Dr Cedric Phatudi, Lebowa Chief Minister, dies

Cedric Namedi Phatudi was born in ga-Mphahlele in 1912. Phatudi worked as an educator and educational administrator. He served as the president of the Inspectors’ Association of Bantu Education in South Africa from 1947-1969. Lebowa was granted self-government in 1972 and Phatandi was appointed the homeland’s first Minister of Education. He was then elected Chief Minister of the Lebowa Homeland, a position he held from 1973 till his death in 1987. Phatudi suffered from diabetes and developed bone cancer. He died in Lebowakgomo at the age of 75. He was buried at the Heroes Acre in the government buildings complex in Lebowakgomo.