Siphiwe Nyanda
In office 2009–2010 | |
Preceded by | Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri |
Succeeded by | Roy Padayachie |
SA Ambassador to Mozambique | |
Assumed office 2020–present | |
Chief of the South African National Defence Force | |
In office 1 June 1998 – 31 May 2005 | |
Preceded by | Georg Meiring |
Succeeded by | Godfrey Ngwenya |
Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of MK | |
In office 1992–1994 | |
Preceded by | Chris Hani |
Succeeded by | position dissolved |
Personal details | |
Born | General | 22 May 1950
Unit | SA Army College |
Commands |
|
Battles/wars | Matola Raid |
Military awards | |
Military career
Nyanda joined
Lieutenant General Nyanda became part of the South African National Defence Force, into which MK was incorporated in 1994, and served successively as Chief of Defence Force Staff (1994–1996), General Officer Commanding Gauteng Command (1996–1997), He completed the Senior Command and Staff Duties Course in 1996. Deputy Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1997–1998), and Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1998–2005).[2]: 14–15
Awards and decorations
In 1999, Nyanda was awarded the Star of South Africa, Gold.[3]
Civilian
- Star of South Africa (Gold) (SSAG)
Military
- Star for Bravery (Silver) (SBS)
- Conspicuous Leadership Star (CLS)
- Decoration for Merit (Gold) (DMG)
- Merit Medal (Silver) (MMS)
- Military Merit Medal (MMM)
- Operational Medal for Southern Africa
- South Africa Service Medal
- Unitas (Unity) Medal
- Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (30 Year Clasp)
- Service Medal (Silver)
- Service Medal (Bronze)
Foreign
- Legion of Merit (Commander) (LOM) (USA)
- Legion of Honour (Commander) [a] (France)
- Order of Military Merit (Commander - Comendador) (Brazil)
- Santos-Dumont Merit Medal (Brazil)
- Peacemaker Medal [b] (Brazil)
- CISM Order of Merit (Officer)
Performance as Communications Minister
Nyanda was a controversial figure throughout the 18 months that he was minister of communications. Dubbed the "minister of comfort" by South Africa's Mail & Guardian, he was residing in a Cape Town hotel throughout his tenure because he was unhappy with the ministerial house allocated to him.[4]
A company, in which Nyanda's family owned 45%, called GNS Risk Management Services (subsequently renamed Abalozi Security Risk Advisory Services) was accused of impropriety in a tender process in March 2010 due to rogue lawyers. Amongst its numerous clients were several companies, including
It later emerged that Transnet Freight Rail had been involved in the awarding of tenders without following the correct procedures. Amongst the tenders that were questioned was one security contract valued at ZAR 55 million, awarded to GNS Risk Management Services.[6] Transnet's CEO, Siyabonga Gama, was dismissed when the allegations came to light. However, Nyanda was not reprimanded.[7]
In October 2010, Nyanda came under fire for the suspension of communications director general Mamodupi Mohlala. It was reported that in July 2010, on the day that Nyanda axed Mohlala, she had reported tender irregularities worth ZAR 70 million to the police for a fraud investigation and had reportedly called for disciplinary action against several senior civil servants.[8]
Nyanda fervently denied the allegations calling them "false, spurious and malicious".[9] However, shortly after the story regarding the removal of Mohlala came out, Nyanda was removed from his position as Minister of Communications.[10] Despite the numerous suggestions of political impropriety, Nyanda was subsequently appointed as a parliamentary counselor to ex-President Jacob Zuma.[11][when?]
Notes
- ^ French: Légion d'honneur - Commandeur
- ^ Portuguese: Medalha do Pacificador
References
- ^ "Gen Siphiwe Nyanda". Sabinet Law. Sabinet Online.
- ISSN 1609-5014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ^ "About Government - National Orders". Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- ^ Mapiloko, Jackie; Underhill, Glynnis (12 March 2010). "When in Cape Town Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda lives a five-star life at the city's top hotels – courtesy of the taxpayer". Mail & Guardian.
- ^ "Siphiwe Nyanda reminds me why we're doing this". South African corruption project. Archived from the original on 4 August 2010.
- ^ Basson, Adriaan (29 January 2010). "Nyanda Inc makes millions from govt". Mail & Guardian.
- ^ "Transnet: Gama is out". Mail & Guardian. 29 June 2010.
- ^ "Nyanda fumes at allegations over corruption". Mail & Guardian. 17 October 2010l.
- ^ "Nyanda lashes out 'false, malicious' report". Mail & Guardian. 15 July 2010.
- ^ Pillay, Verashni; Webb, Boyd (31 October 2010). "Zuma replaces seven ministers in reshuffle". Mail & Guardian.
- ^ "Nyanda to be Zuma's Parliamentary counsellor". Mail & Guardian. 25 November 2010.
External links
- "No more telecoms". Fin24. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009.