Panyaza Andrek Lesufi has a deep interest in establishing new public institutions from scratch. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (ELM) as the key person behind the founding Executive Mayor, the late Bavumile Vilakazi. He was also approached by the then Minister of Social Development, the late Dr. Zola Skweyiya, to be part of a team to establish what is known today as the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). He further worked with Minister Nathi Mthethwa in the Police when the process to establish the Priority Crimes Unit (The HAWKS) unfolded. Lesufi was also at the forefront when the Department of Basic Education (DBE) was established in 2014.
In a nutshell, Lesufi is a former spokesperson and advisor to the Minister of Education, Ms Angie Motshekga. He was appointed as a MEC for Education in the Gauteng Province, a position he held from 2014 till 06 October 2022, where he was thereafter elected as the seventh Premier of the Gauteng Province, taking over from former Premier, David Makhura.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration
He has worked in post-1994 administration in various capacities, including:
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