Thabang Makwetla

Thabang Samson Phathakge Makwetla (born 28 May, 1957) is the Premier of Mpumlanga Province. A member of the African National Congress, Makwetla has been Premier since 21 April, 2004. [ [http://www.info.gov.za/gol/gcis_profile.jsp?id=1442 Profile] from the South African government] Inside of the ANC, he is a supporter of former South African President Thabo Mbeki. As a consequence of this support and Jacob Zuma's election as ANC President at the 2007 party conference, Makwetla will lose his position of regional chairperson of Mpumalanga. [ [http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20080815124752389C778185 Cops to guard ANC conference] IOL, 15 August, 2008]

Exile

Makwetla joined the South African Students Movement in 1974 and went into exile in 1976, joining the ANC's military wing Umkhonto we Sizwe in the same year. While in exile, he lived in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho and Zambia. Besides receiving an education abroad, Makwetla served the South African Communist Party in the Botswana region from 1986-88.

Education

Makwetla graduated from Mmabathoana High School in Lesotho in 1977 and later from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia.

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