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Minister of Higher Education (South Africa)

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South Africa
Minister of Higher Education
since 30 June 2024
Department of Higher Education and Training
StyleThe Honourable
AppointerPresident of South Africa
Inaugural holderBlade Nzimande
Formation11 May 2009
Deputy
SalaryR2,211,937[1]
WebsiteDepartment of Higher Education and Training

The Minister of Higher Education is the minister in the Cabinet of South Africa with responsibility for higher education in South Africa. The post was created as the Minister of Higher Education and Training in May 2009. It was called the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology between May 2019 and June 2024.

History

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Before 10 May 2009, higher education was the responsibility of the Minister of Education. On 10 May 2009, announcing his first cabinet, President Jacob Zuma bifurcated that portfolio, creating the new Minister of Higher Education and Training, alongside a Minister of Basic Education.[2]

When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his second-term cabinet on 29 May 2019, he announced that the Ministry of Science and Technology would be absorbed by the higher education portfolio, creating the enlarged portfolio of the new Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology.[3][4] However, Ramaphosa reversed the merger in his third cabinet, announced on 30 June 2024;[5] henceforth there was an independent Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, while the higher education portfolio was the provenance of the Minister of Higher Education.[6]

List of ministers with responsibility for higher education

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Ministry Minister Incumbency Under
Education Sibusiso Bengu 10 May 1994 – 14 June 1999 Nelson Mandela
Kader Asmal 17 June 1999 – 29 April 2004 Thabo Mbeki
Naledi Pandor 29 April 2004 – 24 September 2008
25 September 2008 – 9 May 2009 Kgalema Motlanthe
Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande 10 May 2009 – 17 October 2017 Jacob Zuma
Hlengiwe Mkhize 17 October 2017 – 26 February 2018
Naledi Pandor 26 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 Cyril Ramaphosa
Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande 29 May 2019 – 19 June 2024
Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane 30 June 2024 – present

References

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  1. ^ ""Determination salaries and allowances of the Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers", Proclamation No. 3 of 2015. Archived 29 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ "Statement by President Jacob Zuma on the appointment of the new Cabinet". South African Government Information. 10 May 2009. Archived from the original on 13 May 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  3. ^ Mzekandaba, Simnikiwe (29 May 2019). "Science, technology and higher education merged". ITWeb. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  4. ^ Wild, Sarah (3 June 2019). "Merging of research and education departments spells disaster for scientific inquiry". Business Day. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ "South Africa's post-election Cabinet enters new political territory after 30 years of democracy". Daily Maverick. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Higher education and science ministries split in new cabinet". University World News. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
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