Masenjana Sibandze

Dr Masenjana Sibandze holds a BA degree, a Master of Arts degree and a PhD in philosophy. He joined the then Department of Land Affairs in February 1997 as director: Land Tenure Reform, before being promoted to chief director and serving as the architect of the Communal Land Rights Act, 2004. In 2005, he was seconded to the Nhlapho Commission which addressed the issue of recognition of kingships and kings, before being promoted to head: Policy and Legislation in the Office of the Director- General. In May 2008, he was seconded to the then Department of Provincial and Local Government to establish the new Department of Traditional Affairs, which was proclaimed by the President in December 2009.

He acted as Director-General of the Department from March 2010 until his appointment as deputy director-general: Research, Policy and Legislation.During this period he facilitated the release of the Nhlapho Commission report, which resulted in the issuing of recognition certificates to kings from December 2010. Dr Sibandze currently oversees the work of the new Commission on Disputes and Claims.