Hanging Out with Derek Hanekom

702's Clement Manyathela is joined by retired politician, activist and former cabinet minister Derek Hanekom.

Listen below:

Derek Hanekom is a former member of cabinet who led various ministries, but he is also someone whose personal history is deeply intertwined with the struggle for justice and democracy.

Most recently he has served as an interim Non-Executive Director and chairperson on the Interim Board of Directors for South African Airways.

As far as politics is concerned, that's history, he says.

"I'm not involved in any formal party structures, and I don't want to be at this stage of my life!"

- Derek Hanekom, former Cabinet Minister

Born and raised in Cape Town to activist parents, it's not hard to trace where Hanekom's own love of politics began.

Both of his parents, he says, were activists in a situation where "the majority of white people were supportive of apartheid." 

"[They were part of] a minority of white people that somehow became involved in democratic activities, activism, anti-apartheid work etc."

- Derek Hanekom, former Cabinet Minister

He admits that there were times in his childhood when he often felt 'different'.

An 'outsider', he says...

"It didn't bother me... in the German school, I was a non-German speaking kid, I went to the Afrikaans school and Afrikaans wasn't quite my first language... and to crown it all, I was not a member of the NG Kerk, I was Catholic."

- Derek Hanekom, former Cabinet Minister

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.