n Journal for Contemporary History - The premier, politics and prejudice : Winkie Direko's rise from comparative obscurity in the 1970s to provincial prominence in the 1990s - a biographical overview

Abstract

The surprising appointment of Winkie Direko as premier of the African National Congress (ANC)-led Free State Province in June 1999 came as a rude awakening to the provincial leadership of the ANC, as well as to the Free State citizens. Because of her 'lack of experience' in as far as full-time party politics are concerned, her appointment to the premiership position came as a shock to some people in the Free State Province, who without doubt had earmarked certain individuals within the ANC provincial leadership for this position.