Government has re-appointed Tsepe Motumi as acting Secretary of Defence (Sec Def) following the death of predecessor January Masilela in a car crash in August.
Motumi was initially appointed for a month from 26 August to 26 September. This term has now been lengthened, Department of Defence spokesman Simphiwe Dlamini says.
Motumi was head of defence international relations at the time of his most recent appointment. He was previously Chief of Policy and Planning, a post that carries the rank of deputy director general.
Motumi`s biography
Motumi`s biography
Motumi was born in Soweto and matriculated at Lobone High School. He furthered his education and attained the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science at the University of Witwatersrand, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Strategic Studies at University of South Africa and the Masters of Management Degree at the University of Witwatersrand.
He has also written and published three chapters to different books as well as authored several articles in journal publications.
Between 1985 and 1990, Motumi served uMkhonto we Sizwe in various capacities, including the Underground Section of the Internal Political Committee of the Politico-Military Council.
He underwent military training in Angola in 1985-6 and in the former Soviet Union in 1988 and 1989.
Whilst studying full time at the University of Witwatersrand over the period 1991-1993, he was also employed on a part-time basis by Convention for a Democratic South Africa, the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions and Department of Education and Training.
He graduated with a BA degree in politics, sociology and anthropology. A period of research on behalf of Transnet, the state transport utility, followed. In 1993 he was part of a project researching the social integration of returning exiles.
Next (1993-1995) followed a spell as a researcher in military sociology at the Institute for Defence Policy (now the Institute for Security Studies). This included a year (1994) as an exchange Senior Research Fellow in War Studies at King`s College, London.
In early 1996 he accepted an appointment in the Department of Defence as a Director Human Resources Policy. In May 1995 he was promoted to the position of Chief Director Defence Policy and in February 2000, over and above his responsibilities coupled to the latter post, he was appointed the as the Acting Chief of Policy and Planning of the Department.
He was appointed as the Chief of Policy and Planning and promoted to deputy director general with effect from 1 November 2001.
Motumi is married with two children.
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