Know your Minister - Minister Angie Motshekga and Minister Blade Nzimande

Ms Angelina Angie Matsie Motshekga has been the Minister of Basic Education since 11 May 2009 and was reappointed to this portfolio on 26 May 2014.

About the department

The Department of Basic Education is responsible for overseeing primary and secondary education in South Africa. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) was formed when the then National Department of Education was split into two: DBE and the Department of Higher Education and Training.

About the minister

Minister Motshekga holds a Master’s degree from the University of Witswatersrand (Wits), a Bachelor of Educational Science degree from the Wits a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from the University of the North and a Higher Diploma in Education.

She was an educator at Orlando High School from 1981 to 1983, lecturer at the Soweto College of Education from 1983 to 1985 and lecturer at Wits from 1985 to 1994.

Dr. Blade Emmanuel Nzimande is the Minister of Higher Education and Training appointed by President Jacob Zuma in 2009, and again in 2014. He is the first Minister of Higher Education and Training.

About the department

He is responsible for leading the Department of Higher Education and Training. The department is responsible for developing and managing a fully inclusive post-school system that allows South Africans to access post-school education and training.

About the Minister

Minister Nzimande was born on 14 April 1958 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

Prior to his current position Dr. Nzimande was a Member of Parliament and the first Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Education between 1994 and 1999.

Dr. Nzimande matriculated in 1975 from Georgetown High School in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg. In 1976 he enrolled at the University of Zululand to study towards a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Public Administration and Psychology.

Between 1989 and 1994 he held the position of Director: Education Policy Unit at the University of Natal.

Among his qualifications, he holds a PhD in Industrial and Labour Studies (1993) - from the University of Natal (now University of KwaZulu-Natal), MA in Industrial Psychology (1982) - from the University of Natal and a BA (Hons) Industrial Psychology (1981) - University of Natal.