By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa’s first democratic Education Minister, Professor Sibusiso Mandlankosi Emmanuel Bhengu has been laid to rest in Mtunzini, Kwazulu/Natal (KZN).
Since his passing, Bhengu has been hailed as a pioneering leader who helped transform the education system in post-apartheid South Africa.
Speaking ahead of today’s official funeral, Minister of Science and Technology Blade Nzimande reflected back to his student days when Bhengu helped him with financial assistance for his fees.
“September 1977, I had run out of funds to study. I was short of R100. It was a lot of money at the time and Prof Bhengu gave me a loan. I paid him back when I started working. When I reflect and think about that maybe that was the beginning of NSFAS. Because there was no NSFAS at that time.”
Nzimande said that the best way to honour Bhengu’s legacy is to honour current-day teachers.
“What we need to do is honour teachers as part of his legacy. We are saying goodbye to a teacher and a very good teacher at that. By the way, my wife was the head girl at KwaDlangezwa. And she said he never carried a stick but he was actually respected.”
In attendance were various high-ranking dignitaries including current Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli welcomed all the attendees at the funeral: “On behalf of the government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal, I take this opportunity to welcome you all to this service, which is held to honour the life of South Africa’s first post-apartheid Minister of Education Professor Bhengu who has sadly transitioned to the next world.”
Bhengu passed away in December at the age of 90 and was afforded a Special Official Funeral Category 2.
Deputy president Paul Mashatile has described Bhengu, as a “distinguished educator, diplomat and a servant of the people”.
The Deputy President was delivering the eulogy at Bhengu’s funeral service.
“Today we gather to pay tribute to a remarkable individual, Professor Sibusiso Bhengu, a renowned revolutionary, an intellectual of his time. As a country, we have lost a distinguished educator, diplomat and a servant of the people.
“Professor Bhengu has played a key role in shaping education and other social policies contributing to the transformation of the sector and most importantly, reversing the legacy of Apartheid education,” Mashatile said.
Bhengu played a key role in the transformation of South Africa’s education sector following the attainment of democracy and played a role in the transition of higher education in the country.
The Deputy President highlighted this as part of Bhengu’s legacy.
“His skills, knowledge and contribution to various sectors of educations showed that he possessed the capacity to revolutionise education by dismantling the dreadful legacies of Apartheid.
“Thirty years later, our education outcomes are still improving – a testament to the profound impact of this icon. As part of President [Nelson] Mandela’s cabinet, he introduced many key pieces of legislation that shaped our education system.
“Among these are the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the policy recommendations of the National Commission on Higher Education which served as a guide for the government’s efforts to reconstruct and transform the apartheid higher education system, “Mashatile explained.
The former Minister advocated for understanding the “connection between education and development”.
“We must continue to address challenges related to access to better education. An educated society has better prospects for a better future and breaking the shackles of poverty and injustices.
“Educated populations correspond with national economic growth and both directly and indirectly increase economic productivity.”
The Deputy President passed his final condolences to the Bhengu family on behalf of the government of South Africa.
“As we accompany our leader and brother to his final resting place, may we always remember how Professor Sibusiso Bhengu’s political efforts have been vital in furthering our democratic values and socio-economic development.
“His passion to promote equality and fairness has had a long-lasting influence on our society, and this should inspire us. To this day many South Africans, are still benefiting from his immense contribution, and for this we are grateful.
“Once more, on behalf of the government, let me extend our deepest condolences to Mama Funeka, his children and grandchildren, and the entire Bhengu family.”
Born in Kranskop, Natal, Bhengu began his teaching career in 1952 and went on to establish Dlangezwa High School in 1969, where he served as principal until 1976. He later became dean of students at the University of Zululand before leaving South Africa in 1978. His academic accomplishments included a PhD in political science from the University of Geneva, and in 1991 he made history as the first black vice-chancellor of Fort Hare University – a transformative moment in South African higher education.
Although his first political home was the Inkatha Freedom Party, where he served as secretary-general, ideological differences with the late IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi ultimately led to his departure. He later aligned himself with the ANC.
In 1994, President Nelson Mandela appointed Bhengu as South Africa’s first minister of education in the democratic era. He played a key role in merging 17 fragmented education departments into a unified system and implemented controversial early reforms to South Africa’s education policy, including a nationwide initiative to redeploy teachers and a transition to outcome-based education through Curriculum 2005, with the aim of overhauling the education system.
However, it faced significant backlash, with teachers and opposition parties voicing strong criticism, prompting a review of the plan.
After the 1999 election he served as ambassador to Germany until 2003, when he retired.
Bhengu held that position until 2003, when he retired. He also dropped off the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee in December 2002.
He survived by his wife, Funeka Bhengu, four daughters and a son.