List of political families in South Africa

This is a partial list of prominent political families in South Africa.

Aucamp

Cassie Aucamp, leader of the Afrikaner Eenheidsbeweging, father to:
- Willie Aucamp, Member of Parliament; formerly married to Carol Johnson, Member of Parliament.^[1]

Bellhouse

Elgar Bellhouse, chairperson of the Progressive Party, father to:
- Molly Blackburn (née Bellhouse; 1930–1985), political activist.
- Judy Chalmers (née Bellhouse), Member of Parliament.^[2]

Bunting

Sidney Bunting (1873–1936), chairman of the Communist Party of South Africa, father to:
- Brian Bunting (1920–2008), Member of Parliament; married to Sonia Bunting (1922–2001), anti-apartheid activist.^[3]

Cachalia and Asvat

Ebrahim Ismail Asvat (died 1940), political activist, father to:
- Zainab Asvat, political activist.
- Amina Cachalia (née Asvat; 1930–2013), Member of Parliament; married to Yusuf Cachalia, political activist; mother to:
  - Ghaleb Cachalia, Member of Parliament.
Ahmed Mohamed Cachalia, political activist, father to:
- Moulvi Cachalia (1908–2003), political activist.
- Yusuf Cachalia (1915–1995), political activist; formerly married to Bettie du Toit, political activist; married to Amina Cachalia, political activist; father to Ghaleb Cachalia.
Ismail Cachalia, Member of Parliament, father to:
- Firoz Cachalia, Member of Parliament.
- Azhar Cachalia, anti-apartheid activist.

Calata

James Calata (1895–1983), political activist, grandfather to:
- Fort Calata (1956–1985), political activist, member of the Cradock Four.

Dangor

Ebrahim Dangor, activist, father to:
- Mohammed Dangor, diplomat and politician.
- Achmat Dangor (1948–2020), author and activist.
- Jessie Duarte (née Dangor; 1953–2022), Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.^[4]

David and Naidoo

Phyllis Naidoo (née David; 1928–2013), political activist; formerly married to M. D. Naidoo, political activist; sister-in-law of M. J. Naidoo, political activist; sister-in-law of Tim Naidoo, political activist and former wife of Mac Maharaj.
Paul David (1940–2020), political activist, brother of Phyllis.

De Klerk

Jan de Klerk (1903–1979), member of cabinet, father to:
- Frederik Willem de Klerk (1936–2021), State President of South Africa from 1989 to 1994.

Ebrahim

Ebrahim Ebrahim (1937–2021), member of cabinet.
Gora Ebrahim (1936–1999), Member of Parliament, brother to Ebrahim.

First and Slovo

Julius First, treasurer of the Communist Party of South Africa, father to:
- Ruth First (1925–1982), anti-apartheid activist; married to Joe Slovo (1926–1995), leader of the South African Communist Party.^[5]

Fraser and Moleketi

Arthur Fraser, anti-apartheid activist.
Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, member of cabinet, sister to Arthur; married to Jabu Moleketi, member of cabinet.

Gandhi and Ramgobin

Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948), political activist, grandfather to:
- Ela Gandhi, Member of Parliament; formerly married to Mewa Ramgobin (1932–2016), Member of Parliament.

Graaff

David Pieter de Villiers Graaff (1859–1931), minister in the Cape Colony, father to:
- De Villiers Graaff (1913–1999), leader of the United Party, father of:
  - David de Villiers Graaff, Member of Parliament.

Goniwe

Matthew Goniwe (1947–1985), member of the Cradock Four, uncle to:
- Mbulelo Goniwe, Member of Parliament.^[6]

Groenewald

Pieter Groenewald, leader of the Freedom Front Plus, father to:
- Michal Groenewald, Member of Parliament.

Gumede

Josiah Gumede (1867–1946), founding member of the South African Native National Congress, father to:
- Archie Gumede (1914–1998), leader of the United Democratic Front, father to:
  - Donald Gumede, Member of Parliament.

