Blade Nzimande

Blade Nzimande
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
Assumed office
3 July 2024
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
DeputyNomalungelo Gina
Preceded byHimself (for Higher Education, Science and Technology)
9th National Chairperson of the South African Communist Party
Assumed office
16 July 2022
DeputyThulas Nxesi
General SecretarySolly Afrika Mapaila
Preceded byGwede Mantashe
13th General Secretary of the South African Communist Party
In office
July 1998 – 16 July 2022
DeputySolly Afrika Mapaila
Jeremy Cronin
Preceded byCharles Nqakula
Succeeded bySolly Afrika Mapaila
Prior cabinet offices
2009–2024
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
In office
30 May 2019 – 30 June 2024
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
DeputyButi Manamela
Preceded byNaledi Pandor (Higher Education)
Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane (Science and Technology)
Succeeded byNobuhle Nkabane (Higher Education)
Himself (Science and Technology)
Minister of Transport
In office
28 February 2018 – 29 May 2019
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
DeputySindy Chikunga
Preceded byJoe Maswanganyi
Succeeded byFikile Mbalula
Acting Minister of Home Affairs
In office
13 November 2018 – 22 November 2018
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
Preceded byMalusi Gigaba
Succeeded bySiyabonga Cwele
Minister of Higher Education and Training
In office
11 May 2009 – 17 October 2017
PresidentJacob Zuma
DeputyMduduzi Manana
Hlengiwe Mkhize
Preceded byNaledi Pandor
Succeeded byHlengiwe Mkhize
Personal details
Born
Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande

(1958-04-14) 14 April 1958 (age 66)
Edendale, Msunduzi, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
CitizenshipSouth Africa
Political partySouth African Communist Party
Other political
affiliations
African National Congress
(Tripartite Alliance)
SpousePhumelele Ntombela-Nzimande
Children2
EducationUniversity of Natal
(PhD)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • sociologist
  • philosopher
  • educator
  • anti-apartheid activist

Bonginkosi Emmanuel "Blade" Nzimande (born 14 April 1958 in Edendale near Pietermaritzburg) is a South African politician, sociologist, and former anti-apartheid activist who is currently serving as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. A cabinet minister since 2009, Nzimande was the General Secretary of the South African Communist Party from 1998 to 2022.[1][2]

Nzimande formerly served as the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology from 2019 to 2024, as Minister of Transport from 2018 to 2019, and as Minister of Higher Education and Training from 2009 to 2017.[3]

  1. ^ "Profile of Dr Bonginkosi "Blade" NZIMANDE". Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  2. ^ "Closing Address to 10th Congress by Newly Elected Secretary General - Blade Nzimande". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  3. ^ "Zuma announces new cabinet". Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2009.