Gugile Ernest Nkwinti (born 18 December 1946)[1] is a South African politician, previously serving in the Cabinet of South Africa as the Minister of Water and Sanitation and before as the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.[2]

Gugile Ernest Nkwinti
Minister of Water and Sanitation
In office
26 February 2018 – 29 May 2019
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
Preceded byNomvula Mokonyane
Succeeded byPosition Merged
Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
In office
11 May 2009 – 26 February 2018
PresidentJacob Zuma
Preceded bynew post created
Succeeded byMaite Nkoana-Mashabane
Speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
In office
1994–1999
Preceded bynew post created
Personal details
Born (1946-12-18) 18 December 1946 (age 77)
Political partyAfrican National Congress
Alma materUniversity of South Africa (B.A.)
University of London (Masters)

Education and career

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He holds a diploma in nursing (psychiatry) as well as a bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Administration and Applied Economics at Unisa. From 1972 to 1984, he worked as a professional nurse. From 1984 to 1989, he worked for the UDF, in the Eastern Cape, and he also worked as a research assistant in the department of psychology at Rhodes University. From 1990 to 1991, he served as the UDF and ANC regional secretary in the Eastern Cape. In 1994, he became the speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, and in 1999, he was elected as MEC for housing, local government and traditional affairs in the province. 2004 saw him holding on to his position as MEC for housing and local government, and in 2009, he was appointed as minister of rural development and land reform.[3][4]

Current land reform policy

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Southern African land reform is a contentious issue. He has stated that the funds are unavailable to reach the target of redistributing 30% of arable land back to the black majority by 2014. Rather advocating a partial policy of reforming reclaimed, but unproductive land (up to 90% according to Nkwinti).[5] He has stated that Nationalisation is not an option, but left future land reform policy to future national debate.[6][7] He has made contentious statements, on the local news, eNCA, that commercial farmers must co-operate or share a fate "worse than Zimbabwe". Drawing critical reactions from the agricultural union, TAU SA, and the Freedom Front Plus and later, calls for clarity from the Democratic Alliance.[8] Has previously suggested a policy of no compensation.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Footer". Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  2. ^ "South African Government Information" Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine, SA government, Government Leaders, May 12, 2009.
  3. ^ "Mr. Gugile Nkwinti"[permanent dead link]. Sabinet Law
  4. ^ "Who's Who South Africa"
  5. ^ "Use land or lose it: Nkwinti"[permanent dead link], The Citizen,3 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Nationalisation not an option, says land minister", Mail & Guardian Online, 1 April 2010.
  7. ^ "Land Reform Minister Dimisses Nationalisation", Times Live, 1 April 2010. Archived 4 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Nkwinti's Zim Warning Draws Sharp Reaction", Polity, 30 March 2010.
  9. ^ News24, Thulani Gqirana. "SA needs a law addressing land restitution without compensation - Nkwinti". News24. Retrieved 4 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)