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Trevor Manuel was born in January 1956 to a Cape Town civil servant, and grew up and was educated in the city. He matriculated in 1973 and studied Civil and Structural Engineering, and later also studied law during his detention. Manuel is currently South Africa's Minister of Finance, he has been Finance Minister since 1996, making him one of the country's longest-serving finance ministers.
Manuel entered public life in 1981 as the General Secretary of the Cape Areas Housing Action Committee, after which he became a National Executive member of the United Democratic Front (UDF). In September 1985 Manuel was detained and then banned until 31 August 1990. However, Manuel's ban was lifted on 25 March 1986 after it was ruled that it was not in line with the provisions of the Internal Security Act. On the 15 August 1986 Manuel was again detained under the emergency regulations for almost two years until July 1988. He was released from detention under severe restrictions but promtly detained again in September 1988 this time until February 1989. His realease came with stringent restriction orders.
After the unbanning of the African National Congress (ANC) Manuel was appointed deputy co-ordinator in the Western Cape Province. At the ANC's first regional conference in 1990 Manuel was elected publicity secretary. At the ANC's 199 national conference Manuel was elected to the National Executive Committee. In 1992 Manuel became head of the ANC's Department of Economic Planning. Manuel was elected as an ANC Member of Parliament in 1994 and appointed Minister of Trade and Industry, and in 1996 as Minister of Finance.
The World Economic Forum selected Manuel as a "Global Leader for Tomorrow" in 1994, and he has received numerous international awards and recognition for his accomplishments.
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