Panyaza Lesufi (born 18 June 1969) is a South African politician who has served as the Premier of Gauteng province since October 2022. He is a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and has held multiple senior positions in the Gauteng provincial government, primarily overseeing education and finance portfolios.
Early life and education
Lesufi was born in Soweto, Johannesburg. He attended local schools before pursuing higher education at the University of Pretoria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. He later earned a Master of Education degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Political career
-
Provincial Government Roles
- MEC for Education (2009–2014): Appointed by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, Lesufi was responsible for overseeing Gauteng’s public education system. He continued in this role under Premier David Makhura after a cabinet reshuffle.
- MEC for Finance and e‑Government (2014–2018): In this capacity, Lesufi managed the province’s fiscal policies and the implementation of electronic government services.
- MEC for Education (2018–2022): Returning to the education portfolio, he led initiatives aimed at improving school infrastructure and learning outcomes.
-
ANC Leadership
- Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the ANC Gauteng (2022–present): Elected at the provincial elective conference in July 2022.
- Member of the ANC National Executive Committee (2022–present): Elected at the ANC’s 55th National Conference in December 2022.
-
Premier of Gauteng
- Following the resignation of Premier David Makhura, Lesufi was elected by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature as the province’s ninth Premier on 7 October 2022. He was sworn in the same day, becoming the youngest individual to hold the position.
Policy focus
During his tenure in various MEC roles and as Premier, Lesufi has emphasized improving educational quality, expanding digital infrastructure, and enhancing fiscal responsibility within the province. His administration has launched programs targeting school feeding, teacher development, and the modernization of public service delivery.
Personal life
Details regarding Lesufi’s personal life, including family and private affairs, are not extensively documented in publicly available reliable sources.
References
- Gauteng Provincial Government archives.
- African National Congress official statements and conference reports.
- South African media coverage of provincial cabinet appointments and elections.