1998 • Education Award
>> Back to 1998 Awards

SHEILA SISULU

Sheila Sisulu's career in education and youth development spans almost twenty years.  Her own education culminated in degrees achieved from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, based in Lesotho and the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. 

Following the completion of her education, Ms Sisulu was employed in a variety of positions including editing educational publications and newsletters. 

Over a ten year period, Ms Sisulu held various senior positions at the South African Committee for Higher Education.  She has also held positions as the National Education Coordinator at the Equal Opportunities Council and at the South African Council of Churches. 

Under her directorship, the Joint Enrichment Project, a youth development initiative, commissioned benchmark research on the status of youth in South Africa.

She is well known for her work with unemployed, disenfranchised youth and is a spokesperson for their cause, lobbing government and ministers to assist in bettering their situation.  Her most recent position, prior to her posting as High Commissioner for South Africa, in New York, was as a special advisor to the National Minister of Education. 

Ms Sisulu has held directorships on several boards and trusts including the South African Broadcasting Corporation, United States-South Africa Leadership Education Program, Women's Development Banking, Worldwide Investment and Infinity Asset Management Company. 


The awards given to her by the Allan Pfier Fellowship Fund in 1989 and the Nedbank-Femina Woman of the 90's committee in 1993 have recognized her work in education and the community. 

Ms Sisulu is married to Lungi and they have three children.  Her famous parents, Walter and Albertina Sisulu instilled in her the need to make change and it is their legacy that she continues to pursue in her many activities, whether in business or the communities she serves.