DHET Leadership
Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane was appointed as Minister of Higher Education on 03 July 2024.Following her election as a Member of Parliament in 2019, she subsequently served as Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy from August 2021 to June 2024.
Dr Nkabane was gripped by politics at a young age. After joining the African national Congress, she served in various leadership positions of the ANC Youth League and the ANC Women's League at branch, regional and Provincial Executive Committee in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
She was amongst the leaders of the ANC Youth League Sisonke Region which advocated for the renaming of Sisonke District Municipality to Harry Gwala District Municipality, in honour of struggle stalwart Harry Gwala. During the 55th National Conference she was elected as a member of the National Executive Committee and assigned the responsibility to serve as the Convenor of NEC Deployees in Mpumalanga.
She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Administration, Ph.D. from University of KwaZulu-Natal. She also earned an Honours and a Master's degree in public administration from the same institution. She has also completed short-term diploma and certificates in various areas such as; Labour Law, Compliance Management and Youth Development with the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch Business School and the University of the Western Cape.
Dr Nkabane is a lifelong learner who is currently studying towards MSC with SOAS University of London and Masters in the Field of Energy Leadership with Wits Business School.
She has contributed to the body of knowledge with two academic papers in the Journal of Public Affairs as well as a book chapter in Sabella Abidde and Emmanuel Matambo, (2021) "Xenophobia, Nativism and Pan Africanism in the 21st Century Africa." She has so far marked one master's dissertation and reviewed two academic papers
Previous Experience
Dr Nkabane worked at both Umzimkhulu Local Municipality and Sisonke District Municipality between 2005 and 2012. During this period, her focus was on youth and community development. Between 2012 and 2017, she worked at Harry Gwala Municipality, first as Customer Care Manager and subsequently as Director for Water Governance and Customer Care until May 2019.
Dr Nkabane is passionate about the youth, their development and potential in shaping the future of South Africa, both in education and in the workplace.
