Mbhazima Shilowa

Mbhazima Samuel ( Sam ) Shilowa ( born April 30, 1958 in Olifantshoek ) is a South African politician. He is Vice Chairman of the Party Congress of the People ( COPE ) and a member of the South African Parliament. Until October 2008 he was a member of the African National Congress ( ANC) and from 1999 to 2008 he was the prime minister of the province of Gauteng.

Role in the trade union movement

In 1981, Shilowa the trade union movement in, sat down in a row as a trade union representative in operation for better working conditions, and stood up for the rights of his colleagues. Shilowa made ​​in the union movement career and was appointed Deputy Chairman and later elected chairman of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union.

In the founding process of the South African trade union confederation Congress of South African Trade Unions ( COSATU ) in 1985 Shilowa played an important role, and he was elected vice president of the Alliance in Gauteng. His further promotion led him to the position of Deputy Secretary General in 1991, the Secretary-General in 1993., A post he had to give up in 1999 with his election as Prime Minister.

Political career

Shilowa was elected to the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party in 1991. In 1997 he became a member of the ANC and the same year a member of the National Executive Committee ( NEC) of the party. On 15 June 1999 he was elected Prime Minister of the Province of Gauteng. Shortly after the resignation of President Thabo Mbeki, also submitted his resignation as Prime Minister Shilowa an. Paul Mashatile followed him to the office of Prime Minister. Shilowa was later also his party card and gave his support to the efforts Mosiuoa Lekotas establishing a new political party known.

At the inaugural meeting of the Party Congress of the People ( COPE ) in Bloemfontein on 16 December 2008 chose the approximately 4000 delegates Mbhazima Shilowa as deputy party chairman. The official registration as a party and recognition as such by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on 19 December 2008.