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What does President Thabo Mbeki like to do in his spare time? Ballroom dancing? Playing the piano? No, the man likes to work during leisure hours, says his spokesman. As the ruling party's national conference in Polokwane approaches -- an event that could change careers -- members of the South African Cabinet certainly need ways to de-stress.

Starting at the top, what does Mbeki do when he has time to relax? "Work, work, work," says presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga. After a bit of probing, he concedes that Mbeki does have some hobbies. Mbeki also likes listening to jazz and classical music at his home. And does the president still enjoy surfing the internet? "He reads everything," says Ratshitanga. Ratshitanga said he did not know if Mbeki still enjoyed smoking a pipe.

Climbing mountains is what Deputy President PhumzileMlambo-Ngcuka does to unwind, her spokesman Thabang Chiloane says. She also likes listening to SA music stars like Yvonne Chaka-Chaka and Miriam Makeba; as well as reading biographies. The last one she read was Oliver Tambo's.

Foreign Minister Nkosozana Clarice Dlamini Zuma "enjoys reading, interacting with people and debate," says her spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa. She must watch news at all times," he says, listing SABC, SABC Africa, CNN and BBC as her news channels of choice. When not putting all her "passion in her work around the world to create a better life for all", reading something by her favourite author Ben Okri is always a pleasure.

Agriculture and Land Affairs minister Lulama Xingwana is another politician who seems to use relaxation time to catch up on some work. "She's always at political meetings, even at weekends, she deals with land issues and restitution programmes" Xingwana is also an unassuming art collector, her spokesman Godfrey Mdhluli says. He says she loves pottery and beadwork and often purchases such
items when travelling as part of her job.

Minister in the Presidency Essop Goolam Pahad -- who once loved playing soccer -- now loves watching the beautiful game and is a Kaizer Chiefs fan, his spokesman says. The minister is also a dedicated historical bookworm, having
completed a doctorate in the history of SA Indian political movements. Yet, while he may be an intellectual high flyer, when it comes to singing or dancing, "he's not good in both" confides his spokesman Samson Phakwago.

If anyone embodies Renaissance man, it must surely be Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula. Nqakula has played piano and composed music since he was a child.
"He is a bit rusty with the guitar" but when it comes to singing and dancing, "I think he is pretty good", says spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi. He also writes "political" and "inspirational' poems and is a keen hunter when he goes home to Craddock in the Eastern Cape.

Sports and Recreation minister Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile reads and writes Greek, Hebrew and German, has been a lawn tennis player since primary school, rugby and cricket coach and national ballroom dance champ from 1972-1975. "He is strong in tango, quick step and foxtrot (in that order),"
said his spokeswoman Lerato Mkhize. He wears black trunks, white shirts and tail coats when performing and his wife was his partner from 1972 to 1975 when she stopped
competing. Minister Stofile is also a prolific reader of biographies -- including his boss Thabo Mbeki's -- and a fan of watching Animal Planet.

Intelligence Minister Ronald Kasrils spends his spare time involvedin the "struggle of other countries", his spokeswoman Lorna Danielssays. Passionate abut the Palestinian cause his reading choice matches this pursuit, being "heavy stuff on the Middle East", says Daniels. Although gardening is the first hobby he lists on the government website, his spokeswoman says it is unlikely he has had time to do this for a while.

Defence Minister Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota is a "very good storyteller"; as well as a "fitness fanatic", who swims, runs and used to ride the Cape Argus cycle tour,
When it comes to Bloemfontein rugby team the Cheetahs, it seems the defence minister can get a little defensive himself. "He's a crazy Cheetah's fan," says his spokesman Sam Mkhwanazi. "When the Cheetahs play the Bulls there is tension in the office between him and his deputy."

Labour Minister Membathisi Mphumzi Shepherd Mdladlana loves cooking traditional African food, including samp and beans, uMleqwa (free-range chicken), ulusu and dombolo (tripe and dumplings) and smagwinya (fatcakes). "He particularly loves preparing the dough for his fat cakes which he believes needs to be well done for the best outcome," says his
spokeswoman Zolisa Sigabi. Yet his all-time favourite is uMphokoqo -- also known as African salad made of maize meal. "He swears no one can cooks uMphokoqo as well as he does."

Water and Affairs Minister Lindiwe Benedicta Hendricks is
artistically inclined. A self-taught painter and musician herself, she is a fan of Jazz, African hip hop and some R&B. The minister also loves inspirational books, said her spokeswoman Linda Page. "This month alone she finished The Secret, The Law of Attraction and The Monk who sold his Ferrari."

Although Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Bongani Mabuto Mpahlwa lists a wide variety of hobbies on the government website, this might not be an accurate reflection of reality. "I have not seen any evidence of a life outside work. If he has hobbies he expresses them rhetorically," said spokesman Vukani Mde. "In the five months since I've been here, I can't recall one weekend in which the minister doesn't work. Since his appointment in 2004 he has never been on a holiday. In that way he is probably the most boring minister in cabinet." Mde said since training in economics "[The minister] thinks economics is a hobby". "His chief of staff: I have a lot of sympathy for him. He's held hostage. He has meetings on Friday until 12am -- and again on Saturday and Sunday. If you tell him it's a problem to work 18 hours a day, "he thinks you have the problem because you don't like working," said Mde.

None of the Cabinet members approached would agree to pose for pictures indulging in their leisure activities. In an apparent reference to the upcoming African National Congress conference that might elect a new party leader, one spokesman explained: "The ministers need to be careful how they are portrayed in such delicate times."

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