Tsiame Kenneth Mopeli (20 September 1930 – 1 October 2014)[1] was the former chief minister of the South African bantustan of QwaQwa.

Tsiame Kenneth Mopeli
Chief Executive Councillor, QwaQwa
In office
1975–1975
Preceded byWessel Motha
Succeeded bynone
Chief Minister, QwaQwa
In office
1975–1994
Preceded bynone
Succeeded bynone
Personal details
Born(1930-09-20)20 September 1930
Namahadi, Union of South Africa
Died1 October 2014(2014-10-01) (aged 84)
Phuthaditjhaba, Republic of South Africa
Cause of deathCancer
Political partyDikwankwetla Party
Alma materUniversity of South Africa
OccupationTeacher, radio announcer

Born in Namahadi, Mopeli earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) at the University of South Africa in 1954 and worked as a teacher and radio announcer for the South African Broadcasting Corporation before being nominated for membership of the QwaQwa Territorial Authority.

Mopeli founded and led the Dikwankwetla Party to victory at the 19 May 1975 QwaQwa elections and subsequently become the chief minister of QwaQwa. He spent much of his time as chief minister confronting the South African government over various issues, most significantly over demands for more territory to be annexed to QwaQwa, and could boast of South Africa acquiescing to his demands, with some adjoining land (albeit small) added to the bantustan.

During his time as chief minister, Mopeli oversaw the foundation of the University of Qwa Qwa, which in 2003 was incorporated as a campus of the University of the Free State; the soccer stadium Charles Mopeli Stadium and the Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Hospital were built and opened during his time in office.

Described as "rotund, avuncular and unbending" by one observer, Mopeli ruled QwaQwa until 26 April 1994 when the bantustan was reintegrated into South Africa.

Dr. Mopeli died at the age of 84 on 1 October 2014, at Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Hospital after a long struggle with cancer.

References

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  1. ^ Tladi Moloi (8 October 2014). "A Hero Has Fallen". express-news.co.za. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
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