South Africa’s youngest Cabinet minister, Siviwe Gwarube, to tackle a myriad challenges

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube during the swearing-in ceremony of the new national executive members at Cape Town International Convention Centre on 3 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

By Velani Ludidi

4 Jul 2024

Eastern Cape-born Siviwe Gwarube is the country’s youngest Cabinet minister. ‘It’s high time young South Africans start to see themselves represented in the people that lead them,’ she says.

Two weeks shy of her 35th birthday, Siviwe Gwarube was appointed as the new minister of basic education by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday.

Her appointment is part of the power-sharing deal within the newly formed government of national unity (GNU), which includes parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Good and the Patriotic Alliance.

Siviwe Gwarube (right), with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, during the swearing-in of the new national executive members at Cape Town International Convention Centre on 3 July 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Misha Jordaan)

With this appointment, Gwarube has become the youngest minister in South Africa’s democratic history, surpassing the record previously held by Ronald Lamola, who became a minister at 35. Her rise to this prominent position reflects her remarkable journey and dedication to public service.

Gwarube featured in Daily Maverick's young leader feature here: Elections 2024 - Under 45 Club

Before her new role, Gwarube served as the DA’s chief whip in the National Assembly, where her leadership and strategic skills were on full display. Her political career within the DA has been marked by several key positions, including deputy chief whip, national spokesperson and shadow minister of health.

gwarube sona debate The DA’s Siviwe Gwarube speaks at the 2024 State of the Nation Address Debate at Cape Town City Hall on 14 February. (Photo: Gallo Images / Ziyaad Douglas)

Read more in Daily Maverick: Historic day for SA as government of national unity ministers take oath of office

She admits that becoming a minister was beyond her wildest dreams.

“It is a lovely birthday present but also a daunting one,” Gwarube told Daily Maverick with characteristic enthusiasm.

“It’s high time young South Africans start to see themselves represented in the people that lead them. I do not think it’s a weakness; I think it’s an absolute maturing of our democracy that we are realising young people have a voice and they must be represented in who leads them.”

From KwaMdingi to the national stage

Born and raised in KwaMdingi, a village near Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) in the Eastern Cape, Gwarube’s path to politics was shaped by her early experiences and education. After matriculating from Kingsridge High School for Girls, she pursued studies in law, politics and philosophy at Rhodes University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 2012.

Her political journey began in earnest when she joined the DA Young Leaders Programme in her final year at university, where she met her mentor, Lindiwe Mazibuko. Shortly after graduating, Gwarube moved to Cape Town to work as a spokesperson in Mazibuko’s office.

She later became the head of ministry and spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Health under MEC Nomafrench Mbombo, and served as the DA’s executive director of communications during the 2019 general election.

Tall order

Stepping into the Ministry of Basic Education, Gwarube faces myriad challenges, including dilapidated schools, a shortage of basic supplies, overcrowded classrooms, bureaucratic inefficiencies and the deep socioeconomic inequalities that divide the education system.

“My priority is to meet with the team and get a good sense of where the department is at,” she said. “I’m particularly concerned about the literacy and numeracy rates in South Africa. Addressing these issues is incredibly important.”

Gwarube, who, being from Eastern Cape understands the harsh realities of inadequate school infrastructure – including the existence of pit latrines – is determined to use her position to drive change. Although infrastructure falls under the Department of Public Works, she plans to leverage relevant legislation to eradicate pit toilets.

“The norms and standards of infrastructure do provide the national minister with the power to intervene and work with provincial colleagues, even though it’s not directly within her competency,” she explained.

“It cannot be that after 30 years of democracy, there are still children who risk death by drowning in a pit toilet.”

The Eastern Cape alone has 427 schools with pit latrines, while 2,334 were reported to have them in Limpopo in 2023.

Read more in Daily Maverick: MPs give Angie Motshekga 60 days to submit time frames to eradicate ‘death trap’ pit latrines at schools

Her appointment has raised concern among some stakeholders, notably the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), which is sceptical about the DA’s commitment to advancing social justice, quality public education and protecting teachers’ rights, given the party’s stance on unions.

“I have no doubt we will work very well together because Sadtu is committed to putting learners and teachers first,” Gwarube said.

“My goal is to bring not only Sadtu but other trade unions and stakeholders around the table. The following weeks or days, I will meet with everyone and discuss how can we improve the department.”

Read more in Daily Maverick: Confronting Sadtu’s grip on education power will be make or break for Gwarube – and Sadtu

On the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill, Gwarube advocates for a balanced approach. The bill seeks to amend key education laws.

The DA argues that the Bela Bill undermines the authority of school governing bodies (SGBs) and centralises decision-making power.

“There’s a misconception that the entire Bill is flawed. Issues around the powers of SGBs need to be addressed, and I believe if the President sends the Bela Bill back to Parliament, we can resolve these concerns.”

Outgoing Minister Angie Motshekga, who now heads the ministry of defence and military veterans, expressed confidence in Gwarube’s capabilities. Motshekga emphasised the progress made in areas such as reading culture, curriculum modernisation and inclusive education for children with special needs, and believes Gwarube will continue these initiatives.

“She is not bringing something entirely new but accelerating what was already planned by the previous administration,” Motshekga remarked.

“Her priorities echo the challenges and plans we have been addressing. When people say kids cannot read for meaning, we told them. It’s not something that she discovered. All the things she says she wants to do are things that we told the public, that there are these challenges and therefore put plans in place.”

As Gwarube prepares to take the reins, she will continue meeting Motshekga and experts on education to find ways to solve the pressing challenges of her portfolio. DM

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South Africa

From KwaMdingi to the national stage

Tall order