Songs & Secrets: SA from liberation to governance

22nd February 2013

Barry Gilder was born in 1950. He went into exile in 1976, and during this time composed and sang struggle songs at anti-apartheid events in Europe and elsewhere. He also served in the ANC's intelligence structures until his return to South Africa in 1991.

He served as GM and then Deputy Director-General of SASS from 1995 to 1999, later becoming DDG Operations of the National Intelligence Agency from 2000 to 2003. In 2003 he was appointed Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs. In 2005 he was appointed Coordinator for Intelligence where he served until his retirement from government at the end of 2007.

He is currently a fellow at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, a policy think tank set up by former senior leaders in the democratic governement.

Gilder speaks to Polity's Motshabi Hoaeane about his book ‘Songs & Secrets’, a book about South Africa from liberation to governance.

Songs & Secrets: South Africa from liberation to governance is published by Jacana.