Bantubonke "Bantu" Harrington Holomisa, Mr

Major General (Retired) Bantubonke Holomisa was appointed as Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans from 3 July 2024.
He co-founded the United Democratic Movement (UDM) on 27 September 1997 and serves as its elected President. He is a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the UDM.

He was the Commander of the Transkei Defence Force and Head of the Transkei Government (former independent homeland from 1987 to 1994) up to the first National Elections in South Africa in 1994. He was one of the first two black persons accepted by the South African Army College to do a one-year senior staff course for officers in 1984.

Between 1988 and 1989, the then Transkei Government led by Mr Holomisa, unbanned approximately 33 organisations that were banned by his predecessors. His government worked closely with the liberation movements and as a result Transkei had a smooth transition prior to the 1994 National Elections. Mr Holomisa also led the Transkei delegation to the Convention for a Democratic South Africa negotiations.

The African National Congress (ANC) Election Committee asked him to campaign nationwide alongside Mr Thabo Mbeki, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as the late Mr Nelson Mandela, Mr Joe Slovo, Mrs Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Mr Steve Tshwete during the 1994 general elections. In the same year he received the most votes at the ANC National Congress. Mr Holomisa also served as the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism of South Africa in the Government of National Unity. 

In 1996, Mr Holomisa was expelled from the ANC after testifying at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about issues and activities concerning the Transkei. He refused to retract his testimony arguing that his testimony was historical knowledge.
He spearheaded the cessation of the culling of elephants in the Kruger National Park and with the assistance of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a herd of around 35 animals was transferred to the Addo Elephant National Park. 

Mr Holomisa has played a leading role in the establishment of Champions of the Environment Foundation, an autonomous and apolitical group formed to meet the urgent need for a coordinated campaign to heighten national awareness of environmental conservation issues and best practices benefiting South Africa.

Through his annual Bantu Holomisa Charity Golf Day, he has donated to several churches. 

Mr Holomisa has addressed many international forums and has also mediated in numerous conflicts. He served as the Deputy Chairperson of the National Defence Force Service Commission for nine years. He serves on the Defence, as well as on the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Portfolio Committees of the National Assembly.

In 2017 author and political journalist Eric Naki penned: “Bantu Holomisa: The Game Changer: an Authorised Biography” which gives a detailed and frank account of Mr Holomisa’s life.

Mr Holomisa is an able athlete who has played rugby, soccer and tennis and was vice-captain of the Parliamentary Rugby Squad from 1994-1996.