Jakes Gerwel

Jakes Gerwel
Director-General, Office of the President of South Africa
In office
1994–1999
President Nelson Mandela
Secretary of the Cabinet, Government of National Unity
In office
1994–1997
President Nelson Mandela
Chancellor, Rhodes University
In office
1999–2012
Preceded by Gavin Relly
Succeeded by Lex Mpati
Vice-Chancellor, University of the Western Cape
In office
1987–1994
Personal details
Born Gert Johannes Gerwel
January 18, 1946
Somerset East, South Africa
Died November 28, 2012
Cape Town, South Africa
Citizenship South African
Political party African National Congress
Spouse(s) Phoebe Gerwel (née Abrahams)
Alma mater University of Brussels, University of the Western Cape
Positions Global Chairman, Aurecon (2009–2012)
Chairman, Media24 (2007-2012)
Chairman, South African Airways (2004)
Chairperson of Policy Committee, Cricket World Cup (2003)
Chair, Human Sciences Research Council (1999–2012)

Jakes Gerwel (18 January 1946 – 28 November 2012) was a South African academic and anti-apartheid activist. He served as Director-General of the Presidency when Nelson Mandela was in office. In 1999 Gerwel was instrumental in brokering the deal under which Lockerbie bombing suspects were extradited to Scotland.[1] Following Mandela's presidency, Gerwel chaired the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, and also took up a number of academic and business positions until his death in November 2012.[2]

Teaching career

Gerwel matriculated from Paterson High School in Port Elizabeth, and in 1967 earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). He then lectured at the Hewat Teachers' Training College in Crawford, Cape Town for a short time before receiving a scholarship, in 1971, to study at the University of Brussels. On his return to South Africa, Gerwel first taught at Grassy Park High School and then returned to UWC as a lecturer.[3]

Legacy

In 2015 Vanguard Drive, a major road running from Cape Town's southern suburbs to the Cape Flats, was renamed in Jakes Gerwel's honour.[4]

References

  1. "Jakes Gerwel, South African academic who was a friend and aide to Nelson Mandela, dies at 66". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  2. "Rhodes mourns the passing of its Chancellor". Rhodes University. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  3. Sapa (29 November 2012). "Sagacious Gerwel leaves rich legacy". The New Age.
  4. Jan Cronje (18 January 2015). "Vanguard Drive named after Jakes Gerwel". Weekend Argus. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
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