Born in Johannesburg in 1938, Ronnie Kasrils served in the ANC-led armed struggle at its inception in 1961. After active service inside the country, he became chief of military intelligence for the ANC in exile. Following South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, he served in government as Deputy Defence Minister, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, and Minister of Intelligence Services, before retiring from government in 2008. He served for many years on the executive committees of both the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP). A committed internationalist, he is well-known for his solidarity work in support of the Palestinian struggle and other international causes. Kasrils is also the author of several books and articles.
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