Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula


Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula is a South African politician who was appointed Minister of Defence and Military Veterans by President Jacob Zuma in June 2012. She was Minister of Home Affairs from 2004 to 2009 and Minister of Correctional Services from 2009 to 2012.

Early life and education

Mapisa-Nqakula obtained a teacher's diploma from the Bensonvale Teachers College.

Career

In 1984, she left South Africa to undergo military training in Angola and the Soviet Union. During this time she served as the head of a commission that was set up by the ANC to investigate desertions of ANC Umkhonto we Sizwe members to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Angola.
In 1993, she became the Secretary-General of the ANC Women's League. Before her appointment as Minister of Home Affairs, she held the position as Deputy-Minister of the department.

Personal life

She is married to Charles Nqakula.
In July 2020, Mapisa-Nqakula and her husband tested positive for COVID-19. They have both recovered.