Mr Radhakrishna "Roy" Padayachie

Prior to his appointment as minister of communications in November 2010, Radhakrishna “Roy” Padayachie served as deputy minister of public service and administration for eighteen months and, before that, as deputy minister of communications between 2004 and 2009. A chemist and microbiologist by profession, he holds a BSc from the University of Durban-Westville and an MSc from the University of London. Padayachie was an executive member of the Natal Indian Congress for many years, also serving on the executive of the United Democratic Front (UDF). A member of the ANC since 1972, he participated in multi-party negotiations during the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa). Mr Padayachie passed away on 5 May 2012. President Zuma has announced that labour minister Mildred Oliphant will serve as acting minister until further notice.