Biography
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (born 13 November 1956) is a prominent South African politician, serving as the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs.
A member of the African National Congress (ANC), she has held several cabinet positions, including Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Safety and Security. Mapisa-Nqakula is the first woman to serve as South Africa’s Minister of Defence.
Her tenure as Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs runs from June 2012 to August 2021. Prior to that, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula served as Minister of Home Affairs from 2004 to 2009 and Minister of Correctional Services from 2009 to 2012.
South African politician
Nosiviwe-Nqakula Map |
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 Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | Nosiviwe-Nqakula Map |
| Stage name: | Do not have |
| Born: | November 13, 1956 (age 67) |
| Place of birth: | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South Africa |
| Education: | University of Fort Hare |
| Height: | 1.59 minutes |
| Parents: | Douglass Map |
| Siblings: | Siviwe Map |
| Couple: | Charles Nqakula |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| The children: | Chumani Nqakula |
| Job: | Politician |
| Net worth: | $1 million – $5 million (USD) |
Early life and education
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was born on 13 November 1956 in Cape Town, South Africa, and spent her formative years in the Gugulethu township during the apartheid era. Raised in a family deeply involved in anti-apartheid activism, her father, Douglass Mapisa, was a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC). Notably, her brother, Siviwe Mapisa, was associated with Valence Watson, and Mapisa-Nqakula, in turn, had a business relationship with Gavin Watson, the CEO of Dyambu Joint Stock Companya company they co-founded.
Growing up in this political environment, Mapisa-Nqakula became actively involved in student movements, notably through her association with the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO). Her involvement in activism continued alongside her education.
Experiencing the injustices of apartheid firsthand as a young woman, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula joined the ANC’s armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), in the late 1970s. Dedicated to the liberation struggle, she underwent military training and played an active role in the fight against the apartheid government.
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from University of Fort HareSouth Africa, completed his studies in the 1980s.
Career
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula became involved in anti-apartheid activism early on, affiliated with the African National Congress (ANC) in 1985 and actively participated in the anti-apartheid struggle.
After apartheid, Mapisa-Nqakula remained committed to the ANC, taking on various roles within the party, most notably as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs from 1999 to 2004.
In 2004, she assumed the role of Minister of Home Affairs in the South African government, a position she held until 2009, when she moved to become Minister of Correctional Services. Then, in 2012, she assumed the pivotal role of Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, making history as the first woman to hold the rank of general in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
During her time overseeing the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula encountered a number of controversies, including a diplomatic scandal arising from the illegal landing of a private plane from India at Waterkloof Air Force Base in 2013.
Social media
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is not active on social media. She does not have a personal Twitter, Facebook or Instagram account. The only official social media accounts of the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs are the Ministry of Defence Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Personal life
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, mother of three children, keeps their names and personal details private. She has a son, Chumani Nqakula, with her husband, Charles Nqakula, a South African politician and former Minister of Safety and Security.
Tragically, Chumani Nqakula lost his life in October 2015 in a tragic accident involving his close friend Carlos Higuera.
Net worth
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. As a senior government official, she likely earns a substantial salary, but her finances remain private.
