Dr Sibongile Masuku, a lecturer in Museum and Heritage Studies at Sol Plaatje University, has been appointed as the honorary national chairperson of the Culture Thematic Area to the South African National Commission for UNESCO by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Nkosinathi ‘Nathi’ Mthethwa for a period of four years. She takes over as national chair from Professor Mandla Makhanya the former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UNISA.
The South African National Commission for UNESCO was established in 1998, after South Africa re-joined UNESCO in 1994. The Commission was established to effectively integrate and coordinate UNESCO activities in South Africa, through cooperation with government departments, institutions, and civil society organisations. Its work covers the UNESCO thematic areas of Education, Natural Science, Culture, Communication and Information, and Social and Human Science.
Dr Masuku holds a PhD in Environmental Education and an MA in Environmental Education (cum laude) from Rhodes University, an MA in Leisure Studies from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and a BA in Humanities from the University of Swaziland. She worked at the African World Heritage Fund, the South African Heritage Resources Agency, the South African National Parks and the Natal Parks Board. She was also the Director for Heritage at the national Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
Dr Masuku is the current chairperson of Amazwi National Museum of Literature, Council Member for Nelson Mandela Museum and a member of the panel of advisors for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on Indigenous Knowledge and Living Treasurers.
As the sector Committee Chairperson for Culture Dr Masuku will chair meetings, coordinate with relevant stakeholders, advise the South African government on matters relating to UNESCO in the Culture, Arts and Heritage sector; serve as a liaison agency with government departments and statutory bodies, parastatals, non-government organisations on matters relating to Culture as well as advise with chairs of other thematic areas on the nomination of representatives to the General Conference of UNESCO and to other meetings and conferences of UNESCO. The President of the Commission is the Minister of Basic Education, the Honourable Angie Motshekga, with whom the overall responsibility resides with.
