Former Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande had to endure a fair amount of controversy, and calls from various parties for him to resign. However those struggles were minor compared to the problems that have afflicted Nobhule Nkabane over the few months in office.
The former Minister was widely criticised when she issued a list of people to take up the roles of Chairperson at the 21 SETAs. The list was widely comdemned as not included inividuals with relevant experience - but rather favouring political insiders.
Things got worse when the former Minister tried to deflect the blame to officials who had advised her. But then Terry Mokau denied publicly that he had headed the committee that suggested the appointments.
Things haven't got better. Only last week the former Minister snubbed the Parliamentary Portfolio committee which is tasked with supervising the Minister. She declined to appear at a meeting.
President Ramaphosa has now acted and the Nkabane has been fired. Promoted to full Minister is Buti Manamela who has held the Deputy Minister position in the department very ably for many years.
In a statement from the Presidency, it was also announced that Dr Nnomusa Dube-Ncube has been appointed to be the new Deputy Minister.
"President Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 93 (b) of the Constitution appointed Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. Dr Dube's long government leadership experience includes serving as MEC for Coopertaive Government and Traditional affairs and Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal amongst other roles. Section 93 (b) empowers the President to appoint no more than two Deputy Ministers from outside the Assembly".
Last month, the President had requested that Nkabane provide him with a detailed report on the decorum and substance of her engagement with Parliament. This followed media commentary on her appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on 30 May 2025.
The Minister was seen in a viral video on social media eating while responding to a question from the Chairperson of the Higher Education committee, Tebogo Letsie.
President Ramaphosa said at the time that the request for the report was in view of the President’s expectation that Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior executives in the public sector conduct themselves professionally, transparently and cordially in engaging with Parliament and other accountability institutions.
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