Hendrickse

Allan Hendrickse (1927–2005), leader of the Labour Party, father to:
- Peter Hendrickse, Member of Parliament.
- Michael Hendrickse, Member of Parliament.
- Marie-Louise Hendrickse; formerly married to Desmond Lockey, Member of Parliament.

Hlengwa

Mhlabunzima Hlengwa (1945–2005), Member of Parliament, father to:
- Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Member of Parliament.

Kadalie

Clements Kadalie (1896–1951), founder of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union of Africa, father to:
- Fenner Kadalie (1928–2011), pastor and activist in District Six, father to:
  - Rhoda Kadalie (1953–2022), activist, mother to:
    - Julia Pollak, economist; married to Joel Pollak, editor of Breitbart News.^[7]

Koornhof

Piet Koornhof (1925–2007), member of cabinet, father to:
- Gerhard Koornhof, Member of Parliament.
Nic Koornhof, Member of Parliament, cousin to Piet.^[8]

Luthuli

Albert Luthuli (c. 1898–1967), leader of the African National Congress, father to:
- Albertina Luthuli, Member of Parliament.

Mahlangu

David Mabhoko Mahlangu (Mabusabesala II), King of the Southern Ndebele–Ndzundza, father to:
- Cornelius Mahlangu (Mayitjha II; 1947–2005), King of the Southern Ndebele–Ndzundza from 1992 to 2005.
- James Mahlangu (1953–2005), Chief Minister of KwaNdebele from 1990 to 1994.

Manana

Sibongile Manana, Member of Parliament, mother to:
- Mduduzi Manana, Member of Parliament.^[9]

Mandela and Machel

Nelson Mandela (1918–2013), President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, grandfather to:
- Mandla Mandela, Member of Parliament.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (1936–2018), Member of Parliament, second wife of Nelson.
Graça Machel, First Lady of Mozambique from 1975 to 1983 and First Lady of South Africa from 1998 to 1999, third wife of Nelson; formerly married to Samora Machel (1933–1986), President of Mozambique from 1975 to 1983.

Mantashe

Gwede Mantashe, member of cabinet.
Tozama Mantashe (1960–2021), Member of Parliament, sister to Gwede.

Mashinini

Nomkhitha Virginia Mashinini, political activist, mother to:
- Tsietsi Mashinini, political activist.

Matanzima

Kaiser Matanzima (1915–2003), Prime Minister of Transkei from 1976 to 1979, President of Transkei from 1979 to 1986, grandfather to:
- Lwandile Zwelenkosi Matanzima (c. 1970–2010), traditional leader in Western Thembuland.
George Matanzima (1918–2000), Prime Minister of Transkei from 1979 to 1987, brother to Kaiser, father to:
- Qaqambile Matanzima (1949–2013), officer in the Transkei Defence Force and South African National Defence Force.

Matthews

Z. K. Matthews (1901–1968), political activist, father to:
- Joe Matthews (1929–2010), Member of Parliament, father to:
  - Naledi Pandor (née Matthews), member of cabinet.^[10]

Mbeki

Govan Mbeki (1910–2001), defendant in the Rivonia Trial; married to Epainette Mbeki, political activist; father to:
- Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa from 1999 to 2008, father to:
  - Kwanda Mbeki, political activist.
- Moeletsi Mbeki, political activist.

Meer

Fatima Meer (1928–2010), political activist; married to Ismail Chota Meer (1918–2000), Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature; mother to:
- Shehnaz Meer, judge of the Land Claims Court.
Farouk Meer, political activist, brother to Fatima.^[11]

Mncwango

Albert Mncwango, Member of Parliament, uncle to:
- Zwakele Mncwango, Member of Parliament.

Moosa

Valli Moosa, member of cabinet.
Mohseen Moosa, Member of Parliament, brother to Valli.

