Baldwin Sipho “Ben” Ngubane born 22 October 1941 is a retired politician from South Africa. He held multiple positions in the post-apartheid government of the country. In particular, he has been Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and minister of Arts, Culture from 1994 until 31 August 1996 and from February 1999 until April 2004.
He graduated MB ChB in 1971 from the Medical School of the University of Natal, Durban.
Political career
In 1991 Ngubane was appointed Minister of Health in the KwaZulu government, a post he held until 1994. In 1992 Ngubane served on the CODESA working group which dealt with constitutional principles and constitution making. In 1993 he was involved in negotiations with the African National Congress on behalf of the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Other works
In 2004 he was appointed Ambassador to Japan, until 2008. In 2010, he was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun for his contributions “to the enhancement of the relationship and the cooperation in science and technology between Japan and South Africa”.
He later served as chairperson of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board and as chairperson of the Eskom board, 2015-2017.
Zondo Commission into state capture
In 2020, Ngubane was twice called to testify before the The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture in his capacities as, first, former SABC board chairperson, then, secondly, as the chairman of Eskom.