Botschafter | Cercle Diplomatique Magazin

BOTSCHAFTER

SOUTH AFRICA - H.E. Rapulane Sydney Molekane

Credentials: 10.07.2019

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DATE OF BIRTH 7 May 1961
PLACE OF BIRTH Soweto, South Africa
MARITAL STATUS Married with four children

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
1981 Matriculated, Mapetla Tswana High School
1982-1985 Senior Teacher’s Diploma, Soweto College of Education

QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED FOR NON-DEGREE PURPOSES
1995-1996 Diplomatic Training, Foreign Service Institute, Department of Foreign Affairs
1996 Management Programme, Foreign Service Institute, Department of Foreign Affairs

ACTIVISM AND LEADERSHIP
1980-1984 National Team of Young Christian Students (YCS)
1984-1985 President of the Soweto Youth Congress (SOYCO)
1986-1987 Secretary-General of the Southern Transvaal Youth Congress (STYCO)
1987-1990 General-Secretary of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO)
1987-1991 Member of the National Executive Committee of the United Democratic Front (UDF)
1990-1994 Secretary-General of the ANC Youth League and National Executive Committee Member of the ANC (ANCYL)

CAREER

Currently South African Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the International Organisations in Vienna
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
1999 Joined the then Department of Foreign Affairs
1994-1999 Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the 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.

LANGUAGES
SeTswana, English and German (basic)

Fotos: Lisa KAPICI und Carina KARLOVITS/HBF