UDM's Holomisa vows to use his experience after returning to Cabinet as a deputy minister
Holomisa, a former African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee (NEC) member, served as the deputy minister of environment and tourism in the ANC's first administration before his expulsion from the party.
FILE: Leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) Bantu Holomisa speaks during a debate to the possibility of initiating proceedings to remove South African President Cyril Ramaphosa from office, at a parliamentary session in Cape Town on December 13, 2022. Picture: Gianluigi Guercia / AFP
CAPE TOWN - His appointment as deputy defence minister, United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, Bantu Holomisa, returns to the executive after more than two decades.
Holomisa, a former African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee (NEC) member, served as the deputy minister of environment and tourism in the ANC's first administration before his expulsion from the party.
But fast forward almost 30 years, the outspoken ANC critic returns as deputy minister as part of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Holomisa is no stranger to military combat, having survived a military coup while still the leader of the then-Transkei Bantustan.
He is also no stranger to a national unity government, having served in one from 1994 to 1996 as a deputy minister in late President Nelson Mandela's administration.
Affectionately referred to as "General" due to his military background and ranking, Holomisa said on Monday that he would use his experience.
"I've been roped in since 2010 for about nine years as a deputy commissioner of defence force service commission and I also served in the Standing Committee on Defence, as well as Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence."
But he acknowledged the amount of work that lay ahead for both Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and himself.
"But the key now is to ensure that we equip, we arm our troops, we train our troops and that the equipment is relevant for whatever task."
With his appointment as deputy minister, the UDM's deputy, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, is now expected to lead the party’s activity in Parliament after growing its caucus from two to three members.