Sibusiso Bengu
Encyclopedia
Sibusiso Mandlenkosi Emmanuel Bengu (b 8 May 1934) is a prominent South Africa
n politician
.
Bengu was born in Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal
and become a teacher
in 1952. Sibusiso founded the Dlangezwa High School near Empangeni in 1969 and was principal until 1976. He completed a PhD in political sciences at the University of Geneva
in 1974 and in 1977 he was appointed a professor at the University of Zululand
. He served as Secretary-General of Inkatha Freedom Party
but due to differences he clashed with Mangosuthu Buthelezi
.
Sibusiso left South Africa in 1978 and served as secretary for research and social action for the Lutheran World Foundation. While he was abroad met and became friends with the Oliver Tambo
, then acting President of the African National Congress
, where the children of both the Thambo and Bengu families were educated while the ANC conducted its policy of Liberation before education
in South Africa and in the process disrupting the education of thousands of children at the time. He returned in 1991 to become first black Vice-chancellor of a South African university, Fort Hare University. Sibusiso became Minister of Education in 1999 and sent to Germany
to become South Africa's ambassador
.
He is married to Funeka and has four daughters and one son.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Bengu was born in Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
and become a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
in 1952. Sibusiso founded the Dlangezwa High School near Empangeni in 1969 and was principal until 1976. He completed a PhD in political sciences at the University of Geneva
University of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it...
in 1974 and in 1977 he was appointed a professor at the University of Zululand
University of Zululand
The University of Zululand has been designated to serve as the only comprehensive tertiary educational institution north of the uThukela River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Its new status is in accordance with South Africa's National Plan for Higher Education aimed at eradicating inequity and...
. He served as Secretary-General of Inkatha Freedom Party
Inkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:...
but due to differences he clashed with Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi is a South African Zulu politician who founded the Inkatha Freedom Party in 1975 and continues to lead the party today.His praise name is Shenge.-Early life:...
.
Sibusiso left South Africa in 1978 and served as secretary for research and social action for the Lutheran World Foundation. While he was abroad met and became friends with the Oliver Tambo
Oliver Tambo
Oliver Reginald Tambo was a South African anti-apartheid politician and a central figure in the African National Congress .-Biography:Oliver Tambo was born in Bizana in eastern Pondoland in what is now Eastern Cape...
, then acting President of the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
, where the children of both the Thambo and Bengu families were educated while the ANC conducted its policy of Liberation before education
Liberation before education
Liberation before education was a slogan of some activists in South Africa from 1976 in rejecting the education offered black children in Apartheid-era South Africa .-External links:* *...
in South Africa and in the process disrupting the education of thousands of children at the time. He returned in 1991 to become first black Vice-chancellor of a South African university, Fort Hare University. Sibusiso became Minister of Education in 1999 and sent to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to become South Africa's ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
.
He is married to Funeka and has four daughters and one son.