Ben Skosana - Misplaced Pages

South African politician (1947–2014)

Ben Skosana


Member of the National Assembly
In office 9 May 1994 – 11 February 2014
Minister of Correctional Services
In office August 1998 – April 2004
President	Nelson Mandela Thabo Mbeki
Preceded by	Sipo Mzimela
Succeeded by	Ngconde Balfour

Personal details
Born	(1947-05-07)7 May 1947 Sharpeville, Transvaal Union of South Africa
Died	11 February 2014(2014-02-11) (aged 66) Cape Town, South Africa
Political party	Inkatha Freedom Party
Alma mater	Pacific Western University

Moleeane Ben Skosana (7 May 1947 – 11 February 2014) was a South African politician who served as Minister of Correctional Services from 1998 to 2004. He was a founding member of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and represented the party in the National Assembly from 1994 until his death in 2014. He also served as House Chairperson of the National Assembly from 2009.

Early life and career

Skosana was born on 7 May 1947 in Sharpeville in the former Transvaal. He qualified as a teacher and later completed both a bachelor's and a master's in international affairs at Pacific Western University in the United States. He was a founding member of Inkatha (later renamed the IFP) in 1975.

From 1981 to 1986, Skosana was the director of the Zululand Churches and Welfare Association, a development agency focusing on rural development in Zululand. After resigning from the agency, he became Inkatha's permanent representative in London. He returned to South Africa during the negotiations to end apartheid and was a member of the IFP's delegation to the Convention for a Democratic South Africa.

Legislative career: 1994–2014

In South Africa's first post-apartheid election in 1994, Skosana was elected to an IFP seat in the new National Assembly. Towards the end of the legislative term, in August 1998, President Nelson Mandela appointed him to replace Sipo Mzimela as Minister of Correctional Services in the multi-party Government of National Unity. Although the requirement for multi-party representation lapsed after the 1999 general election, Skosana was retained in the cabinet of Mandela's successor, President Thabo Mbeki.

After the 2004 general election, Mbeki did not reappoint Skosana but instead replaced him with Ngconde Balfour. However, Skosana remained an ordinary Member of Parliament, and, after his re-election to his seat in 2009, he was appointed as the House Chairperson in the National Assembly. He remained in that position until his death in 2014.

Death

Skosana died unexpectedly on 11 February 2014 after having collapsed while having dinner with his friend, Thulas Nxesi, at a restaurant in Cape Town. He was granted a provincial official funeral.

References

^ "Ben Skosana". South African History Online. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
"Parliament 'deeply saddened' by Skosana's passing". The Mail & Guardian. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
^ Maqhina, Mayibongwe (12 February 2014). "Tributes to 'committed and selfless patriot' Ben Skosana after sudden death". Witness. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
"Skosana a 'man of skill'". Sunday Times. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
^ "Provincial official funeral for Ben Skosana". South African Government News Agency. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
"Minutes of proceedings of the Constitutional Assembly" (PDF). Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. 24 May 1994. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
"Mzimela heads back to the ANC". The Mail & Guardian. 7 August 1998. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
"Profiles of the Cabinet ministers". The Mail & Guardian. 17 June 1999. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
"IFP, ANC reach agreement in KZN". The Mail & Guardian. 4 May 2004. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
"Moleeane Ben Skosana". People's Assembly. Retrieved 20 April 2023.

External links

Mr Moleeane Ben Skosana at People's Assembly

v t e Second Cabinet of Nelson Mandela (1996–1999)
President	Nelson Mandela
Deputy President	Thabo Mbeki
Ministers	Derek Hanekom (Agriculture and Land Affairs) Ben Ngubane (1996–1997, 1999) / Lionel Mtshali (1997–1999) (Arts and Culture) Jay Naidoo (Communications) Mohammed Valli Moosa (Constitutional Development and Provincial Affairs) Sipo Mzimela (1996–1998) / Ben Skosana (1998–1999) (Correctional Services) Joe Modise (Defence) Sibusiso Bengu (Education) Pallo Jordan (Environmental Affairs and Tourism) Trevor Manuel (Finance) Alfred Nzo (Foreign Affairs) Nkosazana Zuma (Health) Mangosuthu Buthelezi (Home Affairs) Sankie Mtembi-Nkondo (Housing) Dullah Omar (Justice) Tito Mboweni (1996–1998) / Membathisi Mdladlana (1998–1999) (Labour) Penuell Maduna (Minerals and Energy) Stella Sigcau (Public Enterprises) Zola Skweyiya (Public Service and Administration) Jeff Radebe (Public Works) Sydney Mufamadi (Safety and Security) Steve Tshwete (Sport and Recreation) Alec Erwin (Trade and Industry) Mac Maharaj (Transport) Kader Asmal (Water Affairs and Forestry) Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi (Welfare)

v t e First Cabinet of Thabo Mbeki (1999–2004)
President	Thabo Mbeki
Deputy President	Jacob Zuma
Ministers	Kader Asmal Ngconde Balfour Mangosuthu Buthelezi Thoko Didiza Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Alec Erwin Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi Ronnie Kasrils Mosiuoa Lekota Brigitte Mabandla (2003–2004) Penuell Maduna Trevor Manuel Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri Membathisi Mdladlana Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Valli Moosa Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele (1999–2003) Sydney Mufamadi Ben Ngubane Joe Nhlanhla (1999–2000) Charles Nqakula (2002–2004) Dullah Omar Essop Pahad Jeff Radebe Ben Skosana Stella Sigcau Lindiwe Sisulu (2001–2004) Zola Skweyiya Manto Tshabalala-Msimang Steve Tshwete (2002–2004)

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