Johnathan Paoli
THE South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has noted the appointment of Nobuhle Nkabane as the Minister of Higher Education and said it hoped her appointment would usher in a new drive for transformation and the rooting out of corruption.
“We would like to see her challenging the stubbornness of higher education institutions to decolonise the curriculum and being resolute in rooting out corruption in institutions of higher learning and SETAs,” the union said.
The union further called on the Minister to focus on rooting out corruption in NSFAS and in TVET colleges, with immediate effect, “where colleges are managed Hollywood-style where everyone is acting”.
Sadtu said there was an urgent need for collective bargaining and there was clearly an obligation by the government to meet the needs of the country as it related to higher education.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Nkabane as Minister of Higher Education last week, taking over from former higher education minister Blade Nzimande, who was moved to Science, Innovation and Technology.
She previously served as the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy from 2021 until this year.
Nkabane holds a BA (Honours) in Administration, an MBA, and a PhD in Administration, and is currently studying towards further qualifications at Wits and the University of London.
She has over 9 post-matric qualifications and impeccable public service experience.
Nkabane has experience as a tutor at the University of South Africa, which should stand her in good stead in dealing with student challenges ranging from financial to academic stress.
Throughout the previous administration, issues relating to increased tuition fees, outstanding student debt, and disruptions in the distribution of financial assistance have affected students.
Academics, institutions and students have expressed high anticipation of Nkabane’s contribution to possible reforms that will tackle long-standing challenges and create a fair and encouraging higher education environment in the country.
INSIDE EDUCATION
