019. Insyd ein capacity as Minister of Tourism he be responsible for South African Tourism, de official national marketing agency of de South African government, plus de goal of promoting Tourism insyd South Africa both locally den globally.

He previously serve as Minister of Science den Technology from October 2012 until 2014. He be Deputy Minister of Science den Technology after he serve under de then-Presidents Kgalema Motlanthe den Thabo Mbeki, den former President Jacob Zuma insyd May 2009. He get strong African National Congress (ANC) history after he serve three years insyd prison for de work he do for de ANC during apartheid, plus ein wife Trish Hanekom wey serve three years for ein involvement.

He sanso be a former Minister of Agriculture den Land Affairs, after he serve under de Mandela administration. Hanekom ein tenure as Minister of Land Affairs reflect ein career insyd de anti-apartheid NGO sector den he be selected by former President Nelson Mandela partly because of ein ability as an Afrikaner to negotiate plus white landowners. Hanekom ein tenure as minister mark by an affinity for redistribution as oppose to retribution, den rights as oppose to property. Some cite strong contrast plus ein successor insyd de ministry during de Mbeki administration, Thoko Didiza.

Hanekom be member of de ANC National Executive Committee from 1994 to 2022 den de NEC deploy to de Western Cape – de only province de ANC no govern.

## Ein life matter
Dem born Hanekom insyd Cape Town, South Africa on 13 January 1953. He spend ein school career insyd Cape Town, attend de German Primary School den then matriculate from prominent Afrikaans school, Jan van Riebeeck High School insyd 1970. Hanekom go on to complete ein compulsory conscription insyd de South African Defence Force between 1971 den 1973. After dat, Hanekom travel abroad wey he work for various organisations include work on farms, factories den building sites. He then return to South Africa insyd ein early twenties wey he continue farming. Work de land, Hanekom be a dairy, poultry, den vegetable farmer from 1978 - 1983.

Hanekom be married to academic Patricia (Trish) Hanekom.

## Struggle history
As a 23-year-old insyd 1976, Hanekom be arrested for participating insyd a peaceful candlelight demonstration at John Vorster Square, de Police Headquarters insyd Johannesburg. Four years later, insyd 1980, Hanekom plus Patricia join de ANC, conduct underground activities while continue to farm on a smallholding insyd Magaliesburg. Patricia den Hanekom feed information to de parent body ANC, like de apartheid Defence Force ein attempts to overthrow de Mozambican government through de rebel movement, Renamo. Both arrest insyd 1983. They initially charge them plus high treason, de worst offence against de State, but de charge subsequently reduce due to de international sensitivity of de case.

After they spend three years insyd prison, Hanekom start work plus de trade union movement insyd Johannesburg. Patricia release a year later, insyd 1987, but subsequently deport to Zimbabwe, wey de couple go into exile for three years. During dis period, Hanekom serve as de co-ordinator of de Popular History Trust insyd de capital Harare.

After three years insyd exile den as de apartheid government unban previously ban political organisations, Hanekom return to South Africa insyd 1990 to work at de headquarters of de ANC, wey he be responsible for policy formulation on land den agricultural matters, during de period of negotiations prior to de first democratic elections insyd 1994.

## Career insyd government
Under founding democratic President Nelson Mandela, Hanekom be appointed Minister of Agriculture den Land Affairs from 1996 to 1999. In ein capacity, Hanekom pilot various reform bills through Parliament which aim to redress de injustices den inequities cause by apartheid laws den de 1913 Land Act. Much of de South African land reform legislation initiate, draft, den enact during Hanekom ein term. Dis legislation lay de foundation for land reform insyd de post-apartheid era.

From 1999 to 2004, Hanekom serve as a Member of Parliament on various Parliamentary Committees. Insyd April 2004, Hanekom appoint Deputy Minister of Science den Technology, a position he serve until he promote insyd October 2012 to Minister of Science den Technology. As Minister, Hanekom serve until 25 May 2014 before move ein portfolio to Tourism.

Hanekom replace as Minister of Tourism on 31 March 2017 but remain an ANC member of parliament after he file a motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma. He be one of five ministers who lose demma positions follow demma criticism of de president ein controversial relationship plus de Gupta family den accusations of corruption against President Zuma. President Cyril Ramaphosa appoint him to de ministerial post once again on 27 February 2018.

### Resignation from government
Following de 2019 national elections, President Ramaphosa appoint Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane as de new Minister of Tourism. Hanekom resign as an MP on 11 June 2019.

## Later career
Hanekom be member of de ANC ein National Executive Committee since 1994; National Working Committee; Chairperson of de National Disciplinary Committee den NEC Convener of de Western Cape.

He sanso serve as de Deputy Chairperson of de Board of de Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

Insyd August 2019 Hanekom take former President Jacob Zuma to court for defamation of character follow Zuma ein allegation on Twitter dat Hanekom be a "known enemy agent". De court find Zuma ein statement to be false den deflationary den order Zuma to issue a full den unconditional apology den retraction of ein allegation.

### Retirement
Ahead of de ANC ein 55th National Conference insyd December 2022, Hanekom announce dat he decline de nomination for anoda term on de ANC NEC den retire from politics at de conference. Hanekom say insyd an interview plus Eyewitness News dat he continue be "critical voice" insyd de party. Insyd April 2023, Hanekom appoint as non-executive Chairman of South African Airways.

## References



## External links

*Profile at anc.org.za
*Profile at info.gov.za