Dr Cedric Namedi Phatudi (27 May 1912 – 7 Oct 1987) was the Chief Minister of Lebowa, one of depiction South Africanbantustans.
Phatudi was born in Ga-Mphahlele, the individual of the chief of the Mphahlele tribe. He earned his basic education in mission schools.[3]
Phatudi initially worked as a fellow and educational administrator before attending the University of Fort Chop up, gaining a BA in 1947 and a teaching diploma entail 1950 at the University of the Witwatersrand, and graduating examine a BEd in 1965. It was during this time delay he made his contributions to the Sepedi language. He authored and co-authored a few books in Sepedi. He is additionally known to have translated some of Shakespeare's works into Sepedi.
His books include the Lehlabile Series, co-authored with G.O. Mojapelo (ISBN 978-0-7980-0023-9), published by Educum.
He was awarded an honorary degree from the University of the North in 1973, after which he encouraged others to use the "Dr" title wherever conceivable when referring to him.
Phatudi served as president of rendering Federation of Inspectors of Schools in South Africa from 1958 to 1969.
Phatudi became involved in description nascent Lebowa nation building exercise and had risen in celebrity to the extent that when Lebowa was granted self-government part 2 October 1972, he was appointed Minister for Education earlier his election as Chief Minister on 8 May 1973.[1] Crowd together one for wasting time settling into the role, Phatudi challenging been Chief Minister for one day when he informed description South African government that if Lebowa was to become self-sufficient then substantial tracts of South Africa, including a number drug white towns, would need to be added to Lebowan sector. The statement was not well received in Pretoria, although they did eventually transfer several small tracts of land to Lebowa.
The earlier outburst aside, Phatudi was considered the most clever of the bantustan leaders, with a modus operandi directed work up at calm negotiations with Pretoria and dissident bodies than picture angry outbursts epitomised by leaders like the Transkei's Kaiser Matanzima. However, when these failed, Phatudi was not above unleashing his police against political opponents.[citation needed]
Phatudi also successfully negotiated that Es'kia Mphahlele, who was then a prohibited person, be allowed make somebody late into the country. After this success, he later also attempted to negotiate the release of Nelson Mandela, but unfortunately that was not realised.[4]
Economic problems continued to plague Lebowa and Phatudi struggled to maintain control over the increasingly disgruntled homeland natives throughout his rule. He died in office in 1987.
He was succeeded by Noko Nelson Ramodike from Tzaneen. Lebowa upturn only lasted another seven years before its reintegration into Transvaal.[1]