Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu is a South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

n politician, member of parliament since 1994

22nd South African Parliament

The 22nd Parliament of the Republic of South Africa was elected in the elections of 27 April 1994; it was the first parliament in South Africa's history to be elected by voters of all races. Nelson Mandela's African National Congress formed a government of national unity with F. W....

, member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress

National Executive Committee (African National Congress)

The ANC National Executive Committee is the chief executive organ of the South African political party, the African National Congress. It is elected at every National Conference; the executive committee, in turn, elects a National Working Committee for day-to-day decision-making responsibilities.On...

 and Minister of Housing from 2004 to 2009, and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans (South Africa)

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is a Minister in the Government of South Africa, who is responsible for overseeing the Department of Defence and the South African National Defence Force...

 since 2009.

Early life

Sisulu was born to ANC leaders Walter

Walter Sisulu

Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu was a South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress .-Family and Education:...

 and Albertina Sisulu

Albertina Sisulu

Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu was a black South African anti–apartheid activist, and the widow of fellow activist Walter Sisulu . She was affectionately known as Ma Sisulu throughout her lifetime by the South African public. In 2004 she was voted 57th in the SABC3's Great South Africans...

 in Johannesburg

Johannesburg

Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...

.

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

Umkhonto we Sizwe

Umkhonto we Sizwe , translated "Spear of the Nation," was the armed wing of the African National Congress which fought against the South African apartheid government. MK launched its first guerrilla attacks against government installations on 16 December 1961...

, specializing in Intelligence.

Education

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

University of Swaziland

The University of Swaziland developed from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland , formerly known as the University of Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland , which had its headquarters in Lesotho between 1964 and 1975. It eventually became the University of Botswana and Swaziland in...

. She also received an MA in History, and in 1989 an MPhil from the Centre for Southern African Studies at the University of York

University of York

The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...

.

Publications

• (1990). "South African Women in Agricultural Sector" (pamphlet), York University.

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.

Controversies

Lindiwe Sisulu's flagship housing project called the N2 Gateway

N2 Gateway

The N2 Gateway Housing Pilot Project is a large housebuilding project under construction in Cape Town, South Africa. It has been labeled by the national government's former Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu as “the biggest housing project ever undertaken by any Government.” Even though it is a joint...

 has been embroiled in a number of controversies. Joe Slovo Informal Settlement has adamantly refused to be relocated to Delft, Cape Town

Delft, Cape Town

Delft is a township on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. It is situated next to the Cape Town International Airport, Belhar, Blue Downs & Site C, Khayelitsha. It is known for its high crime rate, substandard schools, lack of jobs, and numerous government built housing projects such as the...

 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

Martin Legassick

Martin Legassick is an eminent and world renowned South African historian and a lifelong activist.Legassick was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1940. In 1947 he and his parents emigrated to South Africa. In 1960 he became a Rhodes Scholar at Balliol College, Oxford...

 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

Paul Ngobeni

Paul Mpande Ngobeni was born in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa on September 1, 1960. He went to the United States on a scholarship in 1982 graduated with a BA from Hamilton College, New York and Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from New York University School of Law...

 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, due to the fact that he is not qualified to practise law in South Africa and has been disbarred from practising law in the USA where he also faces criminal charges of fraud, larceny and petty theft.