Mapula Motlanthe

Mapula Motlanthe (née Mopate) is the former First Lady of South Africa and the ex-wife of former President of South Africa and Robben Island prisoner Kgalema Motlanthe.

Mapula Motlanthe
Interim
First Lady of South Africa
In role
25 September 2008 – 9 May 2009
PresidentKgalema Motlanthe
Preceded byZanele Mbeki
Succeeded by
Personal details
Born
Mapula Mopate
NationalitySouth African
Political partyAfrican National Congress
Spouse(s)Kgalema Motlanthe (1976–2010)
ChildrenKagiso
Kgomotso
Nthabiseng

Biography

Mapula Mopate came from Sophiatown and spoke Tswana.[1] Mapula started their relationship with Kgalema Motlanthe during the apartheid years and they married in 1977. Their children are Kagiso and Kgomotso.[2] She worked as a radiographer in Leratong Hospital in Mogale City.[3] Their first child was born in 1972.[1]

After their marriage she lived with her husband's family[1] and their second child, her husband was arrested and sent to Robben Island. Whilst he was in prison she gave birth to a daughter, Ntabiseng. Ntabiseng was not told that she had a different father until she was 21.[4]

Resignation of Thabo Mbeki and succession of husband

In 2008 then ANC president and President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki resigned as the president of South Africa. Kgalema Motlante was chosen by the NEC to become the 4th democratic and 3rd post-Apartheid president of South Africa.

Motlanthe was sworn in as president at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, and Mapula became the first lady of the country.[3]

2009 General Elections

In 2009 Kgalema Motlante was succeeded by former Deputy President of South Africa Jacob Zuma, as the new South African President, Kgalema was chosen to become the country deputy president.

Divorce

Mapula and Kgalema started to divorce in 2011, and in 2014 they came to an amicable settlement. She received a monthly allowance and two houses. She and her husband had been separated for a number of years.[4]

References
  1. Ebrahim Harvey (2012). Kgalema Motlanthe: A Political Biography. Jacana Media. pp. 22–. ISBN 978-1-4314-0438-4.
  2. Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe, SAHistoryOnline, Retrieved 5 May 2016
  3. Mapula Motlanthe, Who's Who SA, Retrieved 5 May 2016
  4. Motlanthe, ex-wife settle divorce, Solly Maphumulo, Cape Times, Retrieved 5 May 2016
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