Leaders of South Africa
(Republic of South Africa)
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Look for biographies of the leaders (in Spanish) at CIDOB website. The site Rulers provides lists with the rulers of the former Homelands and the current Provinces.

Note: From the accession to independence (Union of South Africa, 31 May 1910) to the adoption of the Republic (31 May 1961) the head of the State of the Union of South Africa was the British monarch, represented by a Governor-General.

Parties: ANC: African National Congress - DA: Democratic Alliance - EFF: Economic Freedom Fighters - IFP: Inkatha Freedom Party - NP: National Party - SACP: South African Communist Party - UP: United Party


Heads of the State
Governors-General
Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet         19 Jul 1943 -  1 Jan 1946 (†1960) (acting)
Gideon Brand van Zyl             1 Jan 1946 -  1 Jan 1951 (†1956) 
Ernest George Jansen             1 Jan 1951 - 25 Nov 1959 (†1959) 
Lucas Cornelius Steyn           26 Nov 1959 - 12 Jan 1960 (†1976) (acting)
Charles Robberts Swart          12 Jan 1960 - 30 Apr 1961 (†1982) 
Lucas Cornelius Steyn           30 Apr 1961 - 31 May 1961 (†1976) (acting)

Presidents of the Republic
Charles Robberts Swart          31 May 1961 -  1 Jun 1967 (†1982) NP
Jozua Fran็ois Naud้             1 Jun 1967 - 10 Apr 1968 (†1969) NP (acting)
Jacobus Johannes Fouch้         10 Apr 1968 -  9 Apr 1975 (†1980) NP
Johannes de Klerk                9 Apr 1975 - 19 Apr 1975 (†1979) NP (acting)
Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs    19 Apr 1975 - 21 Aug 1978 (†1978) NP   
Marais Viljoen                  21 Aug 1978 - 10 Oct 1978 (†2007) NP (acting)
Balthazar Johannes Vorster      10 Oct 1978 -  4 Jun 1979 (†1983) NP 
Marais Viljoen                   4 Jun 1979 -  3 Sep 1984 (†2007) NP (acting to 19 Jun 1979)
Pieter Willem Botha              3 Sep 1984 - 15 Aug 1989 (†2006) NP (acting to 14 Sep 1984)
Frederik Willem de Klerk        15 Aug 1989 - 10 May 1994 (†2021) NP (acting to 20 Sep 1989)
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela       10 May 1994 - 16 Jun 1999 (†2013) ANC
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki            16 Jun 1999 - 24 Sep 2008         ANC 
Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri           25 Sep 2008 - 25 Sep 2008 (†2009) ANC (acting, hours)
Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe        25 Sep 2008 -  9 May 2009         ANC
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma        9 May 2009 - 14 Feb 2018         ANC
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa        14 Feb 2018 -                     ANC (acting to 15 Feb 2018)

Prime Ministers
Jan Christiaan Smuts             5 Sep 1939 -  4 Jun 1948 (†1950) military, UP
Dani๋l Fran็ois Malan            4 Jun 1948 - 30 Nov 1954 (†1959) NP
Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom     30 Nov 1954 - 24 Aug 1958 (†1958) NP
Charles Robberts Swart          24 Aug 1958 -  3 Sep 1958 (†1982) NP (acting)
Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd         3 Sep 1958 -  6 Sep 1966 (†1966) NP 
Theophilus Ebenhaezer D๖nges     6 Sep 1966 - 13 Sep 1966 (†1968) NP (acting)
Balthazar Johannes Vorster      13 Sep 1966 - 28 Sep 1978 (†1983) NP
Pieter Willem Botha             28 Sep 1978 - 14 Sep 1984 (†2006) NP

Deputy Presidents of the Republic
Vice State president
Alwyn Schlebusch                 1 Jan 1981 - 14 Sep 1984 (†2008) NP

Deputy presidents
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki (1st)      13 May 1994 - 16 Jun 1999         ANC
Frederik Willem de Klerk (2nd)  13 May 1994 - 30 Jun 1996 (†2021) NP
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma       17 Jun 1999 - 14 Jun 2005         ANC 
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka          23 Jun 2005 - 25 Sep 2008         ANC
Baleka Mbete-Kgositsile         25 Sep 2008 - 10 May 2009         ANC
Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe        10 May 2009 - 26 May 2014         ANC
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa        26 May 2014 - 15 Feb 2018         ANC
David Dabede Mabuza             27 Feb 2018 - 28 Feb 2023         ANC
Paul Shipokosa Mashatile         7 Mar 2023 – 19 Jun 2024         ANC

