- published: 18 Aug 2014
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Derek Andre Hanekom (b. 13 January 1953, Cape Town) is the current South African Deputy Minister of Science and Technology. He has held this position since 2004 when he was appointed by President Thabo Mbeki. He was reappointed in this position by President Kgalema Motlanthe in September 2008, and again by President Jacob Zuma in May 2009. He has a strong ANC history having served 2 years in prison for the work he did for the ANC, during apartheid, with his wife Dr. Trish Hanekom who served three years for her involvement.
He is also the former Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs under the Nelson Mandela government. Hanekom's tenure as of Minister of Land Affairs was reflective of his career in the anti-apartheid NGO Sector and was selected by Mandela because of his ability, as an Afrikaner, to negotiate with white land owners. Hanekom's tenure as minister was marked by an affinity for redistribution as opposed to retribution, and rights as opposed to property. This marks a strong contrast with his replacement by the Mbeki government with Thoko Didiza, a middle class ANC cadre. He is currently the chairperson of the disciplinary committee of the African National Congress.