The members of the Council on Higher Education are appointed by the Minister of Education following a call for nominations from higher education stakeholders and the general public. The Members of the Council are appointed in their own right as people with specialist knowledge and expertise in higher education matters. Although the Members are drawn from various constituencies, the Council functions as an independent expert statutory body and not as a body of representatives of organisations, institutions or constituencies.

The Higher Education Act makes provision for a Council Chairperson, thirteen ordinary members, a maximum of three co-opted members and eight non-voting members. At least three of the 13 Ordinary Members of the Council must be external to the higher education sector. Members are appointed for a four year period, and the Chairperson for five years. Any co-opted member of the Council holds office for a period determined by the Council.

The Council appoints an Executive Committee (EXCO), to deal with urgent matters. The EXCO consists of the Chairperson of the Council and four other Members appointed by the Council.

Ordinary Council Members
	Prof. Yunus Ballim	Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic University of Witwatersrand
	Dr Yvonne Dladla	Independent Consultant
	Prof. Magda Fourie-Malherbe	Vice Rector: Teaching University of Stellenbosch
	Ms Malebo Ledwaba	Lecturer Waterberg FET College
	Dr Nyambeni Luruli	Principal Scientist Sasol Polymers, PTC
	Dr Bandile Masuku	Obstetrician & Gynecologist Charlotte Maxeke /JHB Hospital
	Dr Letticia Moja	Independent Consultant
	Prof. Shireen Motala	Director: Postgraduate Centre for Education and Innovation University of Johannesburg
	Ms Dora Ndaba	Member Presidential Working Group on Women
	Mr Edmund Nxumalo	Senior Manager: Aviation Security Civil Aviation Authority
	Dr Zilungile Sosibo	Head of the FET Department Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
	Prof. Beverly Thaver	Deputy Dean Research, Faculty of Education University of the Western Cape
Co-opted Council Members
	Dr Molapo Qhobela	Vice-Principal: Institutional Development UNISA
	Prof Edmund Zingu	Independent Consultant
	Prof S Mogotlane	Independent Consultant
Ex-Officio Members
	Mr Ahmed Essop	Chief Executive Officer Council on Higher Education (CHE)
	Ms Joyce Mashabela	Chief Executive Officer Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
	Mr Joe Samuels	Chief Executive Officer South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
	Dr Diane Parker	Acting DDG: Universities Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
	Dr Thomas Auf der Heyde	DDG: Human Capital and Knowledge Systems Department of Science and Technology (DST)
	Dr Mafu Rakometsi	Chief Executive Officer Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (UMALUSI)
	Dr Albert van Jaarsveld	President & CEO National Research Foundation