Positions last held in government
Mr Mosibudi Mangena was Minister of Science and Technology of the Republic of South Africa from 29 April 2004 until 10 May 2009. Prior to his as minister, he served as a Deputy Minister of Education from 2001 to 27 April 2004.
Academic Qualifications
Mr Mangena holds MSc degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of South Africa and a BSc degree (Honours) from the same University. He passed his Junior Certificate with distinction in 1967 and Matriculated at Hebron Training College in 1969.
Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities
Mr Mangena is the President of the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO) from 1994. He joined South African Students Organisation (SASO) and elected onto the Students Representative Council at the University of Zululand in 1971.
He moved back to Pretoria and joined the Pretoria branch of SASO as Chairperson 1972; participated in the SASO literacy campaign in the Winterveld area 1972 and he was Convener of the interim structure of the Black People's Convention (BPC) in the Pretoria area until he was elected as National Organiser at its inaugural Congress in 1972.
He was head of quality control laboratory in brick-making factory at Olifantsfontein in 1972; and in the same year he was arrested for his political activities and he was imprisoned in Robben Island for 5 years. He was released in 1978 and ordered to remain under house-arrest in Mahwelereng for 5 years.
Mr Mangena went into exile in Botswana in 1980 and he became the Chairperson of the Botswana region of the Black Consciousness Movement of Azania (BCMA) in 1981 and he later moved to Zimbabwe; where he served as Chairperson of the Central Committee of the BCMA from 1982 until 1994.
He returned to South Africa and became the President of Azanian People's Organization (AZAPO) in 1994 and he was elected Member of Parliament in 1999.
He was the first Patron of Sowetan-Telkom Mathematics and Science Teacher of the Year Awards. He was the founder and Chairperson of South African National Literacy Initiative (SANLI) and Masifundesonke Reading Campaign in 2001.
Research/Presentations/Awards/Decorations/Bursaries and Publications
Mr Mangena is the Author of the following four books: "On Your Own" September 1989, "Quest For True Humanity" 1996; "A Twin World" 1996 and "My Grand Mother is Permanent" 2004.
He was conferred upon by the Vaal University of Technology an Honourary Doctorate (Technologiae Doctoris) on 18 March 2008 in the field of applied sciences in recognition of his service and invaluable contribution to the social upliftment of both our region and country.
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
