Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Andrek Panyaza |
| Surname | Lesufi |
| Date of Birth | 4 September 1968 (age 56 years) |
| Place of Birth | Dindela (Edenvale), Ekurhuleni |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political Party | African National Congress (ANC) |
| Current Role | Premier of Gauteng (since October 2022) |
| Previous Roles | MEC for Education in Gauteng, President of Moroka Swallows FC |
| Education | Master’s Degree in Business Administration |
Early Life and Education
Andrek Panyaza Lesufi was born on 4 September 1968 in Dindela (Edenvale), Ekurhuleni. His family was forcefully relocated to Tembisa due to the apartheid-era Group Areas Act. Lesufi began his education at Tlamatlama Lower Primary School, moved on to Tshepisa Higher Primary School, and completed his secondary education at Boitumelong Senior Secondary School. He pursued tertiary education at the University of Natal, now known as the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Nickname and Football Passion
Lesufi Panyaza is a moniker that reflects his deep passion for football, particularly for Moroka Swallows FC, where he serves as the current president.
Political Activism
Early Involvement
Lesufi’s political activism began in Tembisa, driven by his commitment to a united, non-racial, democratic, and non-sexist South Africa. His activism was sparked at Boitumelong Secondary School, later renamed Thabo Mbeki by student activists, which became the center of his early political activities.
Student Leadership
Recruited by fellow student activist Kennedy Nkoane, Lesufi joined the struggle against apartheid, influenced by his elder brother Nikisi Lesufi, who fled the country to join the ANC after escaping prison. Lesufi’s activism focused on education, leading him to become a significant figure in transforming the education sector in South Africa.
Lesufi was a leader in the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and the Tembisa Student Congress (TESO), which replaced COSAS when it was banned. He also played a role in the National Education Crisis Committee, an affiliate of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Anti-Apartheid Struggle
As an avowed anti-racist, Lesufi faced constant harassment by the apartheid police, including the notorious Special Branch. He was detained in Modderbee Prison in 1989 and again in Durban City Prison in 1995 while advocating for higher education transformation.
At the University of Natal, Lesufi was active in the South African Student Congress (SASCO) and was later elected as President of the SRC. He received the University of Natal’s Chief Albert Luthuli Award and was recognized as the Best SRC President Ever for his leadership.
Community Involvement
Lesufi worked within the NGO sector as an Outreach Manager of the Tembisa Careers Centre and was active in community structures like the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and the South African Tertiary Institutions Sports Congress (SATISCO-Durban). He also chaired the Creative Arts Society (CASOC).
Lesufi was involved in the Self-Defense Units, defending communities against violence from the apartheid government and the Third Force in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Political Career
ANC Leadership
Lesufi played a crucial role in rebuilding the ANC after its unbanning. He served three terms as Branch Secretary of the ANC Tembisa Branch and was Deputy Regional Secretary of the Kyalami Region for nearly nine years. He was also the founding Deputy Regional Secretary of the ANC Ekurhuleni Region. Since 2007, Lesufi has been a member of the ANC’s Provincial Executive Committee and served on the NEC Education Sub-committee.
In July 2018, Lesufi was elected Deputy Chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng. He became Chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng on 26 June 2022.
Professional Profile
Lesufi has a strong interest in establishing new public institutions. He was instrumental in creating the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). He also worked with Minister Nathi Mthethwa to establish the Priority Crimes Unit (The HAWKS) and played a key role in forming the Department of Basic Education in 2014.
Lesufi has held various positions in the post-1994 administration, including roles in the Ekurhuleni Municipality, Gauteng Department of Social Development, Gauteng Department of Education, Department of Basic Education, National Prosecuting Authority/South African Police Service, and SASSA.
Premier of Gauteng
In October 2022, Panyaza Lesufi was appointed the seventh Premier of Gauteng, marking a significant milestone in his political career.