Thandi Ruth Modise is a name synonymous with resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to South Africa’s political landscape. As a prominent figure in the African National Congress (ANC), her life story reflects the remarkable journey of an activist turned politician. Here are 21 facts about Thandi Modise that highlight her role in shaping South Africa’s political history.
1. Born on Christmas Day
Thandi Modise was born on December 25, 1959, in Huhudi, a township near Vryburg in the North West province of South Africa.
2. A Strong Family Legacy
Her father, Frans Modise, was a railway worker and a committed member of the ANC, even though the organization was banned by the apartheid regime when Thandi was born.
3. The Soweto Uprising Changed Her Life
Modise’s life took a pivotal turn during the 1976 Soweto uprising. She dropped out of high school to join the ANC’s armed wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), in exile, marking the beginning of her political activism.
4. Exiled to Botswana
Following the Soweto protests, Modise fled to Botswana with some of her classmates, seeking safety and joining the ANC’s fight against apartheid.
5. Training as a Guerrilla Operative
Modise received military training in Angola and Mozambique, later becoming one of the few women to be part of MK’s famed “June 16” detachment.
6. Underground Operations in South Africa
In 1978, Modise crossed back into South Africa to work underground as an MK operative. Her role involved reconnaissance for sabotage missions, including planting incendiary devices in Johannesburg stores.
7. Arrested and Imprisoned
In 1979, Modise was arrested and detained for her involvement in MK activities. She was sentenced to 16 years in prison under the Terrorism Act, serving eight years before her release in 1988.
8. A Political Educator in Prison
While in prison, Modise completed her matriculation and earned a degree in industrial psychology and economics from the University of South Africa.
9. First Elected to Parliament in 1994
In South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994, Modise was elected to the National Assembly, representing the ANC. She held her seat for a decade.
10. Leadership Role in the North West
After serving in Parliament, Modise became Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature from 2004 to 2009 and later served as Premier from 2010 to 2014.
11. The ‘Taliban’ Faction
Modise was associated with a faction within the ANC’s North West branch that was known as “the Talibans.” This group, led by Modise and supported by other provincial leaders, challenged the leadership of Premier Popo Molefe.
12. ANC Women’s League Deputy President
From 1993 to 2003, Modise served as the Deputy President of the ANC Women’s League under Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
13. A Setback in the ANC Women’s League Presidential Election
In 2003, Modise ran for the presidency of the ANC Women’s League but was defeated by Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
14. Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC
At the ANC’s 2007 conference, Modise was elected Deputy Secretary-General, a post she held until 2012. She was aligned with Jacob Zuma’s faction within the party.
15. Premier During Marikana
Modise was Premier of North West during the 2012 Marikana massacre, one of the darkest chapters in South Africa’s post-apartheid history.
16. Chairperson of the NCOP
In 2014, Modise became the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), the upper house of Parliament. She was later re-elected for another term in 2017.
17. A No-Nonsense National Assembly Speaker
In 2019, Modise was elected Speaker of the National Assembly. She received praise for restoring order and dignity to Parliament after the chaos of former President Zuma’s tenure.
18. Appointed Defence Minister
In August 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Modise as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, succeeding Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
19. Hostage Crisis
In October 2021, Modise was held hostage for over three hours at a hotel in Pretoria by military veterans who demanded reparations for their role in the anti-apartheid struggle. She was eventually rescued by the South African Special Task Force.
20. ANC Leadership Role
Modise remains a key figure in the ANC’s National Executive Committee, re-elected in 2022. Her leadership continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the party.
21. Animal Cruelty Charges
In 2014, Modise faced animal cruelty charges after a number of animals on her farm died due to starvation. She was acquitted of all charges in 2021, with the court ruling that her hired caretaker was responsible for the neglect.