Minister of Education

Personal

• Date of Birth: 7 December 1953

Current Positions

• Minister of Education of the Republic of South Africa since 29 April 2004.
• Member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC).
• Member of Parliament since 1994.

Academic Qualifications

• Matriculated from Gaborone Secondary School in Botswana (1972).
• Bachelor of Arts degree in history from University of Lesoto, Botswana and Swaziland (1977).
• Diploma in Education from the University of London (1978).
• Masters degree in Education from University of London (1979).
• Masters degree in General Linguistics from University of Stellenbosch (1997).

Career/Memberships/Positions/Other Activities

• Senior Lecturer in the Academic Support Programme at the University of Cape Town (1989 - 1994).
• Member of Parliament since 1994.
• Chairperson of Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA) (1992 - 1995).
• Deputy Chair of Joint Education Trust Board of Trustees (1993 - 2001).
• Member of the National Executive Committee of the National Education Coordinating Coomittee (NECC) (1989 - 1993).
• Served on the portfolio committee on Education.
• Convener of a sub-committee on higher education in Parliament.
• Deputy Chief Whip of the African National Congress in parliament (1995 - 1998).
• Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) (1999 - 2004).
• Chancellor of Cape Technikon (2002 - 2004).
• Member of the Council of the University of Fort Hare (2002 - 2004).