Dr R. Cassius Lubisi holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, a Higher Diploma in Education (HDE), and a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree from the University of Natal and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.

Among other positions, Dr Lubisi worked as Academic Development Coordinator in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Durban-Westville, and as Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.

Dr Lubisi previously served as Special Advisor to the late former Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal, as Deputy Director-General: General Education in the then national Department of Education, as Superintendent-General of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education – the second largest department in the country after SAPS, and for ten years as Director-General in the Presidency and Secretary of the Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa until the end of August 2020 under the Zuma and the Ramaphosa Administrations.

In his capacity as Director-General in the Presidency, Dr Lubisi also served as the Chairperson of the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD) and as Chancellor of National Orders. He also served as Secretary of the National Security Council, the highest national security organ in South Africa – chaired by the President, and as Head of the South African National Security Secretariat.

Dr Lubisi played a major role in the development of post-apartheid education policy under several Ministers of Education. In this regard, he served as a member of the National Advisory Group of the Culture of Learning Presidential Lead Project during the Mandela Administration, as a member of the Ministerial Review Committee on Curriculum 2005, as Chairperson and Project Manager of the Ministerial Project Committee that developed the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12, as Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee on Literacy, as a member of the Education Think Tank of the Development Bank of Southern Africa under the Mbeki Administration, and also served as Chairperson of the Ministerial Project Committee that developed the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Grades R-12 under the Zuma Administration. He was the founding Chairperson of Umalusi (Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training).

Dr Lubisi serves on the boards of various private and state-own entities and companies, including, the KZN Growth Fund Agency, the Resource Mobilisation

Fund (RMF) and until 31 October 2025 as Chairperson of the HSRC Board. He is also the Managing Director of Maziwa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, and was recently appointed as None-Executive Director (NED) and Chairperson of the Board of CAJV (Pty) Ltd with effect from November 2025. Dr Lubisi is a member of the Institute of Directors Southern Africa (IoDSA).

Dr Lubisi is also Chairperson of the Departmental Advisory Committee in the Department of Home Affairs, as well as Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Review of Health HR Policies. He was recently, with effect from 15 August 2025, appointed for a five-year term by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a Commissioner in the Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers.

Dr Lubisi is a Distinguished Fellow of the National School of Government (NSG), in which role he leads in the professional development of senior public servants in South Africa and the African Continent, as well as represent South Africa in various international public administration forums.