The former secretary general of the South African National Civics Organisation, Thozamile Gwanya, has been appointed Director General of Agriculture and Land Affairs, the department said on Monday.
Gwanya, who matriculated in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, holds a BCom degree from the University of Transkei.
”He brings a high level of expertise as he was the secretary general of the South African National Civics Organisation, and head of the development institute at what is now the Walter Sisulu University,” the department said in a statement.
Before his appointment, he was the country’s chief land-claims commissioner.
In November last year, Gwanya — then acting director general — described South Africa’s land restitution as a big success story.
Five thousand claims out of the 79 696 lodged still needed to be settled, of which about one-third would not be concluded before this year’s deadline for completion, he said at the time. — Sapa