Morkel

Gerald Morkel (1941–2018), Premier of the Western Cape, father to:
- Kent Morkel, Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.
- Craig Morkel, Member of Parliament.^[12]

Motsepe

Augustine Motsepe (1915–2007), chief of the Bakgatla-Ba-Mmakau, father to:
- Patrice Motsepe, businessman; married to Precious Moloi, businesswoman.
- Bridgette Radebe (née Motsepe), businesswoman; married to Jeff Radebe, member of cabinet.
- Tshepo Motsepe, First Lady of South Africa; married to Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa since 2018.^[13]

Motsoaledi

Elias Motsoaledi (1924–1994), political activist; paternal uncle to:
- Aaron Motsoaledi, member of cabinet.

Mulder

Connie Mulder (1925–1988), cabinet minister, father to:
- Pieter Mulder, Member of Parliament.
- Corné Mulder, Member of Parliament.

Nchabeleng

Peter Nchabeleng (1928–1986), political activist, father to:
- Elleck Nchabeleng, Member of Parliament.

Ngubane

Ben Ngubane (1941–2021), member of cabinet.
Harriet Ngubane (1929–2007), Member of Parliament, sister to Ben.

Ntsebeza

Dumisa Ntsebeza, lawyer and political activist.
Lungisile Ntsebeza, sociologist and political activist, brother to Dumisa.^[14]

Ntuli (Cato Ridge)

Bheki Ntuli, eThekwini politician, uncle to:
- Mdumiseni Ntuli, African National Congress politician.
- Thembo Ntuli, African National Congress politician.

Pahad

Amina Pahad, activist; wife of Goolam Pahad, activist; mother to:
- Aziz Pahad, member of cabinet.
- Essop Pahad, member of cabinet.

Pheko

Charlotte Pheko-Lobe, Member of Parliament.
Gertrude Pheko-Mothupi, Member of the Free State Provincial Legislature, sister to Charlotte.^[15]

Sebe

Lennox Sebe (1926–1994), a chief minister of the Xhosa Bantustan of Ciskei.
Charles Sebe (died c. 1991), a leader of the Ciskei Defence Force, the military of the Bantustan of Ciskei, and its Director of State Security; younger brother of Lennox Sebe.

Shaik

Moe Shaik, anti-apartheid activist and civil servant.
Schabir Shaik, anti-apartheid activist and businessman, brother to Moe.
Yunus Shaik, anti-apartheid activist and businessman, brother to Moe and Schabir.
Chippy Shaik, anti-apartheid activist and civil servant, brother to Moe, Schabir, and Yunus.

Schreiner

William Schreiner (1857–1919), Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1989 to 1900, father to:
- Olive Schreiner (1855–1920), author and activist.
- Oliver Schreiner (1890–1980), Supreme Court judge, grandfather to:
  - Jenny Schreiner, Member of Parliament.^[16]

Shope

Mark Shope, trade unionist; married to Gertrude Shope, Member of Parliament; father to:
- Ntombi Shope, Member of Parliament.
- Sheila Sithole, Member of Parliament.
- Lyndall Shope-Mafole, Member of Parliament.

Sigcau

Botha Sigcau (died 1978), President of Transkei from 1976 to 1978, father to:
- Stella Sigcau (1937–2006), Prime Minister of Transkei in 1987.
- Ntsikayezwe Sigcau (1947–1996), Member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature.

Sisulu

Walter Sisulu, political activist; married to Albertina Sisulu, Member of Parliament; father to:
- Max Sisulu, Member of Parliament; married to Elinor Sisulu, academic and activist.
- Mlungisi Sisulu, business and activist.
- Zwelakhe Sisulu, activist and journalist.
- Lindiwe Sisulu, member of cabinet.
- Beryl Sisulu, diplomat.

Tambo

Oliver Tambo, leader of the African National Congress; married to Adelaide Tambo, Member of Parliament; father to:
- Dali Tambo, activist and media personality.
- Nomatemba Tambo, diplomat and politician.

