Politician, political activist and military commander. Joined MK, the armed wing of the ANC, in 1974. Appointed MK chief of staff in 1992. Served on the Transitional Executive Council which oversaw the end of white minority rule. When MK was incorporated into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in 1994, Nyanda rose through the ranks to Chief of the SANDF in 1998. He remained in this position until 2005. Minister of communications under President Jacob Zuma, 2009–10.