ANC SADDENED AT THE PASSING OF COMRADE DON MKHWANAZI

2 July 2016

The African National Congress (ANC) is saddened to learn of the passing of prominent businessman and longstanding ANC member and supporter, Comrade Don Mkhwanazi. 

His passing deals a great blow to the ANC of which he was an active and committed member, as well as to the black business fraternity in which he was a towering figure – playing a formative role in driving Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).

Mkhwanazi was born on April 11 1953 in Durban and throughout his career, nurtured his ties with the province of Kwa-Zulu/Natal, serving as chair of the Durban Investment Promotions Agency (DIPA)

As a founder of the Black Management Forum (BMF) he was instrumental in driving the ANC’s agenda of economic transformation, and was a supporter and mentor of many young black businessmen and women: offering advice, skills development and capacity training.

As an ANC activist with a passionate and unwavering commitment to the economic emancipation of black South Africans, he met with the ANC in exile in both Lusaka and London during the eighties to gain greater understanding of the economic policies of the organization, and how this would translate into tangible transformation when democracy arrived.

In 1990 Cde. Don was appointed the ANC’s senior economic advisor and until 1994 worked closely with the ANC on international business relations with former President Thabo Mbeki.

As chairperson of the Apartheid Debt Coordinating Committee at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings he was foremost in exposing business’ contribution to apartheid.

He went on to chair a number of corporations, BEE empowerment and business organizations and state entities, including the Central Energy Fund, and the National Empowerment Fund.

In 1993, together with Dr. Nthato Motlana he founded Methold, the precursor to New Africa Investments Limited (NAIL)

In the 1990’s he was also part of a team set up to promote US/South Africa trade ties.

With the passing of Cde. Don we have lost a pioneer and committed activist – who will be remembered for paving the way for countless numbers of aspirant black businesspeople: and radically transforming the heavily racialized business landscape in our new democracy.

The African National Congress extends its condolences to the Mkhwanazi family and prays for them to have strength during this difficult time.

Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, ANC national spokesperson, 2 July 2016