Matric to PhDs – these are the GNU ministers’ degrees and qualifications
South Africa now has a larger cabinet, with ministers’ educational qualifications ranging from Matric to PhD.
Following the 2024 election, the ANC lost its majority in parliament for the first time in the democratic era.
Thus, the ANC called for a Government of National Unity (GNU), in which ten other parties joined.
After joining the GNU, the DA, IFP, PA, FF+, PAC, and GOOD received cabinet positions, with Ramaphosa expanding the cabinet size to accommodate the new ministers.
Notably, the education levels of these new ministers vary substantially, even across party lines.
South Africa’s education system follows the National Qualifications Framework (NQF):
- Matric (NQF 4)
- Higher certificate + Advanced Certificate (NQF 5)
- National Diploma (NQF 6)
- Bachelor’s Degree (NQF 7)
- Honours Degree and Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8)
- Master’s Degree (NQF 9)
- PhD (NQF 10)
Of the 29 Ministers that we have found qualifications for, 26 have some form of Higher Education.
Three Ministers—Agriculture’s John Steenhuisen, Public Works and Infrastructure’s Dean Macpherson, and Sports, Arts and Culture’s Gayton Mckenzie—only have a Matriculation Qualification.
On the other hand, many ministers, such as Home Affairs’ Leon Schreiber and Correctional Services’s Pieter Groenewald, have PhDs.
Many ministers may also have more than one qualification to their name.
Higher Education’s Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane currently has 11 postgraduate qualifications, and is currently studying a Master of Science in International Business Administration at the University of London.
That said, a minister’s skill may not be limited to one’s educational background, and public or private sector experience is a potential benefit to the job.
Moreover, a Minister may have qualifications that have virtually nothing to do with their position: for instance, Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga has a Master’s Degree in Education.
The qualifications of South Africa’s new cabinet can be found below:
| Ministry Position | 7th Administration | Level of Education |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy President | Paul Mashatile (ANC) | PGDip in Economic Principles |
| Electricity and Energy | Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (ANC) | PhD in Public Affairs |
| Minister in the Presidency | Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (ANC) | MBA |
| Women, Youth and Persons With Disabilities | Sindisiwe Chikunga (ANC) | Master’s in Nursing |
| Agriculture | John Steenhuisen (DA) | Matric |
| Basic Education | Siviwe Gwarube (DA) | Honours in Political Science and Government |
| Communications and Digital Technologies | Solly Malatsi (DA) | Honours in Politics |
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs | Velenkhosi Hlabisa (IFP) | Honours in History |
| Defence and Military Veterans | Angie Motshekga (ANC) | Masters in Education |
| Employment and Labour | Nomakhosazana Meth (ANC) | Honours in Public Administration |
| Forestry, Fisheries and Environment | Dr. Dion George (DA) | PhD in Business Leadership |
| Finance | Enoch Godongwana (ANC) | Masters in Financial Economics |
| Health | Dr. Aaron Motsoeledi (ANC) | Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery |
| Science and Technology and Innovation | Blade Nzimande (SACP/ANC) | PhD in Sociology |
| Higher Education | Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane (ANC) | PhD in Public Administration |
| Home Affairs | Dr. Leon Schreiber (DA) | PhD in Political Science |
| Human Settlements | Mmamoloko Kubayi (ANC) | Master’s in Public and Development Management |
| International Relations and Cooperation | Ronald Lamola (ANC) | Masters in Corporate Law and Extractive Law |
| Justice and Constitutional Development | Thembi Nkadimeng (ANC) | Bachelor of Philosophy in Political Studies |
| Correctional Services | Dr. Pieter Groenewald (FF+) | PhD in Political Studies |
| Mineral and Petroleum Resources | Gwede Mantashe (ANC) | MBA |
| Police | Senzo Mchunu (ANC) | Degree in education and international relations |
| Public Works and Infrastructure | Dean Macpherson (DA) | Matric |
| Small Business Development | Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (ANC) | Degree in Business Administration and Management |
| Sports, Arts and Culture | Gayton Mackenzie (PA) | Matric |
| Tourism | Patricia de Lille (GOOD) | Diploma in Industrial Relations |
| Trade, Industry and Competition | Parks Tau (ANC) | Master’s in Public Policy & Management |
| Transport | Barbara Creecy (ANC) | Master’s in Public Policy and Management |
| Water and Sanitation | Pemmy Majodina (ANC) | Honorary Doctorate |
| Public Service and Administration | Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi (IFP) | National Diploma in Marketing and Business Management |
Qualifications for Ministers Maropene Ramokgopa (ANC), Sisisi Tolashe (ANC), and Mzwanele Nyhontso (PAC) could not be found online. BusinessTech reached out for comment from all affected parties but did not receive any response at the time of publication. These will be added if received.
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