Latest news with #Nkabane
![[WATCH] Politricking with Tshidi Madia: Helen Zille](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia-cache.primedia-service.com%2Fmedia%2Fd5vd1huv%2Fhelen-zille-politricking2.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26height%3D630&w=3840&q=100)
![[WATCH] Politricking with Tshidi Madia: Helen Zille](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic-mobile-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com%2Feyewn.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
[WATCH] Politricking with Tshidi Madia: Helen Zille
Zille shares her reaction to the firing of Minister Nkabane and weighs in on the unresolved issues with Health Minister Simelane while addressing the party's growing public frustration with ANC-led policy decisions, including the NHI and Expropriation Act. She reflects on John Steenhuisen's leadership and the DA's performance in national and local government. She speaks about the party's ambition to become a majority party. She also delves into succession politics and why Paul Mashatile remains a 'no-go' for the DA. She addresses the controversy around Andrew Whitfield's dismissal, and the DA's strategic positioning on foreign policy—from Washington to Zuma in Morocco. She wraps up the conversation by reflecting on racial identity politics, Liam Jacobs' departure, and the DA's evolving relationship with voters.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
A VIEW OF THE WEEK: Putting brand Nkabane over serving students and SA
The façade of selflessness has slipped to show the narcissism beneath. When Nobuhle Nkabane stood to take an oath as minister in July 2024, she pledged faithfulness to SA, obedience to the constitution, and to put the duty of serving South Africans above all else. That promise lasted less than a year, as the façade of selflessness slipped to show the narcissism beneath. Nkabane has been accused of cronyism, corruption, and straight-up lying to parliament over appointments to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Seta) board, which included ANC members. When her great cover-up started to unravel, with the mentioned officials denying any involvement in the appointments, she seemed to swerve accountability by running from parliament. After nearly two months of pressure, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday booted her from Cabinet. She was supposed to appear before parliament on Tuesday, and concerns about what she might have said, if she did appear, might well have been the reason the president finally took action. Brand before South Africa Ramaphosa's announcement was made without praise, or thanks for Nkabane. Something that must have really stung her. Hours after her dismissal, Nkabane was suddenly available and ready to do an interview with a broadcaster to 'clear' her name. She spoke about her desperation to appear before parliament to tell her side of the story — an institution she was allergic to for several weeks. More concerning was her repeated and obsessive reference to her 'brand'. 'This goes beyond my position in parliament. It is all about my reputation. I worked for my brand, and I must clear my name and my brand,' she said in defiance of calls for her to resign from parliament over the saga. 'What is more important is my reputation. I don't want it tarnished. I am not corrupt. I will never be corrupt,' she said at another point. Nobody likes to be judged, but when you are a public figure who has committed to putting the interests of the country ahead of yourself, that judgment is not only expected, but is compulsory. It is called accountability. ALSO READ: From tiger to a pouncing police cat? Ramaphosa is remixing the 'corrupt' until a new caretaker arrives Schemes and criminals Accountability seems to be in short supply when corrupt schemes come crashing down. One of those schemes began to shake this week when four people were arrested for the murder of musician and businessman Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. Among those arrested was businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe, who was among those mentioned in KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's claims of criminal infiltration within the police. The firearms used in the artist's death were linked to 10 other high-profile cases, suggesting that the web of crime is extensive and often protected. Where it isn't protected, the ball is being dropped by the police at grassroots level. This was seen in the investigating officer in the bail application of Tiffany Meek, accused of murdering her son Jayden-Lee, who was unable to verify addresses for her bail application, and so was not able to gauge whether she is a flight risk. Police are often overworked, under-resourced, or lacking in skills. It is something they share with organisations in several departments, including the one Nkabane once headed. These are the 'brands' and organisations we should be building and protecting, not that of an alleged dodgy former minister. NOW READ: A VIEW OF THE WEEK: Ramaphosa risks losing control of Cabinet
The South African
5 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Malema's three-point comeback plan for fired higher education minister
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema hosted a press conference on Thursday, 24 July, ahead of the party's 12th anniversary. During the briefing, he addressed a range of political issues, including President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent decision to remove Dr Nobuhle Nkabane from her position as Minister of Higher Education and Training. Malema, who has been a prominent figure in politics from a young age, shared some advice for Nkabane in the wake of her dismissal. The Red Berets leader believes that with just three changes, the former minister can make a comeback. 'It's so painful. She's so young, she still has a chance to come back. I've seen people get demoted politically, and then they go rework on themselves, and then they come back,' said Malema. The politician offered some constructive advice. 'The first thing she must do is to stop chewing gum in a meeting. She was still doing it even yesterday, there in parliament. The second thing is she must be humble and know that she doesn't know and be prepared to be guided and be advised by proper people,' said the EFF leader. Finally, Malema said Nkabane must go back to her branch and learn, saying she was not ready to be a minister. In an interview with eNCA , Nkabane said she accepted her removal and viewed it in a positive light. Ramaphosa dismissed Nkabane in terms of Section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. He has since appointed Buti Kgwaridi Manamela as Minister of Higher Education and Training. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Malema warns new Minister Manamela about department challenges and advises Nkabane to be humble
