The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, wishes to congratulate the newly appointed Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Mr Gwebinkundla (Gwebs) Qonde. Mr Qonde’s appointment was confirmed by the Cabinet in its meeting of Wednesday, 7 September, and is effective immediately.
Mr Qonde brings a wealth of management experience, and a deep passion for serving our people, particularly the poor who rely on the public sector to access higher education and training, the only weapon that they can use to extricate themselves from poverty and a life of indignity. He is known for his impatience with officials who do not show empathy for those that we are here to serve.
The Minister warmly welcomes the Mr Qonde in this new role, though he has been a part of the DHET family almost from the establishment of the department, and wishes him everything of the best in fulfilling this big responsibility, and looks forward to a continued healthy and mutually respectful working relationship.
The Minister calls on all stakeholders of the department, and the higher education and training sector at large, to offer their full support to the new Director-General (DG), and to work with the department to change the face our country through the skills revolution that is being led by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
