Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (South Africa)

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is a minister in the Cabinet of South Africa. The office was re-established in June 2024. Between 2004 and 2019, the office was called the Minister of Science and Technology. In prior periods, the science and technology portfolio was the provenance of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (from 2019 to 2024) or of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (before 2004).

South Africa
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
since 3 July 2024
Department of Science and Innovation
StyleThe Honourable
AppointerPresident of South Africa
Inaugural holderMosibudi Mangena
Formation29 April 2004
DeputyNomalungelo Gina
WebsiteDepartment of Science and Innovation

History

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Until 28 April 2004, science and technology was the responsibility of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. On 28 April 2004, announcing his second cabinet, President Thabo Mbeki birfucated that portfolio, creating the new Minister of Science and Technology, alongside a Minister of Arts and Culture.[1]

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 Ministry of Higher Education and Training, creating the enlarged portfolio of the new Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology.[2][3] However, Ramaphosa reversed the merger in his third cabinet, announced on 30 June 2024;[4] the independent post was re-established, now called the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.[5]

List of ministers

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List of ministers responsible for science and technology, 1994–present
Title Minister Term Party
Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Ben Ngubane 1994 1996 IFP
Lionel Mtshali 1996 1999 IFP
Ben Ngubane 1999 2004 IFP
Minister of Science and Technology Mosibudi Mangena 2004 2009 AZAPO
Naledi Pandor 2009 2012 ANC
Derek Hanekom 2012 2014 ANC
Naledi Pandor 2014 2018 ANC
Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane 2018 2019 ANC
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande 2019 2024 ANC
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation 2024 ANC

References

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  1. ^ "Mbeki's cabinet list". News24. 28 April 2004. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ Mzekandaba, Simnikiwe (29 May 2019). "Science, technology and higher education merged". ITWeb. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  3. ^ Wild, Sarah (3 June 2019). "Merging of research and education departments spells disaster for scientific inquiry". Business Day. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  4. ^ "South Africa's post-election Cabinet enters new political territory after 30 years of democracy". Daily Maverick. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Higher education and science ministries split in new cabinet". University World News. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
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