President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday evening removed Dr Nobuhle Nkabane from the role of Minister of Higher Education and Training and appointed Buti Manamela as Minister of the portfolio.
Manamela was until this appointment serving as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, a role he held from the sixth administration.
President Ramaphosa appointed Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube as the new Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training.
What do we know about Buti Manamela?
Buti Manamela has built his career from the ground up – starting as a student activist, rising to youth leadership, and entering parliament in 2009.
He’s held key deputy ministerial roles across the Presidency and Higher Education sectors, and remains influential within the ANC.
Known for his passion for youth empowerment, technical and vocational education, and public service reform, Buti Manamela is a notable figure in South Africa’s contemporary political landscape.
Biography and education
- Born: 10 July 1979 in Phagameng, Modimolle (Limpopo Province)
- Matriculated at Phagameng High School, where he became active in student leadership and joined both COSAS and the ANC Youth League in the mid‑1990s
- After high school, studied Digital Electronics at Mamelodi College (now Tshwane North TVET College) and held SRC leadership roles and served as SASCO provincial chairperson and national deputy president by 2000
- Later earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Development Management from the University of the Witwatersrand, completing it in 2017
Political rise and activism
- Served as National Secretary of the Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) from its launch in 2003 until 2014 – a pivotal role in youth and ANC–SACP alliance politics
- Member of the SACP Central Committee since 2012 and part of its Politburo as an ex officio member
- Held posts in ANC structures: ANC Youth League branch secretary, SASCO leader, and roles within ANC strategy committees in Parliament
Government and legislative roles
- Elected to the National Assembly in 2009; served on key parliamentary committees including Labour, Economic Development, and Communications
- In May 2014, appointed Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Performance Monitoring & Evaluation under then-President Jacob Zuma, serving until October 2017
- From October 2017 to June 2024, served as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, later renamed Higher Education, Science and Innovation
- Since July 2024, held the position of Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training in the current government
Current roles and influence
- Member of the ANC National Executive Committee since December 2022
- Continues to be a central figure in SACP policymaking and youth-focused activism in collaboration with ANC structures
- July 2025, appointed Minister of Higher Education and Training
Public engagement and focus
- Actively promotes the value of TVET colleges, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship over a sole focus on university education, emphasising practical skills and job creation
- Encourages learners to apply for bursaries and funding through programmes like NSFAS, Funza Lushaka, and corporate scholarships
- Advocates for teachers and graduates to contribute to underserved communities – even when not obligated to – to help bridge educational inequality
Do you think Buti Manamela will prove to be a success in his new role?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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