Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile (born 27 December 1944) is a South African politician, and was Minister of Sport and Recreation from 2004 to 2010. [1][2]
Stofile was born in Adelaide in the Eastern Cape.[3] He studied towards a masters degree in Theology at the University of Fort Hare, and he also obtained a Master of Arts from Princeton University in 1983.
Stofile joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1963. He was charged with harbouring of terrorists by the Ciskei government and served a three year jail sentence.
Stofile is also an ordained minister of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
Stofile was not only a politician and church man, but also a great sportsman. He played scrum-half and wing for the Border Rugby team, and was a loud voice in the campaign towards non-racial sports.
In 1984 he travelled to New Zealand where he led a successful campaign against the planned All Blacks' tour of South Africa.
After the 1994 democratic elections, Stofile was the ANC's chief whip in parliament. He held that position until his appointment as Premier of the Eastern Cape in 1997.
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Raymond Mhlaba |
Premier of the Eastern Cape 4 February 1997 – 26 April 2004 |
Succeeded by Nosimo Balindlela |
Preceded by Ngconde Balfour |
Minister of Sport and Recreation 2004 – present |
Incumbent |
|
|
|
|