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Revision as of 22:01, 18 May 2009 by Zingi (talk | contribs) (Fix cross reference re NEC)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Sibusiso Joel "S'bu" Ndebele (born 17th October, 1948, Rorke's Drift, KwaZulu-Natal), is the current Minister of Transport in the Cabinet of South Africa. He has been on the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) since 1997, and was the Provincial Chair of the ANC from 1998 to 2008.
Between 2004 and 2009 he was the premier of the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. Between 1994 and 2004 he was on the Executive Council of KwaZulu-Natal, as the member (MEC) for transport.
Studies
He attended primary school at Makhaseneni, near Melmoth, and matriculated from Eshowe Teachers’ Training and High School in Eshowe.
He obtained a degree in library science from the University of Zululand in 1972, a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Politics and African Politics from the University of South Africa in 1983, and a honours degree in Development Administration and Politics in 1985.
Early politics
He was publicity secretary of the South African Students Organisation at the University of Zululand (1972). Shortly thereafter, in 1974, he joined the African National Congress underground and went into exile in Swaziland. He was arrested for ANC activities in May 1976 and was sentenced to ten years on Robben Island in June 1977.
Criticism
Recently he has been heavily criticised for offering 16 500 hectares of land to the Dubai-based company Ruwaad Holdngs to build a massive themepark named 'Zulu World'. This will result in the forced eviction of around 10 000 families from the eMacambini clan. The affected community has vowed to resist the evictions and has accused Ndebele of "selling" them to "a new kind of colonialism." On the 4th of December 2008, the eMacambini community blockaded the N2 and R102 freeways to protest S'bu Ndebele's non-reply to their memorandum handed over in a previous march.
On 16 May 2009, shortly after accepting the position of Minister of Transport, Ndebele received a R1,1-million Mercedes Benz S500 from the Vukuzakhe group of 'emerging contractors', who had received contracts worth more than R400-million in the department. Opposition parties have claimed that the gift could be a conflict of interest and that the Mercedes should be returned. Ndebele explained that he received the gift unannounced, long after he had ceased being MEC for transport, and denies any conflict of interest.
References
- "KZN's new premier taking office", Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal.
- "S.Africa's Zuma makes sweeping changes to cabinet", AFP, 10 May 2009.
- ^ "Meeting the new Minister of Transport, Minister Ndebele", roadsafety.co.za, 12 May 2009.
- "A forced removal to allow for 'progress'". Weekender. 2008-12-13.
- http://www.abahlali.org/taxonomy/term/1021
- "Friday morning update on eMacambini blockade". Abahlali baseMjondolo. 2008-12-09.
- "Transport minister accepts 'thank you' Merc". Mail & Guardian. 2009-05-19.
- http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2009/09051816151001.htm Minister of Transport statement, 18 May 2009.
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| Leaders of KwaZulu-Natal since 1910 | |
|---|---|
| Administrators of Natal Province (1910–1994) | |
| Chief ministers of KwaZulu (1970–1994) | Buthelezi |
| Premiers of KwaZulu-Natal (1994–present) | |