President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher Education after kicking Nobuhle Nkabane to the curb.
Nkabane’s dismissal comes in the midst of some immense controversy, as she faces allegations of corruption over the appointment of 21 Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board chairpersons.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Dr Nobuhle Nkabane from the role of Minister of Higher Education and Training and has, in terms of Section 91 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, appointed Mr Buti Kgwaridi Manamela, Minister of Higher Education and Training. Mr Manamela was, until this appointment, serving as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, a role he held from the 6th administration,” reads a statement made by the presidency.
According to some members of the public, the president’s decision to axe Nkabane does not come as a surprise. It has also been welcomed by some opposition parties including Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Apart from the allegations of corruption, Nkabane had also garnered some backlash for allegedly misleading parliament when she stated that an independent panel chaired by Advocate Terry Motau oversaw the SETA appoints. When Advocate Motau denied these claims and the public disapproved of her behaviour, calls for her sacking began to grow louder.
It appears that her removal from the ministry is not enough for some political parties and members of the public, as they believe she still needs to account for lying in parliament.
DA MP Karabo Khakhau insists Parliament must still hold former Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane accountable for her alleged misconduct, stressing her removal doesn’t end calls for justice.
She urges Parliament not to back down on its power to seek the truth and… pic.twitter.com/FwsYkgbaUi
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) July 22, 2025
Furthermore, some citizens have applauded President Cyril for taking this decision. However, others expressed that the same needs to happen to Senzo Mchunu, who has similarly found himself in the midst of some serious allegations and has currently been placed on leave of absence.
If Cyril Ramaphosa can fire Nobuhle Nkabane, then he is able to fire Senzo Mchunu.
We don’t want that criminal force Firoz Cachalia in that position!#ProtectGeneralMkhwanazi
— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) July 21, 2025
We call on President Ramaphosa to show the same courage he showed on firing Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.
Arrest and fire Mchunu Now pic.twitter.com/OfgBBTTlzT
— Prof Moya (@MoyaProf) July 22, 2025
Well done with this one. Now do the right thing @CyrilRamaphosa fire Senzo Mchunu because he equally lied to parliament as a minister and a senior member of your party. What you do to women must be done to men too. Waiting with bated breath because abafazi be ANC shame abadumanga… https://t.co/14I6YsIKsr
— Zovuyo Veronica Mente (@veronica_mente) July 21, 2025
