Apartheid struggle hero and modern day presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj is set to hang up his political boots at the end of April, the Presidency announced today.

Maharaj, who served as a member of the African National Congress’ armed wing Umkhonto weSizwe, will retire at the end of the month and was thanked for his efforts by the ruling party. This from News24:

Mr Maharaj, President Zuma’s former Special Envoy and former Cabinet Minister in South Africa’s first democratic administration, turns 80 years old in April this year and has decided “it is time to slow down a bit”.

“We wish to thank Mr Maharaj for this special service to the president and the country and wish him well in his retirement,” said President Jacob Zuma.

He will be replaced by Harold Maloka, Deputy Director-General in the Government Communication and Information System, who will hold the position from May until a permanent replacement is named.

Maharaj is much revered for his role in the negotiations that took place ahead of our first democratic elections, playing his part as joint secretary in 1994 of the Transitional Executive Council. He held the role as presidential spokesperson from 2011.

This should give him plenty of time to plan his next April Fool’s joke, after his attempt this year was met with mixed reactions.

[source:news24]