Are you wondering how old Bheki Cele, the current Minister of Police in South Africa, is? It's a common question that pops up from time to time. In this article, we will delve into his age, updated as of 2021.
Early Years of Bheki Cele
Bheki Cele was born on 22 February 1952 in Durban, South Africa. Thus, he grew up during the Apartheid era, a system of institutionalized racial segregation that was enforced by the National Party governments of South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
Bheki Cele's Political and Professional Career
Cele joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1979, where he became the chairperson of the ANC Youth League branch in the Natal Midlands. In 1980, Cele was detained under section 6 of the Terrorism Act for two years, and he subsequently went into exile in 1987.
Following the first democratic elections in 1994, Cele served as the MEC for Transport in KwaZulu-Natal. He also served as the MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, and later as the MEC for Transport, Community Safety, and Liaison before becoming the Provincial Chairperson of the ANC.
In 2009, Bheki Cele was appointed National Police Commissioner by former President Jacob Zuma. During his tenure, Cele was widely praised for his hardline stance against crime and corruption. However, his time as National Police Commissioner was fraught with controversy, and he was eventually fired by President Zuma in June 2012 due to allegations of misconduct.
Despite the controversy surrounding his firing, Cele remained an influential figure within the ANC and was eventually appointed as the Minister of Police in May 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Bheki Cele's Age
As previously mentioned, Bheki Cele was born on 22 February 1952. Therefore, as of 2021, Bheki Cele is 69 years old.
Bheki Cele in Comparison with Other South African Politicians
When compared to other high-ranking South African politicians, Bheki Cele is relatively young. For instance, former President Jacob Zuma was born on 12 April 1942, making him 79 years old as of 2021. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa was born on 17 November 1952, making him 68 years old as of 2021.
Bheki Cele's Age and Future Career
Given his current age, many South Africans speculate that Bheki Cele may not have many years left in his political career. Nevertheless, the Minister of Police has never shied away from controversy and has remained a prominent figure within the ANC.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Bheki Cele, but for now, he appears to be in good health and continues to serve as South Africa's Minister of Police.
