Buyelwa Sonjica is a retired Member of the Parliament and Former Minister who served in the Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa. She served as a Member of Parliament from 1994 -2010 and served as both Deputy Minister and Minister for a period of seven years. 

She served as a party whip of the majority political party from 1994-1999, while in Parliament she chaired the following portfolio committees;

• Childcare facilities which developed policy for childcare a contribution that engendered parliament. culminating in the establishment of such facilities for the children of parliamentarians.
• Served on the Portfolio Committee for Trade and Industry as well as the Portfolio Committee on Finance.
• In 1996 she was appointed by the then Eastern Cape MEC for Education to serve in the Council of the then University of Port Elizabeth currently known as Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
• Chaired the Portfolio Committee on water and Forestry from 1999-2003.
• Appointed Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Science and Technology 2003-2004
• Appointed Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry 2004-2006.
• Appointed Minister for Minerals and Energy 2006-2008
• Appointed Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs 2009-2010

International Participation
While in government she had an opportunity to participate in various bilateral and multilateral engagements including Chairing some sessions at the United Nations for the World Sustainable Development, the Annual UN sessions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. Participated in the Mining Indaba in China and Canada, served as the President of Africa Committee of Ministers on Environment, President of the African Ministers Council on Water.

Represented the African continent through Chairing several sessions at the World Water Week in Sweden. Participated in several sessions of the World Economic Forum. She had an opportunity to participate at the G8 sessions.

She led South Africa’s delegation to the Copenhagen Conference of Parties known as COP 15 including the Preparatory-COP16 Ministerial Meeting in Cancun.

Her involvement in the Major Economies Forum (MEF), India, Brazil and South Africa Forum IBSA (IBSA) and the Climate Change Ministerial Forum for Brazil, South Africa, India and China. Participation at the Africa –EU Development Dialogue on Climate Change.

This included her exposure in several Bi-National Commissions aimed at advancing South Africa’s Foreign Policy.

Political Involvement
Active in student politics and the Mass democratic Movement under the auspices of the United Democratic Movement Served the ANC in various structures namely;

• Member Eastern Cape Regional Executive Committee, 1992 – 1994
• Member of the Provincial executive committee
• Regional executive member of the ANC Women’s League
• Served as the arts and Culture Eastern Cape Regional Coordinator
• Participated in the development of the Reconstruction and Development