Meet the Minister: BP Sonjica

Previously the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica was appointed as the Minister of Mineral and Energy in May 2006 in a change of members of Cabinet. Ms Sonjica, who is viewed by political commentators as an effective and personable cabinet member, has been moved into the high-profile ministry of minerals and energy, a sector that the President is known to take seriously.

Personal information

Ms Buyelwa Patience Sonjica was born on 23 March 1950.

Current position

Minister of Minerals and Energy, appointed on 22 May 2006.

Academic qualifications

• Primary and high school education in Port Elizabeth
  
• 1977: Higher Primary Teacher's course at Rubusoma Training College
  
• 1983: Secondary Teachers Certificate from Vista University (Port Elizabeth campus)
  
• Bachelor of Arts, Vista University (majoring in English and isiXhosa)
  
• Bachelor of Arts honours, Rhodes University (majoring in isiXhosa)
  
• Current: Diploma in Economics at the University of London

Career and membership

• 1970 - 1971: Indestex Textile Company.
• 1971 - 1972: Student nurse at Livingstone Hospital.
• 1979 - 1980: Teacher at Phakamisa High School.
• 1980 - 1992: Teacher at Emfundweni Higher Primary.
• 1992 - 1994: Teacher at Dower Teacher Primary College.
• 1976 - 1977: Inspired by the Black Consciousness Movement, became involved in student politics in the East London area.
  Involved in the activities of the Mass Democratic Movement, including the United Democratic Front (UDF) and NEUSA. Became an active member of South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) from its inception.
• 1992 - 1994: Having served on the Branch Executive Committee at Kwa-Magxaki in Port Elizabeth, was elected for the Regional Executive Committee of both the African National Congress (ANC) and African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) and the ANC Regional Working Committee.
  Headed the Department of Arts of the ANC in the old Eastern Cape region. Was involved in both transformation of the arts and the development of the ANC policy under Wally Serote, who was the national co-ordinator.
• 1994: Elected to Parliament.
• 1994 - 1997: Served on the first Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Arts and Culture.
  Also served on the portfolio committees on finance, trade and industry as well as water affairs and forestry.
• 1995: Chairperson of the Select Committee on Child Care Facilities.
• 1994 - 1999: ANC Whip.
• 26 February 2003 - 28 April 2004: Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture Science and Technology of the Republic of South Africa.
• 29 April 2004 - 21 May 2006: Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry.
• 22 May 2006: Minister of Minerals and Energy.