Thabang Sampson Phathakge Makwetlawas born in Lydenburg, eastern Transvaal (Mpumalanga), South Africa, on 18 May 1957.

He joined the South African Student Movement (SASM), as a high school student in 1974. Makwetlafled South Africa in the middle of his matriculation examinations in 1976 and matriculated from Mmabathoana High School, Maseru, Lesotho in 1977.

Phindile Mfeti, a first cousin of former State President Thabo Mbeki and nephew of Govin Mbeki was born on 15 December 1946, at Nqamakwe, Eastern Cape. He was the second of three children.

He married Feziwe in 1970 in a traditional ceremony and the couple registered after he was released from detention in 1977.