Panyaza Lesufi Biography: Early Life, Education, State of Origin, Personal Life and Age 2025

Panyaza Lesufi Biography

Panyaza Lesufi is a well-known South African politician. His full name is Andrek Lesufi. He serves as the Premier of Gauteng Province, a position he took in October 2022. He was re-elected in June 2024. Before that, he worked as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in Gauteng from May 2014 to October 2022. Lesufi belongs to the African National Congress (ANC) party. He is also a member of the South African Communist Party. People know him for his work in education and his efforts to fight crime and create jobs. His nickname “Panyaza” comes from his love for football. Lesufi grew up during apartheid, which shaped his life and career. He started as an activist and rose to become a key leader in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic center.

Panyaza Lesufi Early Life

Andrek Lesufi grew up in a time of great change in South Africa. He was born on September 4, 1968. Apartheid laws forced many families to move. His family had to leave Edenvale and settle in Tembisa township. This happened because of the Group Areas Act, which separated people by race. In Tembisa, Lesufi faced the challenges of township life. He played football a lot as a young boy, which gave him his nickname “Panyaza.” He attended local schools: Tlamatlama Lower Primary School, Tshepisa Higher Primary School, and Boitumelong Senior Secondary School. From a young age, he got involved in community activities. His older brother, Nikisi Lesufi, was a student leader who escaped prison and joined the ANC in exile. This influenced young Lesufi. He joined student groups and became active against apartheid. He was detained twice for his activism: once in 1989 at Modderbee Prison and again in 1995 at Durban City Prison. These experiences built his strong commitment to justice and education.

Panyaza Lesufi State of Origin

Panyaza Lesufi was born in Edenvale, which was part of the Transvaal Province at the time. Today, Edenvale is in Gauteng Province. Some sources call his birthplace Dindela in Ekurhuleni. Due to apartheid laws, his family moved to Tembisa soon after. Tembisa is a large township in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Lesufi is South African by nationality and of Black ethnicity. He grew up in Gauteng and has spent most of his life there. Gauteng is the smallest but most populous province in South Africa. It is the economic hub, home to Johannesburg and Pretoria. Lesufi’s roots in Gauteng have kept him focused on issues like jobs, education, and safety in the province.

Panyaza Lesufi Education

Lesufi valued learning from an early age. After secondary school in Tembisa, he went to the University of Natal, now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. There, he studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He became very active in student politics. He served as president of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the Durban campus. He was part of groups like the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and the South African Student Congress. Lesufi also founded Dome Youth Radio and edited the student newspaper. He sat on the university council and senate. Later, he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration. The university honored him with the Chief Albert Luthuli Award for his leadership. Former President Thabo Mbeki presented it. This education helped him in his later roles in government and activism.

Panyaza Lesufi Career

Lesufi’s career started after apartheid ended in 1994. He worked in public service and communications. In 2000, when Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality was formed, he became spokesperson for the first mayor, Bavumile Vilakazi. He helped set up new institutions, like the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Hawks police unit. From 2009 to 2014, he worked in the national Department of Basic Education. In 2014, he entered the Gauteng Provincial Legislature as an ANC member. He became MEC for Education under Premier David Makhura. He held this role until 2022, except for a short time in 2019 when he was MEC for Finance. People wanted him back in education, so he returned quickly. As education MEC, he improved schools by adding technology, building new ones, and removing unsafe structures. He focused on teacher training and better results.

In the ANC, Lesufi rose steadily. He was branch secretary in Tembisa and joined the provincial executive in 2007. In 2018, he became deputy provincial chairperson. In June 2022, he was elected ANC Gauteng chairperson. In October 2022, he became Premier after David Makhura stepped down. He was re-elected in 2024. As Premier, he launched crime prevention wardens called AmaPanyaza to fight crime. He has worked on job creation, economic growth, and hosting events like the G20 in 2025. Lesufi aims to make Gauteng a “smart province” with better services.

Panyaza Lesufi Personal Life

Panyaza Lesufi keeps his family life private. Public records do not share details about his wife or children. He focuses on his work and rarely talks about personal matters. He is passionate about football and serves as president of Moroka Swallows FC. He has invested in the club to keep it running. Lesufi often speaks about gratitude to his family, like his mother, Sibongile Imelda Promise Lesufi. He values community and youth development, which comes from his own upbringing.

Panyaza Lesufi Controversies

Lesufi’s career has faced some challenges. As education MEC, some groups accused him of changing Afrikaans-medium schools to English or dual-medium. Critics called it a “war on Afrikaans.” He said it was to ease overcrowding and promote access. In 2020, there were questions about school cleaning contracts during COVID-19. As Premier, the AmaPanyaza crime wardens program drew criticism. The Public Protector found it unlawful in 2025 because it lacked proper legal setup. Lesufi announced plans to retrain wardens as traffic officers. In November 2025, the Democratic Alliance brought a motion of no confidence over this issue. It failed, as most parties voted against it. Lesufi has defended his actions as efforts to improve safety and services.

Conclusion

Panyaza Lesufi has come a long way from a township activist to Gauteng Premier. His life shows dedication to education, justice, and better lives for people. From fighting apartheid as a student to leading the province today, he focuses on real changes like better schools and safer streets. Challenges exist, but his work in government has touched many lives. As of December 2025, Lesufi continues to lead Gauteng through growth and unity. His story inspires young South Africans to serve their communities.

FAQs

Who is Panyaza Lesufi?

Panyaza Lesufi is the Premier of Gauteng Province since October 2022. He is an ANC politician and former education MEC.

How old is Panyaza Lesufi?

He was born on September 4, 1968, so he is 57 years old as of December 2025.

What is Panyaza Lesufi’s real name?

His full name is Andrek Lesufi.

Where was Panyaza Lesufi born?

He was born in Edenvale, Gauteng (formerly Transvaal Province).

What party does Panyaza Lesufi belong to?

He is a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party.

What are Panyaza Lesufi’s main achievements?

He improved education in Gauteng with new schools and technology. As Premier, he started crime-fighting programs and focused on jobs.

Is Panyaza Lesufi married?

He keeps his personal life private. No public details about his wife or children are available.

What controversies has Panyaza Lesufi faced?

There were debates over school language policies and the AmaPanyaza wardens program, which was ruled unlawful in 2025.