Deputy Education Minister Dr Regina Maule said the memorial service for Professor Sibusiso Bhengu was not to mourn him, but to celebrate his achievements. Bhengu's memorial service is being held in Eshawe, KwaZulu-Natal.
Professor Bhengu passed away last week at the age of 90. Professor Bhengu was the first Minister of Education in democratic South Africa.
Maule says Bengu has transformed the system.
“As South Africans, we are not here to mourn, but to celebrate Professor Bhengu's legacy. Where we are today, we stand on the shoulders of giants. He When he came to the Ministry of Education, when he started the department, there were 19 different faculties based on racial discrimination. So Professor Bhengu merged the 19 faculties that had been fragmented and created a new education department. I needed to start a faculty.”
Deputy Minister @ReginahMhoule Today I am attending the memorial service for Professor Sibusiso Bhengu, the first Minister of Education of democratic South Africa. pic.twitter.com/JS9omXXVEO
— Department of Basic Education (@DBE_SA) January 9, 2025
Video | Deputy Minister of Education Regina Maule looks back on Professor Bhengu's life.
a memorable mission
More said that integrating the sector was a monumental task, adding that it was not an easy task as some were beneficiaries of racial discrimination.
“So there was battle after battle and he fought until he managed to take the issue to one education sector. , remember that it was just to be able to speak. But he wanted us to have an outcome-based education where we could see the results, and we owe it to him to build a solid foundation. That's why we're here today.”
Video | Professor Bhengu's memorial service.
