By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Nobuhle Nkabane as Minister of Higher Education and Training amid mounting controversy over politically connected appointments to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards.
The president has swiftly filled the vacancy by appointing deputy minister Buti Manamela as the new minister, and former ZwaZul-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube in his old position as deputy minister.
The changes were confirmed by the Presidency in a statement issued late Monday evening, citing Section 91(2) and Section 93(b) of the Constitution as the basis for the appointments.
Manamela, a long-serving member of the executive, had been Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training since 2014.
His elevation to the ministerial position marks a continuity of leadership, but also signals Ramaphosa’s attempt to restore stability and credibility in a portfolio crucial to tackling youth unemployment, skills shortages and institutional dysfunction in the post-school education system.
Manamela is a well-known figure in the education and youth development sectors, with a political career rooted in the Young Communist League and the African National Congress.
His appointment is being viewed as a logical progression following years of experience within the department, during which he oversaw key initiatives in TVET college development, student funding and SETA reform.
Manamela’s familiarity with policy processes and longstanding relationships with key education stakeholders are expected to ease the transition and facilitate continuity in programmes aimed at modernising the sector.
Section 93(b) of the Constitution allows the president to appoint up to two deputy ministers from outside the National Assembly.
The presidency said that Dube-Ncube brought a wealth of experience to the position.
She previously served as MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs in KwaZulu-Natal and was most recently the premier of the province, the first woman to hold that office.
Known for her administrative acumen and strong leadership record, Dube-Ncube’s appointment is being welcomed as an injection of new energy into the department.
The reshuffle follows months of tension and criticism directed at Nkabane.
Her tenure had become increasingly untenable after revelations surfaced that several SETA board chairpersons appointed under her leadership were either politically connected or held positions within her department, raising serious concerns about transparency and governance.
The crisis peaked when Nkabane failed to appear at two successive meetings of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, where she had been expected to explain the SETA appointments.
Her absence drew sharp rebuke from opposition parties and civil society alike.
She was scheduled to appear on Tuesday before the committee to account for the controversial process, a meeting that is now in doubt following her dismissal.
In a statement released shortly after her removal, Nkabane confirmed her exit and expressed gratitude to Ramaphosa for the opportunity to serve in Cabinet.
“It was a privilege to lead such a crucial portfolio and I remain committed to the service of South Africans,” she said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the decision to remove Nkabane, with national spokesperson and MP Karabo Khakhau, who had earlier in the day renewed calls for her dismissal, citing poor leadership and alleged cadre deployment in SETA governance.
“To the Republic and its people, we remain committed. What a fight!” she said on X.
There is uncertainty over whether Manamela will attend the higher education committee meeting in her place, however, despite the removal of her executive position, Nkabane remains an MP and is potentially liable to the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests.
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