Cheryl Carolus

Biography

Carolus was born on 27 May 1958 in Silvertown, on the Cape Flats, Cape Town. Her father was a printer’s assistant and her mother was a nurse. Carolus became involved in politics while still at school and became an activist as a member of the South African Black Students Association. She was detained for five months in 1976 for her anti-apartheid activism.

Carolus studied at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). After graduating, she became an English and History teacher in the Cape Flats.

In 1983, Carolus joined the United Democratic Front (UDF), serving as general secretary from the launch in August 1983. In May 1990, Carolus was elected to be part of the African National Congress' delegation which held talks with the apartheid government of F. W. de Klerk at Groote Schuur. She was one of two women in the delegation.

In July 1991, Carolus was elected to the ANC's National Executive Committee. She was elected Deputy Secretary General of the ANC in 1994. At the 1995 ANC Conference, when the National Coalition of Gay and Lesbian Equality was launched, Carolous stated that she opposed homophobia for the same reasons that she opposed racism and sexism. In 1997, Carolus became Acting General Secretary of the ANC.

In 1998, Carolus became South Africa's High Commissioner in London, serving until 2001.

From 2001, Carolus was the chief executive officer of South African Tourism, committing to Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) and Pro-Poor Tourism Pilots in Southern Africa (PPT) during her tenure as CEO. She left the role in 2004. Carolus was then Board Chairperson for South African National Parks (SANPARKS), serving until 2012. In 2009, she assumed this position at South African Airways (SAA). She was also chairperson of Peotona Holdings, an investment company that deals with business development.

In 2014, Carolus became a patron of the Girl Child Institute of Mentorship (GCIM). Carolus is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Crisis Group. In 2015, she was a Trustee of the British Museum.

On 5 May 2018, the bodies of her husband Graeme Bloch's parents were discovered in Cape Town. They had been tied up and murdered. Bloch died in April 2021.

In 2022, Carolus became nonexecutive director and chair of the board of Grindrod.

Honours

Carolus was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law by the University of Cape Town in 2004. She was also appointed to the French National Order of Merit by the government of France.

References

References

1. Gastrow, Shelagh. (1995). "Who's who in South African Politics". Ravan Press.
2. "Cheryl Carolus".
3. (1994). "Accent on Women". South African Communication Service.
4. Forster, Forster Laurel. (2020-09-21). "Women's Periodicals and Print Culture in Britain, 1940s-2000s: The Postwar and Contemporary Period". Edinburgh University Press.
5. Plaut, Martin. (2002). "Reflections on the South African Revolution: A Discussion between Martin Plaut and Jeremy Seeking". History Workshop Journal.
6. Goetz, Anne Marie. (2003). "No Shortcuts to Power: African Women in Politics and Policy Making". Zed Books.
7. Fluehr-Lobban, Carolyn. (2013-07-04). "Female Well-Being: Toward a Global Theory of Social Change". Zed Books Ltd..
8. Hassim, Shireen. (2006-06-26). "Women's Organizations and Democracy in South Africa: Contesting Authority". Univ of Wisconsin Press.
9. "Women lawmakers have an impact on international law, London conference hears".
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11. Curtin, M.. (1994-02-05). "ANC promises national health service". BMJ.
12. Adam, Barry. (1999). "Global Emergence Of Gay & Lesbian Pol". Temple University Press.
13. "Carolus to take over as new Satour head".
14. (2002-04-10). "South Africa targets budget tourists". BBC News.
15. Thomas, Cornelius C.. (2007). "Tangling the Lion's Tale: Donald Card, from Apartheid Era Cop to Crusader for Justice". Donald Card.
16. "South African Tourism affirms commitment to Fair Trade in Tourism".
17. (2004-08-17). "Carolus heads for new frontiers".
18. Weaver, Tony. (2002-03-15). "Carolus ready to put on her dancing shoes".
19. "Carolus to leave SA Tourism".
20. "Carolus to head SANParks".
21. Mahlati, Zintle. (2018-08-01). "I want my country back, Carolus tells inquiry as she concludes testimony".
22. (2009-10-01). "Carolus to head SAA board".
23. DeIonno, Peter. (2010-05-07). "Carolus faces tough choices at bidirectional SAA".
24. "Winning Women – Cheryl Carolus: Blazing trails for women".
25. ICG, [http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/about/board.aspx Crisis Group's Board of Trustees] {{Webarchive. link. (3 February 2011)
26. [https://www.britishmuseum.org/about_us/management/trustees.aspx The British Museum Trustees] {{Webarchive. link. (10 May 2018 . ''[[British Museum]]''. Retrieved 31 March 2015.)
27. Mngadi, Mxolisi. (5 May 2018). "Pensioners tied up and killed: Police probing murders of Graeme Bloch's parents". News24.
28. Yende, Sizwe Sama. "Graeme Bloch remembered for his humility and love for his family and humanity". Citypress.
29. "Family turned down offer of state funeral for activist Graeme Bloch".
30. "Carolus joins Grindrod board, to succeed Hankinson as chair in May 2022".