Chairmen of the Parliament
Speakers of the National Assembly (lower house)
Frene Noshir Ginwala            1994-2004         ANC     
Baleka Mbete-Kgositsile         2004-2008         ANC 
Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde          2008-2009         ANC
Max Sisulu                      2009-2014         ANC
Baleka Mbete-Kgositsile         2014-2019         ANC 
Thandi Modise                   2019-2021         ANC
Solomon Lechesa Tsenoli         2021              SACP (acting)
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula         2021-2024         ANC
Solomon Lechesa Tsenoli         2024              SACP (acting)
Angela Thokozile Didiza         2024-             ANC

Chairperson of the Senate (upper house)
Hendrik Jacobus Kobie Coetsee   1994-1997 (†2000) NP

Chairpersons of the National Council of Provinces (upper house)
Mosiuoa Patrick Lekota          1997-1999         ANC
Naledi Grace Mandisa Pandor     1999-2004         ANC
Joyce Lesawana Kgoali           2004      (†2004) ANC
Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu        2004-2014         ANC (acting to 2005)
Thandi Modise                   2014-2019         ANC
Amos Masondo                    2019-2024         ANC
Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane         2024-             ANC

Foreign Ministers
Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Jan Christian Smuts             1939-1948 (†1950) military, UP
Dani๋l Fran็ois Malan           1948-1954 (†1959) NP
Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom     1954-1955 (†1958) NP
Eric Louw                       1955-1964 (†1968) NP
Hilgard Muller                  1964-1977 (†1985) NP
Roelof Frederik Pik Botha       1977-1994 (†2018) NP
Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo         1994-1999 (†2000) ANC
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma          1999-2009         ANC

Ministers of International Relations
Maite Nkoana-Mashabane          2009-2018         ANC
Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu          2018-2019         ANC
Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor     2019-2024         ANC
Ronald Ozzy Lamola              2024-             ANC

Ministers of Defence
Jan Christian Smuts             1939-1948 (†1950) military, UP
Frans Erasmus                   1948-1959 (†1967) NP
Jacobus Johannes Fouch้         1959-1966 (†1980) NP  
Pieter Willem Botha             1966-1980 (†2006) NP
Magnus Malan                    1980-1991 (†2011) military, NP
Roelof Petrus Roelf Meyer       1991-1992         NP
Gene Louw                       1992-1993 (†2015) NP
Hendrik Jacobus Kobie Coetsee   1993-1994 (†2000) NP
Johannes Joe Modise             1994-1999 (†2001) ANC 
Mosiuoa Patrick Lekota          1999-2008         ANC
Charles Nqakula                 2008-2009         SACP
Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu          2009-2012         ANC
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula         2012-2021         ANC
Thandi Modise                   2021-2024         ANC
Matsie Angie Motshekga          2024-             ANC

Ministers of Home Affairs
Theophilus Ebenhaezer D๖nges    1948-1958 (†1968) NP
Jozua Fran็ois Naud้            1958-1961 (†1969) NP 
Johannes de Klerk               1961-1966 (†1979) NP
Pieter Mattheus Kruger Le Roux  1966-1968 (†1985) NP
Lourens Muller                  1968-1970 (†2005) NP
Marais Viljoen                  1970-1972 (†2007) NP
Connie Mulder                   1972-1978 (†1988) NP 
Alwyn Schlebusch                1978-1980 (†2008) NP   
Jan Christian Heunis            1980-1982 (†2006) NP
Frederik Willem de Klerk        1982-1985 (†2021) NP
Jan Christoffel Stoffel Botha   1985-1989 (†1998) NP
Gene Louw                       1989-1992 (†2015) NP
Louis Pienaar                   1992-1993 (†2012) NP
Danie Schutte                   1993-1994         NP
Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi     1994-2004 (†2023) IFP
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula         2004-2009         ANC
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma          2009-2012         ANC
Naledi Pandor                   2012-2014         ANC
Knowledge Malusi Gigaba         2014-2017         ANC
Hlengiwe Buhle Mkhize           2017      (†2021) ANC
Ayanda Dlodlo                   2017-2018         ANC
Knowledge Malusi Gigaba         2018              ANC
Bonginkosi Blade Nzimande       2018             SACP (acting)
Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele         2018-2019         ANC
Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi        2019-2024         ANC
Leon Amos Schreiber             2024-             DA