EFF leader Julius Malema says former Higher Education minister Nobuhle Nkabane must be humble and know that she does not know and be prepared to be guided and be advised by proper people. Image: X / EFF EFF leader Julius Malema on Thursday offered free advice to newly-appointed Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela and his sacked predecessor Nobuhle Nkabane. Responding to questions from journalists at a media briefing in Cape Town, Malema said Manamela should never trust the department's director-general (D-G) Nkosinathi Sishi, whom he described as 'the big problem' in the department. 'He is the one who misleads them. He worked with Blade (Nzimande) that D-G. Blade is disgruntled and bitter about his removal from higher education. He will do anything and everything to undermine whoever is in that institution,' he said. 'Buti must find a way to part ways with that D-G and bring a competent, qualified person who is not Blade Nzimande stooge, if he wants to succeed in that department,' he said. Malema gave the advice days after Manamela replaced Nkabane. Nkabane was axed amid the investigation by the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education into the now-cancelled appointment of chairperson for boards of Sector and Education Authorities (SETAs). She withdrew the appointments of chairpersons for the SETA boards following public outrage after the list of the appointments was leaked. The appointments had included ANC-aligned people that included former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson and Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, among others. Nkabane had told the portfolio committee that an 'independent panel' had made recommendations on the appointment of board chairpersons. However, those she named to have served on 'the independent panel' denied involvement in the work of the panel apart from confirming the appointments to be panellists. Malema described Nkabane's sacking as 'so painful', adding that she was young and had the chance to come back. 'I have seen people demoted politically rework themselves and come back. The first thing she must do is stop chewing gum in a meeting,' Malema said. His reference to chewing gum related to a recent portfolio committee meeting where Nkabane was seen chewing something while being interrogated by MPs. 'She must be humble and know that she does not know and be prepared to be guided and be advised by proper people. Only a person who does not know how government works would have advised what she did.' Malema noted with concern that Nkabane had not used 'the second chance' given to her by the portfolio committee to explain the selection and recommendations made by the 'independent panel' on the appointment of SETA board chairpersons. 'She leaves the committee to go to a gender-based violence (event) of a TVET college when TVET colleges are a responsibility of a deputy minister. Someone from the streets is misleading her. She is listening to someone who has no idea what we deal with here (Parliament). There are certain things you don't do in Parliament. She should have known.' Malema also said Nkabane had not been collegial to 'the protection' in the form of her ANC colleague and committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie. 'That was extremely girlish. She was not ready to be a minister. She must go to the branch and learn,' he said. [email protected]
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Nkabane's dismissal shows performance is finally being prioritised
Poor leadership, policy missteps, and stakeholder neglect made Nkabane's position in higher education untenable. Dr Nobuhle Nkabane at the official launch of the National Skills Fund (NSF) Disabilities Programme Phase I at Blind SA. (Photo by Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi) There was little surprise this week when President Cyril Ramaphosa fired higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane as her position became untenable. She misled parliament in a portfolio committee regarding the appointments of the Sector Education and Training Authority board. Her short stint at the helm of one of the most complex and politically sensitive portfolios was also marred by administrative missteps, a breakdown in communication with key stakeholders, and a failure to provide clear, strategic leadership during a critical time for the sector. While Cabinet reshuffles often raise questions about internal party dynamics, this decision appears to have been driven by performance and public outcry, rather than politics. Nkabane inherited a department already under immense strain. South Africa's higher education sector faces a multitude of challenges: from underfunding and student debt to overcrowded institutions and a widening gap between education and employment. ALSO READ: Why the ANC remains a safe haven for corruption Rather than stepping into the role with decisiveness and clarity, Nkabane struggled to manage the operational demands of the department. Her most notable failure was her mishandling of the crisis surrounding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas). The rollout of a new direct payment system, using third-party service providers, led to widespread delays, disbursement errors, and student protests across the country. Despite repeated warnings from student unions and technical experts, the department failed to take corrective action or adequately communicate with affected students. Nkabane's public appearances during this period often came across as defensive, reinforcing perceptions that she was out of depth. Compounding the Nsfas debacle was a broader failure to engage constructively with the very stakeholders she was meant to lead. Student organisations such as the South African Union of Students accused her of ignoring urgent meeting requests during protest actions. ALSO READ: Parliament concludes Seta panel never existed Several university vice-chancellors also reported difficulty engaging with her office on campus safety, infrastructure development and funding allocations. At a time when decisive leadership and open communication were essential, Nkabane remained inaccessible and silent, allowing tensions to escalate on campuses. Perhaps most telling, however, was her inability to articulate a long-term vision for the department. Her public addresses were laced with vague commitments to transformation and inclusion, but these sentiments were rarely backed by concrete policy or institutional reform. No significant advances were made in addressing curriculum reform, expanding digital access, or tackling the mismatch between higher education output and labour market needs. Her leadership simply did not inspire confidence. In contrast, the promotion of Buti Manamela to the ministerial position represents a return to experience and substance. Having served as deputy minister for several years, Manamela has built a solid reputation for being hands-on, accessible and knowledgeable. ALSO READ: Five things you need to know about the new higher education minister Buti Manamela Ramaphosa's decision to remove Nkabane and elevate Manamela should be viewed as more than a political adjustment – it is a statement about the value of competence in public office. For far too long, Cabinet appointments have been seen as rewards for loyalty rather than results. In this instance, the move suggests a growing recognition that performance must take precedence, especially in departments that impact millions of young South Africans and the future of the country's economy. While this shift is welcome, it must not stop here. The education sector requires leadership that is responsive, accountable and visionary. In firing Nkabane and promoting Manamela, Ramaphosa has taken a step towards restoring integrity and functionality in higher education. The hope now is that this signals the beginning of a broader commitment to putting the right people in the right places – for the right reasons. NOW READ: 'Long overdue' – Opposition parties welcome Nkabane's removal
