Johannesburg, South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially dismissed Nobuhle Nkabane from her role as Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation following weeks of controversy around alleged irregular board appointments and accusations that she lied to Parliament.
The decision, confirmed by the Presidency on Tuesday, comes in the wake of increasing political and public pressure on Nkabane to account for Seta (Sector Education and Training Authority) board appointments that reportedly bypassed established procedures and sparked concerns of cronyism.
Buti Manamela Promoted, Nomusa Dube-Ncube Joins as Deputy
In a swift reshuffle move, Deputy Minister Buti Manamela has been elevated to the post of Minister of Higher Education, replacing Nkabane.
Manamela, a long-serving member of Parliament and former student leader, is seen as a steady hand within the department, having served in the portfolio as deputy since 2014.
Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has been appointed as Deputy Minister, returning to national office after a tenure as KZN’s first female premier.
Seta Scandal and Fallout
Nkabane came under fire earlier this year after Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education raised concerns about the legitimacy and transparency of her Seta board appointments, some of which appeared to include politically connected individuals without proper vetting.
Further controversy erupted when she allegedly misled Parliament during questioning about the appointment processes—an act that could constitute a breach of executive ethics.
Opposition parties and civic organisations had demanded her immediate resignation or removal, accusing her of undermining the integrity of public institutions tasked with upskilling South Africa’s youth.
Ramaphosa Moves to Contain Political Fallout
This move marks a decisive step by Ramaphosa to restore public confidence in the Higher Education Ministry and curb any further damage to the credibility of post-school training institutions.
“This change is aimed at reinforcing accountability and strengthening governance in the public education sector,” a statement from the Presidency read.
The reshuffle also signals the president’s willingness to act swiftly amid heightened scrutiny on Cabinet performance and ethical conduct following recent scandals in other departments.
