Minister of Basic Education

The minister of basic education is the minister in the Cabinet of South Africa who has political responsibility for the Department of Basic Education. The portfolio includes both primary and secondary education.

South Africa Minister of Basic Education
Flag of South Africa
Incumbent Siviwe Gwarube since 3 July 2024
Department of Basic Education
Style	The Honourable
Appointer	President of South Africa
Inaugural holder	Angie Motshekga
Formation	11 May 2009
Deputy	Reginah Mhaule
Salary	R2,211,937[1]
Website	Department of Basic Education

Until 10 May 2009, basic education was the responsibility of the minister of education. Announcing his first cabinet, President Jacob Zuma bifurcated that ministry, creating the minister of basic education and a separate minister of higher education and training.^[2] Angie Motshekga was appointed as the inaugural minister of basic education, a position she retained for the next 15 years.^[3] Minister Siviwe Gwarube was appointed to the Ministry of Basic Education on 30 June 2024,^[4] and sworn into office on 3 July 2024.^[5]

List of ministers

List of ministers responsible for basic education, 1994–present

Ministry	Minister	Portrait	Term		Party		President
Education	Sibusiso Bengu		1994	1999	ANC		Mandela
Education	Kader Asmal		1999	2004	ANC		Mbeki
Education	Naledi Pandor		2004	2009	ANC		Mbeki Motlanthe
Basic Education	Angie Motshekga		2009	2024	ANC		Zuma Ramaphosa
Basic Education	Siviwe Gwarube		2024	–	DA		Ramaphosa