Dr. Daniel earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Natal in South Africa, his homeland. In addition to his master's from WMU, he earned a master's and doctorate from the University of New York at Buffalo. A noted scholar and longtime activist in the struggle against apartheid, he previously served as chairperson and professor of political science at the University of Durban-Westville.
In 2001, he was named research director for the Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa's national society science research facility.