Ohm Collins Chabane was born on 15 April 1960 in Xikundu Village, in Limpopo (then Northern Transvaal). He attended Shingwedzi High School, and at the age of 17 he joined the ANC underground. Chabane was also a member of the Azanian Student Organisation (Azaso).
He registered for a Bachelor in Science at Turfloop University, but a year later, in May 1980, he went into exile, when he joined Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Chabane also went to Angola for military training in 1980, and began work underground in 1981.
Chabane was arrested by the Security Police in 1984, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment on charges of terrorism. He was imprisoned at the same time as Tokyo Sexwale, Kgalema Mothlanthe, Mosiua Lekota and Popo Molefe.
During his time in prison he obtained a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Technikon South Africa, and studied aviation. Chabane also holds a Diploma in Management from Arusha in Tanzania. Chabane also developed his interest in music while in prison, where he learnt music theory and how to play the harmonica from Bafana Sithole.
After his release, Chabane was elected to parliament in 1994, where he served on the constitutional affairs, defence and intelligence committees. In 1997, he was appointed as a MEC for Limpopo, in Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi’s cabinet. In 1998, he was then moved to public works, where he is credited as having established the province’s Road’s Agency.
Chabane was granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1999.
His present job, as Minster in the Presidency, is to create greater cohesion and effective systems in Government, and to alert the appropriate departments when problems arise. Chabane headed the transitional management team that has reshaped the present cabinet.
His previous position, prior to entering national government, was as Limpopo’s MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism
Chabane also heads a marimba band called Movement, has recorded two CDs to date.
Collins Chabane was killed in a car accident early on 15 March 2015.
“Collins Chabane: Hero on the Rise” [online] Available at: www.thetimes.co.za [Accessed 12 June 2009]|Isaacson, M. (2009) “Collins Chabane”. The Sunday Independent. 24 May 2009 edition, page 6.|Mr. Ohm Collins Chabane [online] Available at: www.whoswhosa.co.za [Accessed 12 June 2009]|Profile: Collins Chabane [online] Available at: www.politicsweb.co.za [Accessed 12 June 2009]