Joe Slovo was a prominent South African anti-apartheid activist and politician, born on May 23, 1926, in Lithuania. He became a key figure in the African National Congress (ANC) and was a founding member of the Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC, which fought against the apartheid regime. Slovo played a significant role in the struggle for freedom and equality in South Africa. In addition to his activism, Slovo served as the Minister of Housing in the first democratic government of South Africa after the end of apartheid in 1994. He was known for his commitment to social justice and played a crucial role in shaping post-apartheid policies until his death on January 6, 1995.