By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted a Special Official Funeral Category 2 for late minister of education Sibusiso Bhengu.
Bhengu passed away on 30 December 2024 at the age of 90.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said Bhengu’s Special Official Funeral Category 2 will be held at the University of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.
Proceedings will include ceremonial elements rendered by the South African Police Service (Saps).
“Ramaphosa has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at flag stations around the country from tomorrow morning, Tuesday, 7 January, until the evening of the funeral,” Magwenya said.
“We will fondly remember him as a dear husband, father, uncle, grandfather, educator, former Minister of Education, and ambassador.”
Born on 8 May 1934 in Kranskop, Natal, Bhengu’s career in education began in 1952. He founded Dlangezwa High School near Empangeni in 1969, serving as principal until 1976.
He left South Africa in 1978 to serve as the Secretary for Research and Social Action for the Lutheran World Foundation. Upon his return, he was appointed to the role of Vice-Chancellor of Fort Hare University.
Bhengu was appointed minister of education in 1994 under the late former president Nelson Mandela’s leadership.
He oversaw the amalgamation of 17 fragmented education departments into a unified system, introduced Curriculum 2005 to reform the school curriculum, and worked tirelessly to dismantle apartheid’s legacy in education.