Raymond Mhlaba

Raymond Mhlaba
Premier of the Eastern Cape
In office
7 May 1994 – 4 February 1997
Preceded byPosition Established
Succeeded byMakhenkesi Stofile
High Commissioner to Uganda and Rwanda
In office
1997–2001
PresidentNelson Mandela
Thabo Mbeki
Overall Commander of Umkhonto weSizwe
In office
August 1962 – July 1963
Preceded byNelson Mandela
Succeeded byWilton Mkwayi
Personal details
Born
Raymond Mphakamisi Mhlaba

(1920-02-12)12 February 1920
Fort Beaufort, Cape Province (now Eastern Cape), South Africa
Died20 February 2005(2005-02-20) (aged 85)
Political partyAfrican National Congress
South African Communist Party
Spouse(s)
(m. 1943; died 1960)

(m. 1986)
Children8 children including:
Bukeka Mhlaba (daughter)
Nomalungelo Mhlaba (daughter)
Jongintshaba Mhlaba (son)
Mpilo Mhlaba (son)
Nomawethu Mhlaba (daughter)
Nikiwe Mhlaba (daughter)

Raymond Mphakamisi Mhlaba OMSG (12 February 1920 – 20 February 2005) was an anti-apartheid activist, Communist and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) also as well the first premier of the Eastern Cape. Mhlaba spent 25 years of his life in prison. Well known for being sentenced, along with Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and others in the Rivonia Trial, he was an active member of the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) all his adult life. His kindly manner brought him the nickname "Oom Ray".