| Post: | South Africa Minister |
| Body: | Higher Education |
| Flag: | Flag of South Africa.svgborder |
| Flagsize: | 110px |
| Flagcaption: | Flag of South Africa |
| Insigniasize: | 100px |
| Insigniacaption: | Coat of Arms |
| Department: | Department of Higher Education and Training |
| Incumbent: | Nobuhle Nkabane |
| Incumbentsince: | 30 June 2024 |
| Style: | The Honourable |
| Appointer: | President of South Africa |
| Inaugural: | Blade Nzimande |
| Formation: | 11 May 2009 |
| Deputy: | |
| Salary: | R2,211,937[1] |
| Website: | Department of Higher Education and Training |
The Minister of Higher Education is the minister in the Cabinet of South Africa with responsibility for higher education in South Africa. The post was created as the Minister of Higher Education and Training in May 2009. It was called the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology between May 2019 and June 2024.
Before 10 May 2009, higher education was the responsibility of the Minister of Education. On 10 May 2009, announcing his first cabinet, President Jacob Zuma bifurcated that portfolio, creating the new Minister of Higher Education and Training, alongside a Minister of Basic Education.[2]
When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his second-term cabinet on 29 May 2019, he announced that the Ministry of Science and Technology would be absorbed by the higher education portfolio, creating the enlarged portfolio of the new Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology.[3] [4] However, Ramaphosa reversed the merger in his third cabinet, announced on 30 June 2024;[5] henceforth there was an independent Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, while the higher education portfolio was the provenance of the Minister of Higher Education.[6]
| Ministry | Minister | Incumbency | Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Sibusiso Bengu | 10 May 1994 – 14 June 1999 | Nelson Mandela |
| Kader Asmal | 17 June 1999 – 29 April 2004 | Thabo Mbeki | |
| Naledi Pandor | 29 April 2004 – 24 September 2008 | ||
| 25 September 2008 – 9 May 2009 | Kgalema Motlanthe | ||
| Higher Education and Training | Blade Nzimande | 10 May 2009 – 17 October 2017 | Jacob Zuma |
| Hlengiwe Mkhize | 17 October 2017 – 26 February 2018 | ||
| Naledi Pandor | 26 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 | Cyril Ramaphosa | |
| Higher Education, Science and Technology | Blade Nzimande | 29 May 2019 – 19 June 2024 | |
| Higher Education | Nobuhle Nkabane | 30 June 2024 – present |