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About rafiquegangat

Rafique Gangat is a South African, who grew up in Weenen, a farming town, and attended High School in Pietermaritzburg, after which he spent five years playing cricket, representing his Province as well as letting the World practice its charms on the young man. After having painfully obtained the ‘what’ of knowledge, he studied Philosophy and English at the University of Natal, a “White’s only” institution in the days of Apartheid, yearning to come to terms with the ‘how’ of knowledge. This he was able to do, by obtaining a special permit from the Minister of Police. Post University, he worked in the Music Business in Johannesburg, at a time when music was instrumental in breaking down the barriers created by Apartheid. Disillusioned with the capitalistic nature of the industry, he obtained a scholarship at The Leadership Institute of South Africa, and completed the pilot leadership course. With the Apartheid legislation having reserved careers for the White race only, he found no alternative but to work for an Indian Radio Station in Durban, as Announcer/Producer. Rafique’s pioneering spirit led him to perceive change and democracy on the political horizon, and he became the first-ever career diplomat, ‘of-colour’, in the Department of Foreign Affairs, serving in Beverly Hills(Vice-Consul), Head Office(Spokesperson),Karachi(Consul General),Abu Dhabi(Ambassador), Head-Office(North Africa Division) and finally Palestine(Ambassador), where he quit the diplomatic service, to embark on setting up a Radio Station, modeled on a successful South African one, Radio 702, which Nelson Mandela affirmed, played a significant role in reconciliation in post-Apartheid South Africa. Rafique, from being a diplomat/philosopher, finally married another side of his being – diplomacy and music, by hosting the Morning Show, with Talk@10, where he provided a platform for Israeli and Palestinian narratives to be heard in the peaceful search for a solution to the Conflict, but it didn’t last long, as most initiatives in the Holy Land, it met a premature end. Today Rafique lives in the Holy land and works as a Communications & Media Consultant for Aid Organizations, NGO’s and Academic Institutions and continues enriching his life’s journey with new experiences, reading and writing.

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