Siphiwe Nyanda
Siphiwe Nyanda | |
|---|---|
 Siphiwe Nyanda, c. 1996 | |
| Minister of Communications | |
| In office 2009–2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri |
| Succeeded by | Roy Padayachie |
| SA Ambassador to Mozambique | |
| Assumed office 2020-present | |
| Chief of the South African National Defence Force | |
| In office 1 June 1998 – 31 May 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Georg Meiring |
| Succeeded by | Godfrey Ngwenya |
| Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of MK | |
| In office 1992–1994 | |
| Preceded by | Chris Hani |
| Succeeded by | position dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 May 1950 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Spouse(s) | Sheila Nyanda née Mathabe |
| Awards | Star of South Africa Star for Bravery in Silver Conspicuous Leadership Star Decoration for Merit in Gold Merit Medal in Silver Military Merit Medal |
| Nickname(s) | Ghebuza, Comrade Ghebuza |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Branch/service | South African Army Umkhonto we Sizwe |
| Years of service | 1974–2005 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Chief of the South African National Defence Force Chief of Staff of the Umkhonto we Sizwe |
| Battles/wars | Matola Raid |
General Siphiwe Nyanda SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, MMM (born 1950)[1] is a former South African military commander and politician. He served as Chief of the South African National Defence Force from 1998 to 2005, Minister of Communications from 2009 to 2010 and appointment as a board member of Denel in May 2018.
Military career[]
Nyanda joined Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress, in 1974, and served as a field commander during the liberation struggle against the South African government in the 1980s. He was appointed MK Chief of Staff in 1992, and served on the Transitional Executive Council which oversaw the change of government in 1994.
Major General Nyanda became part of the South African National Defence Force, into which MK was incorporated in 1994, and served successively as Chief of Defence Force Staff (1994–1996), General Officer Commanding (1996–1997), Deputy Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1997–1998), and Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1998–2005).[2]: 14–15
Awards and decorations[]
In 1999, Nyanda was awarded the Star of South Africa, Gold.[3]
Star of South Africa (SSA)
Star for Bravery in Silver (SBS)
Conspicuous Leadership Star (CLS)
Decoration for Merit in Gold (DMG)
Merit Medal in Silver (MMS)
Military Merit Medal (MMM)
Unitas Medal
Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service with 30 Year Clasp)
Service Medal in Silver
Service Medal in Bronze
Legion of Merit (LOM) (Commander - USA)
Légion d'honneur (Commander degree – France)
Commander of the Order of Military Merit (Brazil)- International Council of Military Sports Order of Merit – Officer
Performance as Communications Minister[]
Nyanda was a controversial figure throughout the 18 months that he was minister of communications. Dubbed the "minister of luxury" by South Africa's Mail & Guardian, Nyanda was alleged to have spent hundreds of thousands of rands living in a luxurious Cape Town hotel throughout his tenure because he was unhappy with the ministerial house allocated to him.[4]
At the same time as the allegations surrounding his living arrangements came to light, Nyanda's private business was under scrutiny. A company, in which Nyanda's family owned 45%, called (subsequently renamed ) was accused of impropriety in a tender process in March 2010. Amongst its numerous clients were several parastatals, including Transnet Freight Rail, passenger train company Metrorail, state bus company Autopax, and the Gauteng provincial government.[5]
It later emerged that Transnet Freight Rail had been involved in the awarding of tenders without following the correct procedures. Amongst the tenders that were questioned was one security contract valued at ZAR 55 million, awarded to GNS Risk Management Services.[6] Transnet's CEO, Siyabonga Gama, was dismissed when the allegations came to light. However, Nyanda was not reprimanded.[7]
In October 2010, Nyanda came under fire for the suspension of communications director general . It was reported that in July 2010, on the day that Nyanda axed Mohlala, she had reported tender irregularities worth ZAR 70 million to the police for a fraud investigation and had reportedly called for disciplinary action against several senior civil servants.[8]
Nyanda fervently denied the allegations, labeling them "false, spurious and malicious".[9] However, shortly after the story regarding the removal of Mohlala came out, Nyanda was removed from his position as Minister of Communications.[10] Despite the numerous suggestions of political impropriety, Nyanda was subsequently appointed as a parliamentary counselor to ex-President Jacob Zuma.[11][when?]
References[]
- ^ "Gen Siphiwe Nyandapublisher=Sabinet Online". Sabinet Law.
- ^ Mofokeng, Maj Gen Mohato Dan (June 2005). "Farewell to a determined military leader with a clear vision" (PDF). SA Soldier. RSA Department of Defence. 12 (6): 14–16. ISSN 1609-5014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Mapiloko, Jackie; Underhill, Glynnis (12 March 2010). "When in Cape Town Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda lives a five-star life at the city's top hotels – courtesy of the taxpayer". Mail & Guardian.
- ^ "Siphiwe Nyanda reminds me why we're doing this". South African corruption project. Archived from the original on August 4, 2010.
- ^ Basson, Adriaan (29 January 2010). "Nyanda Inc makes millions from govt". Mail & Guardian.
- ^ "Transnet: Gama is out". Mail & Guardian. 29 June 2010.
- ^ "Nyanda fumes at allegations over corruption". Mail & Guardian. 17 October 2010l.
- ^ "Nyanda lashes out 'false, malicious' report". Mail & Guardian. 15 July 2010.
- ^ Pillay, Verashni; Webb, Boyd (31 October 2010). "Zuma replaces seven ministers in reshuffle". Mail & Guardian.
- ^ "Nyanda to be Zuma's Parliamentary counsellor". Mail & Guardian. 25 November 2010.
External links[]
- 1950 births
- Living people
- Alumni of the University of London
- Members of the National Assembly of South Africa
- African National Congress politicians
- South African Army generals
- UMkhonto we Sizwe personnel
- People from Soweto
- Communications ministers of South Africa