Nokukhanya Mntambo10 January 2025 | 5:30

SA's first democratic Education Minister Sibusiso Bengu to be laid to rest in KZN

Since his passing, Bengu has been hailed as a pioneering leader who helped to transform the education system in post-apartheid South Africa.  

SA's first democratic Education Minister Sibusiso Bengu to be laid to rest in KZN

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 for the late Prof Sibusiso Bengu, South Africa’s first Minister of Education.

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's first democratic Education Minister, Sibusiso Bengu, will be laid to rest in a Special Official Funeral Category 2 at the University of Zululand, in KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday morning. 

Bengu passed away at 90 in his sleep at his home last week. 

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa pays tribute to late former Edu Minister Sibusiso Bengu

Since his passing, Bengu has been hailed as a pioneering leader who helped to transform the education system in post-apartheid South Africa.  

Part of his legacy includes spearheading the formulation of the Education Act - largely considered a cornerstone in the education sector.  

Speaking at his memorial in Eshowe on Thursday, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu said: “He had this strength that once he starts talking to you, you were bound to pay attention to what he was saying and he made sense, whenever he spoke.”