Raymond Mhlaba
Raymond Mhlaba | |
|---|---|
| Premier of the Eastern Cape | |
| In office 7 May 1994 – 4 February 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Makhenkesi Stofile |
| High Commissioner to Uganda and Rwanda | |
| In office 1997–2001 | |
| President | Nelson Mandela Thabo Mbeki |
| Overall Commander of Umkhonto weSizwe | |
| In office August 1962 – July 1963 | |
| Preceded by | Nelson Mandela |
| Succeeded by | Wilton Mkwayi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Raymond Mphakamisi Mhlaba 12 February 1920 Fort Beaufort, Cape Province (now Eastern Cape), South Africa |
| Died | 20 February 2005 (aged 85) |
| Political party | African National Congress South African Communist Party |
| Spouse(s) |
Joyce Meke
(m. 1943; died 1960)Dideka Heliso (m. 1986) |
| Children | 8 children including: Bukeka Mhlaba (daughter) Nomalungelo Mhlaba (daughter) Jongintshaba Mhlaba (son) Mpilo Mhlaba (son) Nomawethu Mhlaba (daughter) Nikiwe Mhlaba (daughter) |
Raymond Mphakamisi Mhlaba OMSG (12 February 1920 – 20 February 2005) was an anti-apartheid activist, Communist and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) who became the first premier of the Eastern Cape. Mhlaba spent 25 years of his life in prison. Well-known for being sentenced with Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and others in the Rivonia Trial, he was an active member of the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) all his adult life. His kindly manner brought him the nickname "Oom Ray” (“Uncle Ray” in Afrikaans).