By Amy Musgrave
South Africa’s first education minister in democratic South Africa, Prof. Sibusiso Bengu, has died. He was 90.
According to a statement issued by his family on Tuesday, Bengu passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Monday.
“We will fondly remember him as a dear husband, father, uncle, grandfather, an educator, former Minister of Education and Ambassador amongst others,” his family said.
Bengu, who was born in Kranskop in May 1934, dedicated his life to education and the public service. He began his career as a teacher in 1952, and 17 years later he founded the Dlangezwa High School in what was then known as Natal. He was the principal until 1976.
After completing a PHD in Political Science at the University of Geneva, Bengu was appointed as a professor at the University of Zululand in 1977. Four years later he became the first black Vice-Chancellor
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