Govan Mbeki

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Govan Mbeki" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Govan Mbeki
Under arrest in 1963
Co-Deputy Chairperson of National Council of Provinces *alongside Bulelani Ngcuka
In office 1997–1999
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	Naledi Pandor
Deputy President of Senate of South Africa
In office 1994–1997
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	position renamed
Secretary of MK
In office 1961–1963
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	position abolished
Personal details
Born	Govan Archibald Mvunyelwa Mbeki (1910-07-09)9 July 1910 Mpukane Location, Nqamakwe district, Union of South Africa[1]
Died	30 August 2001(2001-08-30) (aged 91) Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa
Political party	African National Congress South African Communist Party
Spouse	Epainette Mbeki ​ (m. 1940)​
Children	Linda Mbeki (daughter; born 1941, died 2003) Thabo Mbeki (son; born 1942) Moeletsi Mbeki (son; born 1945) Jama Mbeki (son; born 1948, died 1982)
Occupation	anti-apartheid activist

Govan Archibald Mvunyelwa Mbeki (9 July 1910 – 30 August 2001) was a South African politician, military commander, Communist leader who served as the Secretary of Umkhonto we Sizwe, at its inception in 1961. He was also the son of Chief Sikelewu Mbeki and Johanna Mahala and also the father of the former South African president Thabo Mbeki and political economist Moeletsi Mbeki. He was a leader of the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress. After the Rivonia Trial, he was imprisoned (1963–1987) on charges of terrorism and treason, together with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Raymond Mhlaba, Ahmed Kathrada and other eminent ANC leaders, for their role in the ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He was sometimes mentioned by his nickname "Oom Gov".