cyril ramaphosa GNU cabinet
President Cyril Ramaphosa. Image: Twitter/@PresidencyZA

Home » Tertiary education of South African politicians in 2024

Tertiary education of South African politicians in 2024

No education is required to be in parliament; nevertheless, let’s look at the tertiary education of South African politicians in 2024.

13-05-24 17:06
cyril ramaphosa GNU cabinet
President Cyril Ramaphosa. Image: Twitter/@PresidencyZA

It’s hard to believe, but there’s no minimum education requirement to be in parliament, nevertheless, we still want to list the notable tertiary education of South African politicians here. With just two weeks to go to the 2024 General Elections on 29 May, which party politicians are packing a serious academic background?

TERTIARY EDUCATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICIANS

Tertiary education of South African politicians
A UNISA exam hall in 1992. Image: UNISA archives

According to an IOL report, the tertiary education of South African politicians is by no means a deciding factor in their climb of up the political ladder. The below list of notable politicians is by no means exhaustive. We’ve tried to split it evenly per major political party. But it will give you some idea of how well read they are academically, and in what field they’ve bettered themselves over the years.

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Tertiary education of South African politicians
The African National Congress’ top brass are a well-educated bunch. Image: File/Fotor
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa attained a law degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 1981.
  • Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, holds a Master’s in Education from the University of London. She also holds a Master’s in Linguistics from the University of Stellenbosch.
  • Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home Affairs, holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources, Gwede Mantashe, holds a Master’s from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). As well as Honours in Commerce from UNISA.

DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

Tertiary education of South African politicians
Democratic Alliance party leader John Steenhuisen has been questioned repeatedly over his lack of higher education after matric. Image: File
  • DA leader John Steenhuisen has a Matric certificate from Northwood Boys High School in Durban. He has no further tertiary education to his name. His lack of higher education has come under the spotlight repeatedly since he took over the party in 2019.
  • Chief whip of the party, Siviwe Gwarube, has a degree in Law, Politics and Philosophy from Rhodes University. She, too, has an honours degree in Political Science and Government from the University of the Western Cape.
  • Dr. Ivan Meyer, Chairperson of the DA, holds a PhD in Public Administration from the University of Stellenbosch.
  • Council Chairperson of the DA, Helen Zille has a degree in journalism from WITS.

ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Tertiary education of South African politicians
EFF leader Julius Malema holds an Honours degree in Philosophy from UNISA. Image: File
  • EFF leader Julius Malema has degree in Communications and African languages and an Honours degree in Philosophy at UNISA.
  • Deputy president of the EFF, Floyd Shivambu, holds a Master’s in Political Sciences at WITS,
  • EFF secretary-general Marshall Mzingisi Dlamini holds a degree in International Relations from UNISA.