Panyaza Lesufi

Panyaza Lesufi MPL
Lesufi in 2014
7th Premier of Gauteng
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 October 2022
Preceded by	David Makhura
Chairperson of the African National Congress in Gauteng
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 June 2022
Deputy	Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko
Preceded by	David Makhura
Gauteng MEC for Education
In office 31 May 2019 – 6 October 2022
Premier	David Makhura
Preceded by	Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko
Succeeded by	Matome Chiloane
In office 23 May 2014 – 29 May 2019
Premier	David Makhura
Preceded by	Barbara Creecy
Succeeded by	Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko
Acting Gauteng MEC for Social Development
In office 5 November 2019 – 19 June 2020
Premier	David Makhura
Preceded by	Thuliswa Nkabinde-Khawe
Succeeded by	Nomathemba Mokgethi
Gauteng MEC for Finance and e-Government
In office 30 May 2019 – 31 May 2019
Premier	David Makhura
Preceded by	Barbara Creecy
Succeeded by	Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko
Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 May 2014
Personal details
Born	Andrek Lesufi (1968-09-04) 4 September 1968 (age 55) Edenvale, South Africa
Political party	African National Congress
Other political affiliations	South African Communist Party
Alma mater	University of Natal
Occupation	Politician

Andrek "Panyaza" Lesufi (born 4 September 1968) is a South African politician who was appointed the seventh Premier of Gauteng in October 2022. He was previously Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in the Gauteng provincial government between May 2014 and October 2022, with the exception of a two-day stint as MEC for Finance in May 2019. Simultaneously, he was acting MEC for Social Development between November 2019 and June 2020.

A former anti-apartheid and education activist, Lesufi began his political career in public administration and communications in the government of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng and in the national government, where he worked in the Department of Basic Education from 2009 to 2014. He was first elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 2014. He is a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and has served on its Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee since 2007; he was appointed the party's Provincial Chairperson in June 2022. He is also a member of the South African Communist Party.