Paul Sonnyboy Helepi - Free State

Commissioner Helepi obtained a Bachelor of Administration and Master of Public Administration from the University of Free State. He is currently doing his PhD in Performance Management in Higher Education.

A teacher by profession, Commissioner Helepi taught in various high schools, including Phephetso Secondary in Kroostad. Other positions that he held throughout his career include amongst others: Director of Free State Higher and Further Education and Training Trust, Manager of Support Services for Higher Education Restructuring at the University of Free State, and Manager Support Services in the office of the Registrar at the University of Free State.

He has done extensive research in areas such as Leadership Management, Management Information Systems, Equity, and Institutional Planning and Governance.

Commissioner Helepi was very much involved in union activities and the positions that he held include amongst others, Chairperson of the Kroonstad branch of the South African Democratic Teachers Union as well as Chairperson of the South African Student Congress at the University of Free State. He is the founder member of the Maokeng Progressive Teachers Organisation in Kroonstad, which later became the South African Democratic Teachers Union.

Currently, Commissioner Helepi is advisor of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund on Further Education and Training. He joined the PSC in January 2004.