Kgalema Motlanthe

President of South Africa, Deputy President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and Secretary-General of the African National Congress

Kgalema Motlanthe ascended to the presidency of South Africa on 25 September 2008, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Thabo Mbeki. Serving as a compromise candidate during a period of transition, he led a caretaker administration for seven and a half months before overseeing the 2009 national election.

Activism and Incarceration

Born on 19 July 1949 in Johannesburg, Motlanthe grew up in the township of Alexandra before his family was forcibly relocated to Soweto. After completing high school, he engaged in anti-apartheid activities and joined uMkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress. His involvement in sabotage and recruitment efforts led to his arrest in 1976. He subsequently served a ten-year sentence on Robben Island, where he participated in political education programs for other inmates.

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Trade Union Leadership

Following his release from prison in 1987, Motlanthe moved into the trade union sector, joining the National Union of Mineworkers. Working under Cyril Ramaphosa, he focused on labor education and organizational development. This experience provided the foundation for his shift into broader ANC leadership, where he served as secretary general from 1997 until 2007.

Government Tenure

Motlanthe was sworn in as a Member of Parliament and Minister in the Presidency in 2008. During his brief presidency, he moved to stabilize the national administration while replacing the Minister of Health to reform state HIV/AIDS policies. After the 2009 general election, he served as Deputy President under Jacob Zuma until 2014, when he resigned from government and the National Assembly.