Buti Manamela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buti Manamela
|
|
|---|---|
Manamela in July 2017
|
|
| Minister of Higher Education and Training | |
| Assumed office 21 July 2025 |
|
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Preceded by | Nobuhle Nkabane |
| Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology | |
| In office 29 May 2019 – 21 July 2025 |
|
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Minister | Blade Nzimande |
| Preceded by | Himself (for Higher Education) Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi (for Science and Technology) |
| Succeeded by | Nomusa Dube-Ncube |
| Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training | |
| In office 17 October 2017 – 7 May 2019 |
|
| President | Jacob Zuma Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Minister | Hlengiwe Mkhize Naledi Pandor |
| Preceded by | Mduduzi Manana |
| Succeeded by | Himself (for Higher Education, Science and Technology) |
| Deputy Minister in the Presidency | |
| In office 26 May 2014 – 17 October 2017 |
|
| President | Jacob Zuma |
| Minister | Jeff Radebe |
| Preceded by | Obed Bapela |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2009 |
|
| National Secretary of the Young Communist League of South Africa | |
| In office December 2003 – December 2014 |
|
| Chairperson | David Masondo Yershen Pillay |
| Preceded by | League re-established |
| Succeeded by | Mluleki Dlelanga |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Buti Kgwaridi Manamela
10 July 1979 Phagameng, Transvaal South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Other political affiliations |
South African Communist Party |
| Spouse | Nomvuyo Mhlakaza-Manamela |
| Alma mater | Witwatersrand University |
Buti Kgwaridi Manamela (born 10 July 1979) is a South African politician. He is currently the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology. He took on this role on 21 July 2025. Before that, he was the Deputy Minister in the same department since October 2017.
Mr. Manamela also served as the Deputy Minister in the Presidency from 2014 to 2017. He has been a member of the National Assembly for the African National Congress (ANC) since May 2009. He became well-known as a youth leader. He was the national secretary of the Young Communist League (YCL) from 2003 to 2014.
In December 2022, Mr. Manamela was chosen to be part of the ANC's National Executive Committee. This is a very important group within the party. He has also been an elected member of the South African Communist Party's (SACP) Central Committee since July 2012.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Buti Manamela was born on 10 July 1979. His birthplace was Phagameng, a town in Modimolle, Limpopo Province. He went to Phagameng High School. There, he was the president of the student council.
As a teenager in 1993, he joined the Congress of South African Students (COSAS). He also joined the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League. He was a branch secretary for the ANC Youth League from 1994 to 1996. In 1995, he was a branch coordinator for COSAS.
After finishing high school in 1997, Manamela studied electronic engineering. He attended Mamelodi College in Pretoria. He was the president of the student council there from 1998 to 1999. He was also active in the South African Students Congress (SASCO). He became SASCO's provincial chairperson. In 2000, he was the national deputy president.
After college, from 2001 to 2003, he worked as an organiser. He was with the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union. Later, in 2017, he earned a Master's degree in public policy. He got this degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Leading the Young Communist League
In December 2003, the South African Communist Party (SACP) restarted its Young Communist League (YCL). Buti Manamela was chosen as its first national secretary. He held this important position for more than ten years, until the end of 2014.
During his time as leader, the YCL strongly supported Jacob Zuma. Zuma later became the President of South Africa. In June 2008, Manamela was held at Heathrow Airport in London. The YCL said he was questioned for hours. British authorities said it was a routine check. Manamela was on a trip to meet with the British Young Communist League.
Serving in the National Assembly
In the 2009 general election, Buti Manamela was elected. He became a member of the National Assembly for the ANC. From 2011, he was a whip for the ANC. He worked in the committee that deals with labour issues. He also helped organise Mandela Day activities.
During this time, Mail & Guardian magazine recognised him. They named him one of the 200 Young South Africans in both 2009 and 2010. He was re-elected as YCL secretary in 2011. In 2012, he was directly elected to the SACP's Central Committee. In 2014, he was also elected to the ANC's Limpopo branch leadership.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency
In the May 2014 general election, Manamela was re-elected to the National Assembly. President Jacob Zuma then appointed him as Deputy Minister in the Presidency. He worked under Minister Jeff Radebe. His job included overseeing the National Planning Commission and youth development.
Before the YCL's national meeting in December 2014, Manamela announced he would step down. He wanted to allow new leaders to emerge. However, he continued to serve on the SACP Central Committee. He was re-elected to this committee in July 2017.
Minister of Higher Education
On 17 October 2017, President Zuma changed his cabinet. Manamela was appointed as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. He worked under Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize. He kept this role when Cyril Ramaphosa became president.
After the 2019 general election, the ministry changed. It became the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. Blade Nzimande was appointed as the Minister, and Manamela continued as Deputy Minister.
In December 2022, at the ANC's 55th National Conference, Manamela was elected. He became a member of the ANC National Executive Committee for five years. He was also re-elected to the SACP Central Committee in 2022. He was given the role of assistant secretary for internal media and publications for the party. Buti Manamela became the Minister of Higher Education after Nobuhle Nkabinde resigned.
Personal Life
Buti Manamela is married to politician Vuyo Mhlakaza. They have two children together. In 2018, he participated in the Comrades Marathon, a very long running race.
