Tokyo Sexwale

Mosima Gabriel Sexwale (born 5 March 1953), commonly known as Tokyo Sexwale, is the current Minister of Human Settlements of South Africa. A South African businessman, politician, anti-apartheid activist, and former political prisoner. His nickname of "Tokyo" is derived from his involvement with the sport of karate as a youth. A charismatic leader, Sexwale was imprisoned on Robben Island for his anti-apartheid activities, alongside figures such as Nelson Mandela. After the 1994 general election—the first universal franchise election in South Africa—Sexwale became the Premier of Gauteng Province. He retired from politics in 1998 and subsequently became a major business leader. Sexwale is married to a white paralegal he met while in Robben Island, Judy van Vuuren; they have two children, Gabrielle and Chris. On 10 May 2009, South Africa's new President Jacob Zuma appointed the veteran Sexwale as Minister of Human Settlements.

Early life and education

Sexwale was born in the township of Orlando West in Soweto. His father was a clerk at Johannesburg General Hospital. Sexwale grew up amid the turmoil of the black township's upheaval; he was eight when he heard the explosions at a nearby post office of the first bombs in the African National Congress's guerrilla campaign. Sexwale graduated from Orlando West High School in 1973.

Sexwale became a member of the Steve Biko's Black Consciousness Movement in the late 1960s and became a local leader of...
Read More