New SA Defence Minister Lindiwe a Uniswa graduate

MBABANE – South Africa’s new Minister of Defence Lindiwe Sisulu is a University of Swaziland graduate and former St Michael’s High School pupil.

As minister for Defence in the cabinet named by new South African President Jacob Zuma, Sisulu is described by the media throughout the continent as one of the most powerful persons in the African powerhouse.

According to a media report as a youthful member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the ANC, Sisulu specialised in intelligence and after her university education in Swaziland and England served as a key aide of Mr Zuma, then the ANC Intelligence chief.

Her official biography on defence web states that she ccompleted GCE Cambridge University Ordinary Level at St Michael’s School, Swaziland (1971). It explains that she completed GCE Advanced Level at Waterford Kamhlaba, Swaziland (1973) and went on to get a BA degree and Diploma in Education, University of Swaziland (1980). She continued on to get a BA Hons in History from University of Swaziland (1981).

But her appointment to the powerful Defence ministry marks a major promotion. She is not just in charge of a major budget, but also one of the most powerful military machines in Africa.

The South Africa military has the capacity to launch sea, air and ground strikes across vast swathes of Africa.
Since the end of apartheid, however, it has not been deployed for hostile activities against other African countries, focusing more on peacekeeping operations. It is a vital strategic force in terms of regional security. The new Defence minister and her husband are both children of and veterans of the struggle.
Sisulu is a daughter of freedom struggle icons Walter and Albertina Sisulu and an icon of the anti-apartheid campaign in her own right. She was arrested and faced a life sentence at 24!

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