Indian-origin activist tipped to be inducted in Zuma's cabinet

Durban, May 10 (PTI) Two Indian-origin activists Pravin
Gordhan and Roy Padaychee are tipped to be inducted into the
cabinet headed by Jacob Zuma who was sworn in as South
Africa's fourth president.

Gordhanan, a former anti-apartheid activist of
Indian-origin and the current Commissioner of Revenue is
tipped to become South Africa's next Finance Minister.

Zuma is expected to announce his Cabinet later Sunday.

Gordhan, 60, who is the son of working class Gujrathi
parents, studied at the former University of Durban-Westville,
where he began his anti-apartheid activities. Later, qualified
as a chemist in the late 1970s he worked at a local hospital
during the apartheid days.

The former anti-apartheid activist joined the African
National Congress (ANC) underground and played an important
role in mobilising the Indian-origin community in
organisations such as Durban Housing Action Committee,
anti-South African Indian Council(SAIC) Committee, Natal
Indian Congress and the former United Democratic Front(UDF).

In the 1980s, he was arrested and detained by the then
security police after being considered a "communist" and a
threat to the security of the state.

When the ANC was disbanded in the early 1990s, Gordhan
played an important role in the democratic negotiations as a
leader of the Natal Indian Congress delegation.

In 1994, he was chosen as an ANC member of parliament
and after completing one term was appointed as the
Commissioner of Revenue.

He turned the Revenue Department around into one of the
most efficient and effective organs of the state.

According to political analysts, it's this reputation
as an efficient administrator that has made him a favourite
to replace Mr Trevor Manuel as the Finance Minister.

Another Indian-origin activist who is expected to be
appointed to the government is Padaychee, who is currently
Deputy Minister of Communications.

Like Gordhan, Padaychee has also played a leading role in
the Natal Indian Congress and other anti-apartheid
organisations in South Africa. PTI SB
AM