President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, following allegations of misleading Parliament and orchestrating controversial appointments to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards. The decision, announced on Monday, marks a significant shake-up in the African National Congress (ANC)-led government, with Buti Manamela appointed as Nkabane’s replacement and Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube named deputy minister, according to a statement from the presidency.
Nkabane’s removal stems from a scandal involving the appointment of ANC-aligned individuals, including Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Minister Gwede Mantashe, to lucrative SETA board positions. The appointments, revealed in May 2025 through a leaked list, sparked public and political outrage, prompting Nkabane to withdraw them amid accusations of nepotism and political interference. The Democratic Alliance (DA), a key opposition party, filed criminal charges against Nkabane for fraud and violating the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities of Parliament Act, alleging she lied about the independence of the panel responsible for the selections. The Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, confirmed an ongoing probe into the matter, though it remains in its early stages.
The controversy deepened when Nkabane claimed an independent panel, purportedly led by Advocate Terry Motau, advised on the appointments. Motau and other alleged panel members, including ministry officials Nelisiwe Semane, Rhulani Ngwenya, and Mabuza Ngubane, denied involvement, contradicting Nkabane’s statements. “Ngwenya, Ngubane & Semane have written to Parliament & joined Adv Terry Motau in denying their participation in Nkabane’s Panel. So 4/6 ‘panelists’ say Nkabane lied,” tweeted DA MP Karabo Khakhau on July 8, 2025.
Nkabane’s conduct in Parliament further fueled criticism. On May 30, she was filmed chewing gum during a portfolio committee meeting and appeared dismissive, referring MPs to “Google” when pressed on the credibility of appointees. She later defended herself on X, stating, “Claims that I was rude or disrespectful are false and based on misleading clips taken out of context.” Her absence from a critical July 18 meeting to address the SETA issue, opting instead to attend a gender-based violence event in the Eastern Cape, drew sharp rebuke.
Opposition parties, including the DA, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and South African Students Congress (SASCO), accused Nkabane of incompetence, citing persistent issues with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), such as delayed allowances and student housing crises. The DA’s Khakhau called her actions “a spit in the face of the country,” emphasizing the need for accountability. Nkabane, in turn, accused critics of racism and misogyny during a July budget debate, a claim met with skepticism by opponents who noted many critics were women or Black.
Nkabane, a long-time ANC member and National Executive Committee figure, rose from local government roles to deputy minister of Mineral Resources and Energy before her 2024 appointment as higher education minister. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Public Administration from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Despite her qualifications, her tenure was marred by governance failures, leaving Manamela to address the sector’s challenges.
The Hawks’ investigation continues, with no timeline for completion. Political analysts see Nkabane’s sacking as a test for Ramaphosa’s commitment to tackling corruption within the ANC-led Government of National Unity.