Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, was sworn in as a member of the National Executive Council, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 3 July 2024. On the day, the Minister said that “being appointed as the Minister of Basic Education is a massive responsibility that I do not take lightly,” adding that “there are certain matters that I hold close to my heart such as literacy and numeracy rates, and we need to get this right if we are going to raise a generation of children, primed for future economies. Another matter that requires attention is dealing with and eradicating pit toilets in provinces such as the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, and the Department will continue working with other Cabinet Ministers and sister departments such as Transport and Public Works to make this happen through collaboration as these matters must be dealt with collaboratively. In addition, I will be engaging with various stakeholders, trade unions, and industry experts to overhaul the education system to improve the standard and the experience of teachers in the sector for a world class education system that equips learners for the 21^st Century”.

Reflecting on the progress made to date, Minister Gwarube said: “Over the past two years, this administration has chosen a different path. We have chosen reform, discipline and delivery that must be felt in classrooms, teacher support, and learner outcomes. Two years ago, I was entrusted with the responsibility of leading South Africa's Basic Education Sector. Since then, we have travelled across all nine provinces, to hundreds of schools listening to learners, teachers, parents, and school communities. One lesson has become clear: strong foundations are the key to a better future. Over the past two years, we have focused on expanding Early Childhood Development (ECD); improving literacy and numeracy; supporting teachers; strengthening school safety; building partnerships and improving accountability. Whilst there is still much work to be done, meaningful reform is underway. Over the coming weeks, I invite you to reflect with me on the progress we've made, the lessons we've learned, and the work that still lies ahead. Together, we are building strong foundations for strong futures”.

Minister Gwarube officially reported for duty at the DBE office in Pretoria on 10 July 2024, following her appointment into the 7^th Administration. A week later, she delivered her maiden Budget Vote Speech, Budget Vote 16 for the 2024/25 Financial Year, to the National Assembly in Parliament, Cape Town, on 15 July 2024. During her speech, Minister Gwarube reminded the education sector of “our shared commitment to uplift and empower every child in South Africa through the provision of quality education, especially every child living in poor communities. It is our constitutional mandate to do so, to give meaningful expression to the right to basic education enshrined in our Constitution”.

The Minister recommitted to building a solid foundation for a quality and efficient basic education system, from ECD, through the Foundation, Intermediate and Senior Phases, to the Further Education and Training (FET) Band, identifying five key priorities for the 7^th Administration: to intensify efforts to improve access to and the quality of ECD, recognising that the formative years are critical to laying a strong foundation for our children's education journey; to improve literacy and numeracy skills across all phases of schooling; to increase efforts to improve access to and the quality of inclusive education; supporting teacher training and professional management; and improving school infrastructure, safety and learner well-being through improving access to electricity, water and adequate sanitation facilities.

Two years later, Minister Gwarube remains committed to building stronger foundations to produce stronger schools, stronger communities, and a stronger nation: “Our task is clear: build the foundations, build them early, build them well and build them for every child. Because stronger foundations prepare children for the future: Strong Foundations build Strong Futures”.