By REGINALD KANYANE
22 July 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) said it welcomes the appointment of Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher Education and Training and Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. The cabinet reshuffle was announced by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu said Manamela has served as the Deputy Minister in the same department since the 6th Administration and is a seasoned leader with strong ties to the youth and student movement. Bhengu said his experience positions him well to lead the transformation agenda in this sector.
“Manamela’s appointment comes at a critical time and is well aligned with the urgent task of consolidating transformation, restoring governance integrity, and revitalising skills development across the sector.
“Drawing from his long standing experience and oversight role in the sector, including the Sector Education and Training Authorities, Manamela is well positioned to advance the movement’s vision of a responsive, inclusive, and future-ready post-school education and training system,” she said.
Bhengu further said Dube-Ncube, a former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and an experienced public servant, brings valuable governance expertise. She added that her appointment under Section 93(b) of the Constitution enhances executive capacity and reflects confidence in her proven leadership.
“The ANC is confident that this new leadership team will advance access, equity and quality in the higher education sector. We extend our gratitude to the former Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane for her service and wish her well in her future endeavours.
“These appointments reaffirm our commitment to a capable, ethical, and developmental state,” said Bhengu.
Forum for South Africa (FOSA) said it welcomed the appointment of Manamela as the Minister of Higher Education and Training.
FOSA national leader, Tebogo Mashilompane said: “It is our observation and believe that Manamela understands the complexity of the department unlike Nkabane. Nkabane was a very arrogant Minister simply because she did not understand the sophisticated department.
“As a result, she was more defensive than proactive. And her attitude did not help the department to progress. Having stated that, it is our plea to the Minister to not allow him to be swallowed by the cabinet and as a result fail to deliver as he used to as the Deputy Minister.”
Mashilompane said they want to bring to the attention of the Minister the fact that there are serious challenges in the CETC – Community Education and Training Colleges. He said there is an existing element of corruption and they will be addressing the Minister on such issues.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the removal of Nkabane was long overdue. Ndhlela said they strongly believe that the decision to remove Nkabane was necessary.
“The former Minister’s failure to account for the irregular and unlawful allocation of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board positions raised serious questions about the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU)’s governance, their lack of transparency and the severe political interference that has become quite characteristic of the former liberation movement.
“It was evident that the appointments disproportionately favoured individuals with strong ties to the ANC. A pattern that cannot be ignored in a constitutional democracy such as South Africa,” he said.
Ndhlela said they were deeply concerned by Nkabane’s persistent and blatant refusal to attend critical Portfolio Committee meetings and her unwillingness to provide clear answers to repeated inquiries regarding the criteria and processes used in the appointment of the SETA oversight panel. He said such conduct is unacceptable from any public office bearer, let alone one entrusted with the future of our education and skills development institutions.
Meanwhile, the South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) President, Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said they welcome the appointment of Manamela and Dube-Ncube and wished them well in their new responsibilities. Shole said the appointments will assist to stabilise and bring the necessary energy to consolidate and deepen transformation within the higher education and training sector.
“We wish to congratulate Manamela who has shown commitment as well as consistency and earned the respect of the various stakeholders within the higher education and training sector ranging from student formations including the academic.
“Manamela and Dube-Ncube have the necessary governance and leadership experience to build on the milestones of the sector and resolve current challenges including the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) Boards debacle that has been in the public domain,” he said.
The Guardian 