DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Education in Cape Town

The aim of the DBE is to develop, maintain and support a South African school education system for the 21st century. Our vision is of a South Africa in which all our people will have access to lifelong learning, education and training opportunities, which will, in turn, contribute towards improving the quality of life and building a peaceful, prosperous and democratic South Africa. Our mission is to provide leadership in the establishment of a South African education system for the 21st century. People: Upholding the Constitution, being accountable to the Minister, the government and the people of South Africa. Excellence: Maintaining high standards of performance and professionalism by aiming for excellence in everything we do, including being fair, ethical and trustworthy in all that we do. Teamwork: Cooperating with one another and with our partners in education in an open and supportive way to achieve shared goals. Learning: Creating a learning organisation in which staff members seek and share knowledge and information while committing themselves to personal growth. Innovation: Striving to address the training needs for high-quality service and seeking ways to achieve our goals. Strategic outcome-orientated goals: Improved quality of basic education. 2.1 Establish a world-class system of standardised national assessments. 2.2 Extract key lessons from ongoing participation in international assessments. Mrs Angelina Matsie Motshekga, MP, has been involved in education since 1981, when she was a teacher at Orlando High School. She has since held various positions, the most current being the Minister of Basic Education and member of the ANC's NEC. Mr Hubert Mathanzima Mweli comes to the position with a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of the needs and challenges in the sector. He has a number of qualifications which include a Bachelor of Arts in Education with Honours, a Bachelor of Administration in Industrial Relations with Honours, and a Master’s Degree in Development and Management, all from the University of the North West. Each DBE branch is divided into chief directorates, managed by chief directors. Headed by Ms Vivienne Carelse, Branch:R's purpose is to support co-ordination and implementation of departmental, sector-wide and cluster programmes of action. Branch:T's purpose is to promote quality teaching and institutional performance through effective supply, development and utilisation of human resources in collaboration with the ETDP SETA, ELRC and SACE. Headed by Dr Granville Whittle, Branch:S's purpose is to provide social support and auxiliary services to learners and teachers. Headed by Mr Paddy Padayachee, Branch: P's purpose is to promote education quality and effective service delivery in the basic education system through monitoring and evaluation, planning and assessment, supported by NEEDU.