Activist and politician Derek Hanekom celebrates 68th birthday
- Politician and activist Derek Hanekom is celebrating his 68th birthday today, 13 January
- Hanekom has a past full of activism against the apartheid government, which landed him jail for some time
- He is currently the Board Chairperson of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
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Former Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom is celebrating his 68th birthday today. Hanekom is currently the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation's Board Chairperson. He has received tons of birthday wishes from South Africans on Twitter.
Hanekom is also known as a struggle activist as he had participated in anti-apartheid demonstrations in his youth. Hanekom also spent time in prison after joining the African National Congress (ANC).
The 68-year-old has been a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) since 1994.
Source: Getty Images
According to Gov.za, Hanekom also spent three years in exile in Zimbabwe during the apartheid era. SA history reported that Hanekom was one of former president Jacob Zuma's outspoken critics during his presidency.
Take a look at some of the birthday messages Hanekom received on Twitter below:
@Abramjee wrote:
"Happy birthday @Derek_Hanekom."
@Lesibalangall said:
"Happy birthday, Veteran. Enjoy your new year."
@ferialhaffajee tweeted:
"Happy birthday @Derek_Hanekom - always putting the polite in politician."
@NolundiL wrote:
"Happy birthday leadership @Derek_Hanekom."
@kerrycullinan11 said:
"Happy birthday, dear @Derek_Hanekom. I hope you have a great day!"
@MagandaTodani tweeted:
"Happy birthday chairman."
@CraigMaraisCTN said:
"Happy (birthday) Derek... Enjoy and keep fighting the good fight."
@pakesdikgetsi wrote:
"Happy birthday to you, Comrade Derek."
@luwellyn tweeted:
"Many happy returns of the day @Derek_Hanekom. Hope you see many more. Have an awesome day."
In other birthday news, Briefly.co.za recently reported on a 116-year-old gogo who was celebrated by her family. Lomalanga Masuku was born in 1905 and has been living her colourful life ever since. Her family wanted to make sure that she had a beautiful birthday and celebrated the day with her.
Mashra spoke about her Lomalanga's life story and the reasons why her family appreciates her so much.
Lomalanga started out small and she used to sell vegetables, sugar cane and other foods that she grew on her farm. She also used to make homemade brooms and sell them. Lomalanga used the money she raised from her business ventures to provide for her family.
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Source: Briefly News
