The Minister of Higher Education is a Minister in the South African Cabinet that has the responsibility of overseeing the Department of Higher Education, which is responsible for higher education.
Before 10 May 2009, the portfolio was part of the Ministry of Education, with responsibility for both basic education and higher education, the former now being the responsibility of the Minister of Basic Education.
Ministers with responsibility for Higher Education
| Sibusiso | Education | 1994-1999 | Nelson Mandela |
| Kader Asmal | Education | 17 June 1999 – 2004 | Thabo Mbeki |
| Naledi Pandor | Education | 2004-2008 | |
| Education | 2008-2009 | Kgalema Motlanthe | |
| Blade Nzimande | Higher Education and Training | 2009-2017 | Jacob Zuma |
| Hlengiwe Mkhize | Higher Education and Training | October 2017 – 26 February 2018 | |
| Naledi Pandor | Higher Education and Training | 26 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Blade Nzimande | Higher Education, Science and Technology | 30 May 2019 – present | Cyril Ramaphosa |
