Biography

Dr Siyabonga CWELE

Minister of State Security

Republic of South Africa

2008 -

 Dr Siyabonga Cwele (MP) was appointed Minister for Intelligence Services on Thursday, 25 September 2008.  He is the former Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI), having first served since 1999 and later appointed its chairperson in 2002.  His main functions included convening and chairing the multi-party parliamentary committee responsible for oversight of the civilian intelligence community, defence and crime intelligence.

During his tenure as a Member of Parliament, he was also the Chairperson of the Social Services Committee (Health, Social Development and Home Affairs) of the National Council of Provinces (1994 – 1999); and served as a member of the National Assembly Health Portfolio Committee (1999 - ); the Communication Committee(1999 - ); and the Budget Committee (2001).

A medical practitioner by training, Dr Cwele completed an MBchB at the University of Natal (1979 – 1983) and a postgraduate diploma in child health at the College of Medicine in South Africa (1987 – 1988).

From 1984 to 1989 he worked as a medical officer at the Edendale and Port Shepstone public hospitals before going into private practice in 1989 until 1994 when he was deployed to Parliament.

During his university days, he participated in anti-apartheid student activities; was a national council member of the progressive medical association, National Medical and Dental Association (NAMDA); and continues to serve as a member of the provincial political leadership of the African National Congress since it’s unbanning.

Dr Cwele is married and has two daughters and two sons. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brief Profiles: Mr Mzuvukile J MAQETUKA,

Mr Lizo Gibson NJENJE and

Mr Rieaz SHAIK