Barbara Creecy

Barbara Creecy has been Minister at DEFF since 30 May 2019. She is a leader within the African National Congress political party and currently serves as a member of the National Executive Committee and National Working Committee. Between 1994 and 2004 she served in the provincial legislature in different portfolios including Deputy Chief Whip as well as Chairperson of the Social Development and Education Committees. In 2004 she was appointed Member of Executive Council (MEC) for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture. After the General Elections in 2009, Ms. Creecy moved to the Education portfolio. It was under her leadership that the Gauteng Department of Education pioneered a turnaround strategy to improve matric performance in 400 underperforming township schools. In April 2014, the program was recognized by the United Nations and awarded first prize in the category “Improving Delivery of Public Services”.