Minister of Higher Education and Training

Personal

• Date of Birth: 14 April 1958
• Marital Status: Married

Current Positions

• Minister of Higher Education and Training in the Republic of South Africa since 11 May 2009.
• General Secretary of the South African Communist Party.
• Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education.
• Deputy Chair of the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party.
• Chairman of the Financial Sector Campaign Coalition (FSCC).

Academic Qualifications

• Doctorate in Philosophy specializing in Sociology from the University of Natal.

Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities

• Lecturer for Industrial Psychology at the University of Natal (1987).
• Lecturer at the University of Zululand (1985).
• Council Member at the University of South Africa.
• Member of the National Deployment Committee of the ANC.
• Chair Board of Trustees at the Centre for Educational Policy Development.
• Council Member at the University of Transkei.
• Council Member at the University of KZN.
• Chair at the ANC Parliamentary Study Group on Education.

Research and Publications

• Published "Unsocial Science" Indicator SA Vol 11, No2.
• Schooling in the context of violence in SA: the challenges of change, edited by V Maphai, published by Harare SAPED Books.
• Schooling in the context of violence, Durban: Education Policy Unit
• Civil Society and the role of the National Education Coordination Committee (NECC), Durban: Education Policy Unit.
• Civics and Civil Society: a reply to M.Mayekiso, work in progress co-author with M. Sikhosana.
• He wrote a book called "Children of wars: the impact of violence on schooling in Natal" Durban: Education Policy Unit.
• Civics are the National Democratic Revolution, Mayibuye No5.
• Political violence and the struggle for control in Pietermaritzburg, Journal of Southern African Studies Vol15. No.3.