Verwoerd and Boshoff

Hendrik Verwoerd (1901–1966), Prime Minister of South Africa from 1958 to 1966, married to Betsie Verwoerd (1901–2000); father to:
- Wilhelm Verwoerd; formerly married to Melanie Verwoerd, Member of Parliament.
- Anna Boshoff (died 2007); married to Carel Boshoff (1927–2011), founder of Orania; mother to:
  - Carel Boshoff IV, Member of the Northern Cape Legislature and leader of Orania.
  - Wynand Boshoff, Member of Parliament.^[17]

Zulu and Buthelezi

Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo (1868–1913), King of the Zulus from 1884 to 1913, father to:
- Solomon kaDinizulu (1890–1933), King of the Zulus from 1913 to 1933, father to:
  - Mcwayizeni Zulu (1931–1999), Member of Parliament.^[18]
  - Cyprian Bhekuzulu (1924–1968), King of the Zulus from 1948 to 1968, father to:
    - Goodwill Zwelithini (1948–2021), King of the Zulus from 1971 to 2021, father to:
      - Misuzulu Zulu, King of the Zulus since 2021.
- Magogo kaDinuzulu (1900–1984), mother to:
  - Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Chief Minister of KwaZulu, father to:
    - Angela Buthelezi, Member of Parliament.
- Phikisele Harriet kaDinuzulu; married to Pixley ka Seme (1881–1951), president of the African National Congress.^[19]

Zuma

Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, father to:
- Duduzane Zuma, businessman and media personality.
- Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, politician and media personality.
- Thuthukile Zuma, civil servant and media personality.
- Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube, media personality; daughter-in-law of Welshman Ncube, leader of Movement for Democratic Change – Ncube.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, member of cabinet, formerly married to Jacob, mother of Thuthukile and Gugulethu.
Hlobisile Dlamini, sister of Nkosazana.

Other marriages

Rusty Bernstein and Hilda Bernstein
Steve Biko and Mamphela Ramphele
Andries Botha and Sandra Botha
Hendry Cupido and Pauline Cupido
Paul Ditshetelo and Celia Ditshetelo
Henry Fazzie and Buyiswa Fazzie
Sipho Gcabashe and Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe
Chris Hani and Limpho Hani
Ahmed Kathrada and Barbara Hogan
Ronnie Kasrils and Eleanor Kasrils
Jacob Khawe and Thuliswa Nkabinde-Khawe
Jacob Khawe and Khusela Diko
Gcina Malindi and Caroline Nicholls
George Mashamba and Joyce Mashamba
Ismail Chota Meer and Fatima Meer
Zibuse Mlaba and Bongi Sithole-Moloi
Mendi Msimang and Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
Abraham Mzizi and Gertrude Mzizi
Bulelani Ngcuka and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Sifiso Nkabinde and Nonhlanhla Nkabinde
Charles Nqakula and Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Mamabolo Nwedamutswu and Thembi Nwedamutswu
Mathole Motshekga and Angie Motshekga
Griffiths Mxenge and Victoria Mxenge
Mathews Phosa and Pinky Phosa
Vusi Pikoli and Girly Pikoli
Amichand Rajbansi and Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi
Zola Saphetha and Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha
Steve Tshwete and Pam Tshwete
Ben Turok and Mary Turok
Tony Yengeni and Lumka Yengeni

