Panyaza Lesufi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Panyaza Lesufi
MPL
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Lesufi in 2014
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| 7th Premier of Gauteng | |
| Assumed office 6 October 2022 |
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| Preceded by | David Makhura |
| Chairperson of the African National Congress in Gauteng | |
| Assumed office 27 June 2022 |
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| Deputy | Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko |
| Preceded by | David Makhura |
| Gauteng MEC for Education | |
| In office 31 May 2019 – 6 October 2022 |
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| Premier | David Makhura |
| Preceded by | Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko |
| Succeeded by | Matome Chiloane |
| In office 23 May 2014 – 29 May 2019 |
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| Premier | David Makhura |
| Preceded by | Barbara Creecy |
| Succeeded by | Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko |
| Acting Gauteng MEC for Social Development | |
| In office 5 November 2019 – 19 June 2020 |
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| Premier | David Makhura |
| Preceded by | Thuliswa Nkabinde-Khawe |
| Succeeded by | Nomathemba Mokgethi |
| Gauteng MEC for Finance and e-Government | |
| In office 30 May 2019 – 31 May 2019 |
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| Premier | David Makhura |
| Preceded by | Barbara Creecy |
| Succeeded by | Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko |
| Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature | |
| Assumed office 21 May 2014 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Andrek Lesufi
4 September 1968 Edenvale, South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Other political affiliations |
South African Communist Party |
| Alma mater | University of Natal |
| Occupation | Politician |
Andrek "Panyaza" Lesufi (born on September 4, 1968) is a South African politician. He became the seventh Premier of Gauteng in October 2022. The Premier is like the head of the provincial government.
Before becoming Premier, he was a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in the Gauteng Provincial Government. He held this important role from May 2014 to October 2022. For a very short time in May 2019, he was also the MEC for Finance. He also served as acting MEC for Social Development from November 2019 to June 2020.
Panyaza Lesufi was active in fighting against apartheid (a system of racial segregation). He also worked as an education activist. He started his political journey in government jobs and communications. He worked for the government of Ekurhuleni and later for the national government. From 2009 to 2014, he worked in the Department of Basic Education. In 2014, he was first elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. He is a member of the African National Congress (ANC), a major political party. He has been part of the ANC's leadership in Gauteng since 2007. In June 2022, he became the party's Provincial Chairperson. He is also a member of the South African Communist Party.
Early Life and Activism
Where Did Panyaza Lesufi Grow Up?
Andrek Lesufi was born on September 4, 1968, in Edenvale, South Africa. His family had to move to Tembisa because of the apartheid-era Group Areas Act. This law forced different racial groups to live in separate areas. He got the nickname "Panyaza" because he loved football.
What Was His School Life Like?
He went to Tlamatlama Lower Primary School and Tshepisa Higher Primary School. He finished high school at Boitumelong Senior Secondary School in Tembisa. During his school years, he became very involved in student politics. He later studied at the University of Natal and earned a Master's degree in business administration.
How Was He Involved in Activism?
While at university, Lesufi was elected president of the student representative council. This council represents the students' interests. He joined several student groups that were against apartheid. These included the Congress of South African Students (COSAS). He also worked with community groups like the Community Policing Forum. These groups were part of the United Democratic Front (UDF), which fought against apartheid.
During the difficult times of political violence in the 1980s and early 1990s, he was active in community self-defence groups. He was arrested twice for his activism. This happened in 1989 and 1995. When the African National Congress (ANC) was allowed to operate again in 1990, he helped rebuild its local branches.
Early Government Career
Working in Local and National Government
After apartheid ended in 1994, Panyaza Lesufi started working in government. He held several important roles. When the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality was created in 2000, he became the spokesperson for its first mayor. A spokesperson helps share information with the public.
He also worked as a spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority. This is the body that handles legal cases. He helped set up the South African Social Security Agency in 2005. He also worked with the Minister of Police to establish the Hawks, a special police unit, in 2008.
Role in Basic Education
After the 2009 general election, he became an advisor to Angie Motshekga. She was the new Minister of Basic Education. In July 2011, he became the head of communications for the Department of Basic Education. He was even named Media Liaison Officer of the Year in 2012. For a short time in 2014, he was the acting director-general in the department.
Joining the Gauteng Provincial Government
In the 2014 general election, Lesufi was elected as a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. This meant he became a representative for the people of Gauteng. He was then appointed as the MEC for Education by the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura.
He was re-elected in the 2019 general election. Premier Makhura first appointed him as MEC for Finance and e-Government. However, just one day later, he was moved back to being MEC for Education. This change happened because many people wanted him to continue his work in education. From November 2019 to June 2020, he also served as acting MEC for Social Development.
Rise in the Gauteng ANC
Becoming a Leader in the ANC
During his time in government, Panyaza Lesufi also became a more senior leader within the ANC in Gauteng. He served as a local branch secretary for many years. In 2007, he was elected to the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC in Gauteng. This is a key leadership group.
Deputy Chairperson Role
In June 2018, he was elected Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng. He won this position by a small number of votes. This showed his growing influence within the party.
Becoming Chairperson
In 2022, the previous Provincial Chairperson, David Makhura, did not seek re-election. Panyaza Lesufi then ran for the top position. On June 27, 2022, he was elected Provincial Chairperson of the Gauteng ANC. This made him the most senior ANC leader in the province. His running mate, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, became his deputy.
Lesufi is also a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP). The SACP works closely with the ANC.
Premier of Gauteng
How He Became Premier
On October 4, 2022, David Makhura announced he was stepping down as Premier. Some groups within the ANC wanted Lesufi to take over. This was to avoid having "two centres of power" – meaning the Premier and the party chairperson should ideally be the same person.
On October 6, 2022, the Gauteng provincial legislature elected Panyaza Lesufi to be the new Premier. He won against Solly Msimanga, who was the leader of the opposition party.
His Role as Premier
Panyaza Lesufi was re-elected as the Premier of Gauteng on June 14, 2024. This happened after different political parties agreed to form a Government of National Unity. This means parties work together to govern.
After his election, Premier Lesufi announced his cabinet. A cabinet is a group of top government officials who help the Premier run the province. His cabinet included members from various opposition parties.
