Blade Nzimande

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The Honorable Blade Nzimande MP
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 July 2024
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Deputy	Nomalungelo Gina
Preceded by	Himself (for Higher Education, Science and Technology)
9th National Chairperson of the South African Communist Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 July 2022
Deputy	Thulas Nxesi
General Secretary	Solly Afrika Mapaila
Preceded by	Gwede Mantashe
13th General Secretary of the South African Communist Party
In office July 1998 – 16 July 2022
Deputy	Solly Afrika Mapaila Jeremy Cronin
Preceded by	Charles Nqakula
Succeeded by	Solly Afrika Mapaila
Prior cabinet offices 2009–2024 Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology In office 30 May 2019 – 30 June 2024 President Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy Buti Manamela Preceded by Naledi Pandor (Higher Education) Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane (Science and Technology) Succeeded by Nobuhle Nkabane (Higher Education) Himself (Science and Technology) Minister of Transport In office 28 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 President Cyril Ramaphosa Deputy Sindy Chikunga Preceded by Joe Maswanganyi Succeeded by Fikile Mbalula Acting Minister of Home Affairs In office 13 November 2018 – 22 November 2018 President Cyril Ramaphosa Preceded by Malusi Gigaba Succeeded by Siyabonga Cwele Minister of Higher Education and Training In office 11 May 2009 – 17 October 2017 President Jacob Zuma Deputy Mduduzi Manana Hlengiwe Mkhize Preceded by Naledi Pandor Succeeded by Hlengiwe Mkhize
Personal details
Born	Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande (1958-04-14) 14 April 1958 (age 66) Edendale, Msunduzi, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Citizenship	South Africa
Political party	South African Communist Party
Other political affiliations	African National Congress (Tripartite Alliance)
Spouse	Phumelele Ntombela-Nzimande
Children	2
Education	University of Natal (PhD)
Occupation	Politician sociologist philosopher educator anti-apartheid activist

Bonginkosi Emmanuel "Blade" Nzimande (born 14 April 1958 in Edendale near Pietermaritzburg) is a South African politician, sociologist, and former anti-apartheid activist who is currently serving as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. A cabinet minister since 2009, Nzimande was the General Secretary of the South African Communist Party from 1998 to 2022.^[1][2]

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.^[3]