Deputy Minister of Defence, Thabang Makwetla

Mr Thabang Makwetla was born in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa, on 18 May 1957. In 1977 he matriculated from Mmabathoana High School in Maseru.

His highest academic qualifications include a Diploma in Public and Policy Development Administration (PPDA) from Wits Graduate School and a Diploma in Social Science from the Academy of Social Sciences in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Mr Makwetla went into exile in 1976, where he joined Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He lived in different countries in Africa

including Botswana, Angola,
Lesotho and Zambia where he carried out various duties on behalf of the MK underground, until 1990.

After the dawn of democracy, he was appointed to various positions such as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence from 1994 to 2001. He was also a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence from 1998 to 2001.

His dedication in serving the people of South Africa was affirmed by his appointment as MEC for Safety and Security in Mpumalanga Province from 2001 to 2004. This elevation later resulted in his appointment as Priemer of the Mpumalanga Province in 2004, a position he held until he joined the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.