Formerly: Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature and National Assembly
Deputy Minister Mcebisi Hubert Jonas was born in 1960 in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape. He matriculated at Newewell High School in Port Elizabeth and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History & Sociology at Vista University. He furthered his studies with a Higher Diploma in Education at Rhodes University. Mr Jonas became active in politics from the age of 14. He led a number of political activities in the Port Elizabeth area and launched underground structures in the Eastern Cape and beyond. He was inspired by the politics of the black Consciousness movement in the early 80’s and was an organiser of Azaso (Azanian Students Organisation). He played a key role in the establishment of the United Democratic Front (UDF) structures in the Eastern Cape, escaping the hit squads many times. He was later sent to exile to complete military training in Angola and Uganda for the People’s Army, Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK). While in exile he was employed by the United Nations to run an education program for the Mkhonto Wesizwe (MK) carders. He has been a member of the Eastern Cape ANC Provincial Executive Committee for two terms (1997-2004 and 2007-2009). Mr Jonas has also read for:Marketing at the University of Cape Town; Investment and Trade Promotion, Ireland Development Agency; Investment and Trade Promotion, Singapore Development Agency; Managing Investment and Trade Programs, Malaysian Development Agency and Development Planning: GTZ. Moreover he established both the Coega IDZ and the ELIDZ. Mr Jonas was a member of the Executive Council (EXCO responsible for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (2009-2014). This involved providing political oversight to a number of economic public entities.He was also a member of the Executive Council (EXCO) responsible for Finance 2009-2010; the chair of the Portfolio Committee for Human Settlement (EC Legislature) 2007-2009 and the 2000-2005 Chief Executive Officer: Eastern Cape Development Corporation (tasked with the amalgamation of the then Transkei Development Corporation, Ciskei Development Corporation, Ciskei Peoples Bank and other smaller development institutions).Source: treasury.gov.za
