Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane |
| Date of Birth | 1 August 1979 (age 45 years) |
| Place of Birth | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Current Position | Minister of Higher Education |
| Date of Appointment | 3 July 2024 |
| Previous Position | Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy |
| Political Party | African National Congress (ANC) |
| Education | National Diploma, Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degree, Doctorate, Postgraduate Diplomas |
| Key Advocacy | Promoting nuclear energy as a reliable electricity source |
| Parliamentary Committees | Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation; Employment and Labour; Sports, Arts and Culture; Section 194 Enquiry |
| Professional Roles | Customer Care Manager, Director of Water Governance, Youth Coordinator |
| International Experience | Participated in the American African European Summer School in Nancy, France |
Early Life and Education
Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane’s educational journey is marked by numerous qualifications from esteemed institutions:
- 2001: National Diploma in Commercial Administration, Business Administration, and Management from Durban University of Technology.
- 2009: Diploma in Youth Development and Youth Service/Administration from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
- 2011: Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from UNISA.
- 2016/17: Compliance Management Programme at the University of Cape Town.
- 2017: Level 7 National Qualifications Framework qualification in Executive Development from the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
- 2019: Bachelor of Administration (Honours), Master of Administration in Public Administration, and Doctorate of Administration from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
- 2020: Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law from the University of the Western Cape.
Career
Dr. Nkabane’s professional career spans various roles in local municipalities and national politics:
- 2005-2006: Worked at Umzimkhulu Local Municipality.
- 2006-2012: Youth Coordinator at Sisonke District Municipality.
- 2012-2017: Customer Care Manager at Harry Gwala District Municipality.
- 2018-2019: Director of Water Governance and Customer Care at Harry Gwala District Municipality.
- 2019: Elected to the National Assembly of South Africa.
- 2019-2021: Member of various Portfolio Committees including Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation; Employment and Labour; and Sports, Arts and Culture.
- 2021-2024: Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy.
- 2024-Present: Minister of Higher Education.
Notable Contributions
Dr. Nkabane has been a strong advocate for nuclear energy, emphasizing its potential to provide a reliable electricity source. In 2022, she spoke at the Nuclear Technology Imbizo, promoting global partnerships to support South Africa’s new nuclear build program.
Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane’s career and achievements highlight her dedication to public service and her continuous pursuit of knowledge and expertise in various fields. Her leadership in higher education is expected to bring significant advancements and improvements to the sector.
