Lindiwe Sisulu

The Honourable Lindiwe Sisulu MP
Sisulu in New York City in 2018
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
In office 27 February 2018 – 29 May 2019
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Preceded by	Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
Succeeded by	Naledi Pandor
Minister of Human Settlements
In office 26 May 2014 – 26 February 2018
President	Jacob Zuma Cyril Ramaphosa
Preceded by	Connie September
Succeeded by	Nomaindia Mfeketo
Minister of Public Service and Administration
In office 12 June 2012 – 25 May 2014
President	Jacob Zuma
Preceded by	Roy Padayachie
Succeeded by	Collins Chabane
Minister of Defence
In office 10 May 2009 – 12 June 2012
President	Jacob Zuma
Preceded by	Charles Nqakula
Succeeded by	Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
Minister of Housing
In office 29 April 2004 – 10 May 2009
President	Thabo Mbeki Kgalema Motlanthe
Preceded by	Rob Davies
Succeeded by	Tokyo Sexwale (Human Settlements)
Minister of Intelligence
In office 24 January 2001 – 28 April 2004
President	Thabo Mbeki
Preceded by	Joe Nhlanhla
Succeeded by	Ronnie Kasrils
Minister of Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation
Incumbent
Assumed office 30 May 2019
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Personal details
Born	(1954-05-10) 10 May 1954 Johannesburg, South Africa
Political party	African National Congress
Education	University of Swaziland (BA) University of York (MA, MPhil)

Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu (born 10 May 1954) is a South African politician, member of parliament since 1994, currently serving as Minister of Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation since May 2019 and member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress. She served as Minister of Housing from 2004 to 2009, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans from 2009 to 2012, and former Minister of Public Service and Administration from 2012–2014.

Early life

Sisulu was born to revolutionary leaders Walter and Albertina Sisulu in Johannesburg. She is the sister of journalist Zwelakhe Sisulu and politician Max Sisulu.

From 1975 to 1976 Sisulu was detained for her anti-apartheid activities. During her exile from 1977 to 1979 she joined the military wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe, specialising in Intelligence.

Education

In 1973, Lindiwe Sisulu graduated from Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa in Mbabane, Swaziland. In 1980, Sisulu received a BA degree and Diploma in Education, and in 1981 received a BA Hons in History from the University of Swaziland. She also received an MA in History, and in 1989 an MPhil from the Centre for Southern African Studies at the University of York.

Early career

In the mid-1980s Sisulu worked as a lecturer at the Manzini Teachers Training College. In 1990 she became the main assistant to Jacob Zuma in the ANC's intelligence services.

Government career

Sisulu was first given an appointment in the government as deputy minister of home affairs in 1996, serving through 2001. While minister of defence she appointed Tony Yengeni to the Defense Review Committee.

Presidential campaign

Sisulu has long been considered a potential presidential candidate, having passed on running in 2007 and 2012, she announced her presidential campaign on July 21 at Walter Sisulu square in Kliptown, where the Freedom Charter was adopted. Sisulu adopted the slogan "It's a Must" where she called on supporters to join her in a "must do" campaign. Upon announcing her intention to run for President, she said: ""What we must do is to cleanse the ANC and recover its original values". On 15 December 2017, Sisulu withdrew from the presidential contest, choosing instead to run for the position of Deputy President. She was defeated by David Mabuza.

Foreign Relations Minister

When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he would reshuffle his cabinet, Sisulu was removed from the Ministry of Housing to the Ministry of Foreign Relations, replacing Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

Controversies

Lindiwe Sisulu's flagship housing project called the N2 Gateway has been embroiled in a number of controversies. Joe Slovo Informal Settlement has adamantly refused to be relocated to Delft, Cape Town to make way for government bond and free houses. After a protest by Joe Slovo residents, Sisulu drew significant criticism from civic groups for saying "if they choose not to cooperate with government, they will be completely removed from all housing waiting lists." A spate of letters exchanged between Sisulu and UWC Professor Martin Legassick also received attention because Legassick called into question Sisulu's refusal to meet directly with the residents of Joe Slovo.

In December 2007, the N2 Gateway also was host to the largest occupation of houses in the country's history. The result has been the displacement of thousands of families into Temporary Relocation Areas and onto the pavement in Symphony Way.

In September 2009, she appointed Paul Ngobeni as her legal advisor. This appointment was immediately challenged from various quarters, including Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and the Standing Committee on Defense, because he is not qualified to practise law in South Africa and has been disbarred from practising law in the US where he also faces criminal charges of fraud, larceny and petty theft.

Sisulu became embroiled in a controversy in November 2012 when Parliament accused her of over-using executive jet flights during her tenure as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. She was accused of making 203 trips with the South African Air Force rented Gulfstream plane, however due to administrative failures, this figure was incorrect and an apology was issued afterward. She had actually only made 35 trips.

In April 2013, she appointed Menzi Simelane as her legal advisor. In a judgement (in October 2012) finding him unfit to be appointed as head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Constitutional Court Judge Zac Jacoob said "[We] conclude that the evidence was contradictory and on its face indicative of Mr Simelane's honesty. It raises serious questions about Mr Simelane's conscientiousness, integrity, and credibility."

Awards

• 1992: Human Rights Center Fellowship in Geneva.
• 2004: Presidential Award for Housing delivery by the Institute for Housing of South Africa.
• 2005: International Association for Housing Science Award.

Publications

• R Cohen, ed. (1991). "Women at Work and Liberation Struggle in the 1980s". Themes in the twentieth century South Africa. Oxford University Press.
• (1990). "South African Women in Agricultural Sector" (pamphlet), York University.
• "Women Working Conditions in South Africa". South African Situation Analysis. National Children's Rights Committee, UNESCO. 1992.
• Housing Delivery and the Freedom charter: the beacon of hope, new agenda. 2005.