1. Blade Nzimande formerly served as the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology from 2019 to 2024, as Minister of Transport from 2018 to 2019, and as Minister of Higher Education and Training from 2009 to 2017.
16 Facts About Blade Nzimande
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Blade Nzimande attended the Roman Catholic School, Henryville, and then Plessiers Lower Primary School before going to Mthethomusha School in Edendale, the first school in the area established under the new Bantu education system.
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Blade Nzimande completed a Psychology Honours degree at the University of Natal in 1980, a master's degree in Industrial Psychology in 1981, and a PhD from the same university for a thesis titled The corporate guerrillas: class formation and the African corporate petty bourgeoisie in post-1973 South Africa, in the field of Sociology.
4.
In 1976 Blade Nzimande enrolled at the University of Zululand to study for a BA degree in Public Administration and Psychology.
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Blade Nzimande became involved in student activity, including a food boycott and demonstrations against the award of an honorary doctorate to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in May 1976.
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Blade Nzimande returned to university in 1977 and completed his degree in 1979.
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In January 1982 Blade Nzimande moved to Durban, and at that stage was active in the Dambuza Youth Organisation which affiliated to the United Democratic Front after its launch in 1983.
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In 1982 Blade Nzimande undertook his internship in Industrial Psychology in the personnel department of Tongaat Hulett Sugar Ltd.
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Blade Nzimande was then offered a post as a lecturer at the Umlazi branch of the University of Zululand where he founded the Department of Industrial Psychology on that campus.
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Blade Nzimande continued to assist with trade unions seminars teaching the history of trade unionism.
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Blade Nzimande lectured until June 1987 and then joined the University of Natal, Durban to lecture in the Psychology Department.
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Blade Nzimande wrote various articles on violence, and assisted in the presentation of seminars.
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Blade Nzimande criticized the government of Thabo Mbeki and its economic policy, and he was vocal in his support for the removal of Mbeki as President of South Africa.
14.
Blade Nzimande began to attack Mbeki's interim successor, President Kgalema Motlanthe, in early January 2009.
15.
On many occasions, Blade Nzimande criticised the rulings of the judiciary.
16.
In June 2017 Blade Nzimande criticised President Zuma, calling his latest Cabinet reshuffle an abuse of power and repeating calls for him to step down.