Bantu Holomisa

Bantubonke Harrington Holomisa^[1] (born 25 July 1955)^[1][2] is a South African politician. He is a member of parliament for and president of the United Democratic Movement.^[1][2] and the current Deputy Minister of Defence.

The Honorable Major General Bantu Holomisa MP
Holomisa delivering a speech in Khutsong, Gauteng in 2019
Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Incumbent
Assumed office 30 June 2024 Serving with Richard Mkhungo
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Minister	Angie Motshekga
Preceded by	Thabang Makwetla
President of the United Democratic Movement
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 September 1997
Deputy	Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala Nqabayomzi Kwankwa
Preceded by	Position established
Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of South Africa
In office 1994–1996
President	Nelson Mandela
Minister	Dawie de Villiers
Member of the National Assembly of South Africa
Incumbent
Assumed office since 1994
4th Head of Government of Transkei Chairman of the Military Council and of the Council of Ministers
In office 30 December 1987 – 26 April 1994
President	Tutor Ndamase
Preceded by	Stella Sigcau (as prime minister)
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Personal details
Born	Bantubonke Harrington Holomisa (1955-07-25) 25 July 1955 (age 69) Mqanduli, South Africa
Political party	United Democratic Movement (1997–present)
Other political affiliations	African National Congress (1994–1996)
Military service
Allegiance	Republic of Transkei
Branch/service	Transkei Defence Force
Years of service	1976–1994
Rank	Major General Brigadier (1985)
Unit	141 Battalion
Commands	South African Defence Force

Holomisa was born in Mqanduli, Cape Province.^[1] He joined the Transkei Defence Force in 1976^[1] and had become a brigadier by 1985.^[1][3]

Holomisa forced the resignation and exile of Prime Minister of Transkei George Matanzima in October 1987^[4][5] and overthrew Matanzima's successor, Prime Minister Stella Sigcau in a bloodless coup d'état^[6] in December 1987. Holomisa then became the head of government of Transkei from 1987 to 1994, upon which Transkei was reintegrated into the "new" South Africa and Holomisa joined the African National Congress (ANC).^[1]

National politics

In 1994 Holomisa was elected to the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress,^[1][2] and was the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism of South Africa.^[1][7]

Expulsion from the ANC

Holomisa testified to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that Stella Sigcau should be investigated for corruption. Holomisa stated that Sigcau was involved in accepting bribes from South African hotel and casino magnate Sol Kerzner when she was minister of public enterprises in the Transkei government of George Matanzima. Instead of investigating the accusations of corruption the ANC accused Holomisa of bringing the party into disrepute. Holomisa then also accused the ANC of also accepting funds and kickbacks from Kerzner.^[8] The ANC then expelled Holomisa^[7] on 30 September 1996.^[9] Deputy president Thabo Mbeki was instrumental in pushing for Holomisa's expulsion and recommended that there was no need to investigate Sigcau for corruption even though the circumstances of Sigcau accepting money from Kerzner were not in doubt.^[8]

Founding of the UDM

Holomisa co-founded the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in 1997^[7] with former ANC executive member John Taylor and Roelf Meyer,^[10] and was elected to parliament in 1999.^[1][7]

Holomisa and the UDM supported a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma on several occasions, including on 8 August 2017.^[11][12]

Personal life

Holomisa supports South African football club Kaizer Chiefs, for whom he declared his love in an interview with Radio 702 in 2015.^[13]

References

1. "General Bantubonke Harrington "Bantu" Holomisa (profile)". Who's who of Southern Africa. 24.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
2. "Holomisa, H. Bantubonke (Bantu) – co-founder and president of United Democratic Movement". Contemporary African Database. The Africa Centre. Archived from the original on 4 October 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
3. Pissarra, Mario (1 November 2001). "Holomisa, H. Bantubonke (Bantu)". Contemporary African Database. The Africa Centre. Archived from the original on 14 February 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
4. Mgaqelwa, Abongile (8 August 2013). "Matanzima dies after hijack". Daily Dispatch. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
5. "Chief George Mzimvubu Mathanzima, former Prime Minister of Transkei, dies". South Africa History Online. 10 November 2000. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
6. "Stella Sigcau dead at 69". Mail&Guardian. 8 May 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
7. "Résumé of Mr HB Holomisa, MP". UDM. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
8. Mkhabela, Mpumelelo (2022). The Enemy Within. Tafelberg. pp. 12–13. ISBN 9780624091226.
9. "The rise and fall of Bantu Holomisa". African National Congress, Department of Information and Publicity. 30 May 1997. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
10. Bell, Terry; Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza (2003). "The nerve centre of apartheid". Unfinished business: South Africa, apartheid and truth. Verso. p. 30. ISBN 1-85984-545-2. roelf meyer udm founded.
11. "Holomisa: UDM will support DA motion of no confidence". 702. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
12. "Filcon scandal: fresh claims". www.onlinetenders.co.za. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
13. "Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates: Celebrity Fans - Goal.com". Goal.com. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2017.

Political offices
Preceded by Stella Sigcau as Prime Minister	Head of Government of Transkei Chairman of the Military Council and of the Council of Ministers 1987–1994	Position abolished