Ministers of Finance
Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr             1939-1948 (†1948) UP
Nicolaas Christiaan Havenga     1948-1954 (†1957) NP
Eric Louw                       1954-1956 (†1968) NP
Jozua Fran็ois Naud้            1956–1958 (†1969) NP
Theophilus Ebenhaezer D๖nges    1958-1967 (†1968) NP
Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs    1967-1975 (†1978) NP 
Owen Pieter Faure Horwood       1975–1984 (†1998) NP  
Barend Jacobus du Plessis       1984–1992         NP
Derek Lyle Keys                 1992-1994 (†2018) NP
Christo Ferro Liebenberg        1994-1996         n/p
Trevor Andrew Manuel            1996-2009         ANC
Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan         2009-2014         ANC
Nhlanhla Musa Nene              2014-2015         ANC
David Douglas van Rooyen        2015              ANC
Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan         2015-2017         ANC
Knowledge Malusi Gigaba         2017-2018         ANC
Nhlanhla Musa Nene              2018              ANC
Tito Titus Mboweni              2018-2021 (†2024) ANC
Enoch Godongwana                2021-             ANC

Leaders of ANC
Presidents
Alfred Bitini Xuma              1940-1949 (†1962) 
James Sebe Moroka               1949-1952 (†1985) 
Albert John Lutuli              1952-1967 (†1967)     
Oliver Reginald Tambo           1967-1991 (†1993) (acting to 1969)
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela       1991-1997 (†2013)       
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki            1997-2007         
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma       2007-2017
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa        2017-

Deputy Presidents
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela       1952-1958 (†2013)
Oliver Reginald Tambo           1958-1969 (†1993) 
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela       1990-1991 (†2013)  
Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu        1991-1994 (†2003) 
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki            1994-1997       
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma       1997-2007        
Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe        2007-2012
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa        2012-2017
David Dabede Mabuza             2017-2022
Paul Shipokosa Mashatile        2022-

Secretaries-General
James Arthur Calata             1936-1949 (†1983) 
Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu        1949-1955 (†2003) 
Oliver Reginald Tambo           1955-1958 (†1993) 
Duma Dumasile Nokwe             1958-1969 (†1978) 
Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo         1969-1991 (†2000) 
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa        1991-1997         
Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe        1997-2007 
Gwede Mantashe                  2007-2017
Elias Sekgobelo (Ace) Magashule 2017-2022 (suspended 2021)
Yasmin (Jessie) Duarte          2021-2022 (acting for Magashule)     
Paul Shipokosa Mashatile        2022      (acting for Magashule)  
Fikile April Mbalula            2022-

National Chairpersons
Oliver Reginald Tambo           1991-1993 (†1993)     
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki            1993-1994        
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma       1994-1997        
Mosiuoa Patrick Lekota          1997-2007
Baleka Mbete-Kgositsile         2007-2017
Samson Gwede Mantashe           2017-             

Leaders of DA
Federal Leaders
Anthony James (Tony) Leon       2000-2007
Otta Helen Zille                2007-2015
Mmusi Aloysias Maimane          2015-2019
John Henry Steenhuisen          2019-     (interim to 2020)

Federal Chairpersons
Wetshotsile Joseph Seremane     2000-2010
Wilmot Godfrey James            2010-2015
Roland Athol Price Trollip      2015-2019
Ivan Henry Meyer                2019-     (interim to 2020)

Leaders of EFF
President
Julius Sello Malema             2013-

Deputy President
Nyiko Floyd Shivambu            2013-

Chairpersons
Dali Mpofu                      2014-2019
Ntombovuyo Veronica Mente       2019-

General Secretaries
Godrich Ahmed Gardee            2014-2019
Marshall Mzingisi Dlamini       2019-

Presidents of IFP
Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi     1975-2019 (†2023)
Velenkosini Fiki Hlabisa        2019-

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