The AMBASSADOR

DATE OF BIRTH:       7 May 1961

PLACE OF BIRTH:     Soweto, South Africa

MARITAL STATUS:    Married with four children

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

1982-1985       Senior Teacher’s Diploma, Soweto College of Education

1981                Matriculated, Mapetla Tswana High School

QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED FOR NON-DEGREE PURPOSES

1996    Management Programme, Foreign Service Institute, Department of Foreign Affairs

1995-1996       Diplomatic Training, Foreign Service Institute, Department of Foreign Affairs

ACTIVISM AND LEADERSHIP

1990-1994       Secretary-General of the ANC Youth League and National Executive Committee Member of the ANC

1987-1991       Member of the National Executive Committee of the United   Democratic Front (UDF)

1987-1990       General-Secretary of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO)

1986-1987       Secretary-General of the Southern Transvaal Youth Congress (STYCO)

1984-1985       President of the Soweto Youth Congress (SOYCO)

1980-1984       National Team of Young Christian Students (YCS)

CAREER

Currently         South African Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the International Organisations in Vienna, Governor of the Board of Governors of the IAEA

2014-2019       South African Ambassador to France, Monaco and Permanent Delegate of South Africa to the UNESCO

2010-2014       Deputy Director-General: Europe, Department of International Relations and Cooperation

2008-2010       Director: Levant and Middle East, Department of International Relations and Cooperation

2004-2008       South African High Commissioner to Ghana

2003-2004       Director: Nepad and African Renaissance Fund, Department of Foreign Affairs

1999-2003       Consul-General to Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in Germany

1994-1999       Member of Parliament and Chairperson of Safety and Security Portfolio Committee

POLITICAL HISTORY

As a result of his involvement in student and youth politics, Mr Molekane was arrested while completing his final year of studies and hence was unable to complete the diploma. On his release from detention, he devoted his time as a full-time activist. He however, continued his studies at Soweto College of Education.

Mr Molekane was central to the launch of the United Democratic Front in 1983 and was detained several times including during the two State of Emergency spending almost thirty (30) months in detention without trial or charges.

He was a member of the National Reception Committee that planned and welcomed the ANC leadership from prison and from exile in the 1990’s.