The minister of basic education is the minister in the

Cabinet of South Africa The Cabinet of South Africa is the most senior level of the executive branch of the Government of South Africa. It is made up of the president, the deputy president, and the ministers. Overview The cabinet of South Africa consists of the Presi ...

who has political responsibility for the

Department of Basic Education The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is one of the departments of the South African government. It oversees primary and secondary education in South Africa. It was created in 2009 after the election of President Jacob Zuma, when the forme ...

. The portfolio includes both

primary Primary or primaries may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels * Primary (band), from Australia * Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea * Primary Music, Israeli record label Work ...

and

secondary education Secondary education is the education level following primary education and preceding tertiary education. Level 2 or ''lower secondary education'' (less commonly ''junior secondary education'') is considered the second and final phase of basic e ...

. Until 10 May 2009, basic education was the responsibility of the

minister of education An education minister (sometimes minister of education) is a position in the governments of some countries responsible for dealing with educational matters. Where known, the government department, ministry, or agency that develops policy and deli ...

. Announcing his first cabinet, President

Jacob Zuma Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (; born 12 April 1942) is a South African politician who served as the fourth president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He is also referred to by his initials JZ and clan names Nxamalala and Msholozi. Zuma was a for ...

bifurcated that ministry, creating the minister of basic education and a separate

minister 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 mini ...

Angie Motshekga Matsie Angelina "Angie" Motshekga (born 19 June 1955) is a South African politician and educator who is currently serving as the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans since 3 July 2024. She served as the acting president of the Republic of ...

was appointed as the inaugural minister of basic education, a position she retained for the next 15 years. Minister Siviwe Gwarube was appointed to the Ministry of Basic Education on 30 June 2024, and sworn into office on 3 July 2024.

List of ministers

References

External links

Ministry of EducationDepartment of Basic Education
Lists of political office-holders in South Africa {{SouthAfrica-gov-stub