Barbara Hogan

Barbara Anne Hogan (born 28 February 1952) is a South African former anti-apartheid activist and then post-apartheid politician. She served as Minister of Health and of Public Enterprises in the Cabinet of South Africa under President Jacob Zuma.

Early life and education Barbara Anne Hogan was born on 28 February 1952 in Benoni, Transvaal (now Gauteng), Union of South Africa.

She attended St Dominic's Catholic School for Girls, Boksburg, and gained a degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in development studies. While at university, she became involved with anti-apartheid student activists. Hogan was named Minister of Public Health in September 2008 on the basis of her financial managerial skills, which were urgently needed in the Department of Health. Although Hogan was not a medical professional, she said that she had a very capable deputy, Molefi Sefularo, a medical doctor who had been very engaged in the healthcare sector. Hogan was keen to roll out anti-retrovirals, working with the government to address the AIDS pandemic among South Africans. She served in this capacity until 10 May 2009. Hogan was appointed to the Ministry of Public Enterprises, until her resignation in November 2010. In 2018, Hogan testified before The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, stating that Zuma had pressured her into appointing Siyabonga Gama as Transnet CEO, "despite him facing allegations of misconduct."

In 2020, Hogan gave testimony at the second inquest on the death of Neil Aggett, who had been found hanging in a cell at John Vorster Square in February 1982, after being detained without trial for 70 days and tortured by security police.

Other activities Hogan became a member of the advisory board of the Amandla AIDS Fund (AAF), which was established by the nonprofit organisation Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) in 2003 with a $2.5 million donation from Carlos and Deborah Santana, which represented the entire net proceeds of the 2003 U.S. Summer Santana Shaman tour.

She also served as a council member of the Robben Island Museum.

Recognition and honours Hogan was included in the 2009 Time 100, an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. under the category of "Scientists and thinkers".

A short film, titled Tribute to Barbara Hogan, narrated by Morgan Freeman, directed and edited by Jennifer Hattonwas created by ANSA and released on YouTube in 2010.

Personal life Hogan met Ahmed Kathrada, who had been imprisoned for life after the Rivonia Trial,