References

^ Malan, Marlene (19 September 2004). "Money behind break-up". News24. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
^ "Fearless Blackburn made real difference". IOL. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
^ Herbstein, Denis (2008-07-08). "Brian Bunting". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
^ "Tributes pour in for author, political activist Achmat Dangor". IOL. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
^ Cobbett, William (1995). "Joe Slovo: Mensch". Review of African Political Economy. 22 (63): 95–97. ISSN 0305-6244.
^ "Kak praat". The Mail & Guardian. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
^ Thamm, Marianne (2022-04-17). "Rhoda Kadalie, friend and mentor, political provocateur and groot bek". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
^ Gunning, Eugene (14 November 2007). "Dr Koornhof was 'funny, honest'". News24. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
^ "Manana stays on as an MP". News24. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
^ "Former deputy minister Joe Matthews dies". The Mail & Guardian. 2010-08-19. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
^ Vahed, Goolam H. (2012). Muslim portraits: the anti-apartheid struggle. Durban, South Africa. pp. 222–246. ISBN 978-1-874945-25-3. OCLC 858966865.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^ "ANC gets majority rule — in Morkel family". The Mail & Guardian. 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
^ "Father of SA tycoon dies". IOL. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
^ "Who is... Dumisa Ntsebeza?". The Mail & Guardian. 1997-11-07. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
^ "Free State municipal mafia foiled". The Mail & Guardian. 2006-04-07. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
^ Dominy, Graham A. (2022). "Schreiner family narratives: Written and oral sources in biographical research". HTS Theological Studies. 78 (3): 1–12. doi:10.4102/hts.v78i3.7693. ISSN 0259-9422.
^ "Verwoerd's grandson on his way to Parliament". News24. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
^ "The Affable Man Who Has Ousted Buthelezi". The Mail & Guardian. 1994-09-23. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
^ Samayende, Sizwe (2004-01-12). "Struggle hero honoured". News24. Retrieved 2017-05-15.

[1] Malan, Marlene (19 September 2004). "Money behind break-up". News24. Retrieved 2023-05-12.

[:1-2] "Fearless Blackburn made real difference". IOL. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2023.

[:0-3] Herbstein, Denis (2008-07-08). "Brian Bunting". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-04-21.

[4] "Tributes pour in for author, political activist Achmat Dangor". IOL. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2023.

[5] Cobbett, William (1995). "Joe Slovo: Mensch". Review of African Political Economy. 22 (63): 95–97. ISSN 0305-6244.

[6] "Kak praat". The Mail & Guardian. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2023-04-23.

[7] Thamm, Marianne (2022-04-17). "Rhoda Kadalie, friend and mentor, political provocateur and groot bek". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-05-27.

[8] Gunning, Eugene (14 November 2007). "Dr Koornhof was 'funny, honest'". News24. Retrieved 2023-04-21.

[9] "Manana stays on as an MP". News24. 20 August 2017. Retrieved 2023-04-13.

[10] "Former deputy minister Joe Matthews dies". The Mail & Guardian. 2010-08-19. Retrieved 2023-05-20.

[:12-11] Vahed, Goolam H. (2012). Muslim portraits: the anti-apartheid struggle. Durban, South Africa. pp. 222–246. ISBN 978-1-874945-25-3. OCLC 858966865.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

[:03-12] "ANC gets majority rule — in Morkel family". The Mail & Guardian. 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2023-05-21.

[13] "Father of SA tycoon dies". IOL. 25 June 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2023.

[:13-14] "Who is... Dumisa Ntsebeza?". The Mail & Guardian. 1997-11-07. Retrieved 2024-07-12.

[15] "Free State municipal mafia foiled". The Mail & Guardian. 2006-04-07. Retrieved 2023-05-16.

[16] Dominy, Graham A. (2022). "Schreiner family narratives: Written and oral sources in biographical research". HTS Theological Studies. 78 (3): 1–12. doi:10.4102/hts.v78i3.7693. ISSN 0259-9422.

[17] "Verwoerd's grandson on his way to Parliament". News24. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 2023-06-08.

[:2-18] "The Affable Man Who Has Ousted Buthelezi". The Mail & Guardian. 1994-09-23. Retrieved 2023-04-15.

[:02-19] Samayende, Sizwe (2004-01-12). "Struggle hero honoured". News24. Retrieved 2017-05-15.

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