Minister Nkabane Rejects Committee Demands, Skips Parliament for Eastern Cape Event

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Minister Nkabane

The Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, chose not to attend a key parliamentary meeting today where she was expected to explain administrative issues linked to her disputed selection of SETA chairpersons, opting instead to deliver a keynote address at an event in the Eastern Cape.

Minister’s Absence Sparks Fresh Criticism

Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane skipped Parliament today by failing to attend a meeting in which she was supposed to account for the administrative mess relating to her controversial appointment of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) chairpersons. Instead, she opted to deliver a keynote address at the Annual National Student Leadership Induction Programme in Buffalo City. The event, hosted by the South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training Student Association (SATVETSA), focuses on leadership development and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) in the post-school education and training sector. It is set to start at 08h00 on Friday, 18 July 2025, at Buffalo City TVET College, with Dr Nobuhle Nkabane as the main speaker.
Representing the ministry at the parliamentary session were Nkabane’s deputies, Buti Manamela and Mimmy Gondwe. The higher education portfolio committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie, confirmed that Nkabane had sent a letter of apology for her absence. However, Letsie wrote back to Nkabane, stating: “The apology for the meeting of 18 July is not accepted owing to the seriousness of the matter. The committee has also requested the date for the meeting in order not to clash with Cabinet meetings.” He urged Nkabane to reconsider her decisions, but she refused and suggested the meeting could take place next week instead.
This decision has drawn sharp backlash, with critics viewing it as a direct challenge to parliamentary oversight. In May, Nkabane withdrew the appointments after an outcry that the appointees were ANC-aligned, including two senior African National Congress members and the son of Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, Buyambo Mantashe. The withdrawals came amid concerns about possible political interference and nepotism in the skills development sector, which manages billions in public funds for training and education programmes across South Africa.

DA Accuses Minister of Defiance and Cover-Up

Democratic Alliance (DA) National Spokesperson on Higher Education, Karabo Khakhau MP, described the minister’s actions in strong terms. “In a dumbfounding final act of defiance, ANC Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has indicated her intention to bunk a crucial parliamentary committee meeting later today, about her SETA cadre deployment scheme,” Khakhau said. She highlighted that the minister, her ministry, and an “independent panel” were due before Parliament at 09:00 AM to explain the panel’s existence and role. However, Nkabane issued a media alert about her Eastern Cape trip, and the latest committee agenda no longer lists her appearance or that of her chief of staff and advisor.
Khakhau pointed out that the chief of staff, a key member of Nkabane’s political inner-circle, had previously declared in writing to Parliament that she did not form part of the “independent panel” as Nkabane claimed, creating a glaring contradiction. “This is sheer defiance of parliament by an ANC Minister who has been caught out for brazen cadre deployment, then for lying to parliament to cover it up, and now the subject of a HAWKS investigation,” Khakhau added. She criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa for taking zero action against ANC ministers involved in corruption, lying, fraud, and criminality, allowing Nkabane to proceed with impunity. “The ANC culture of harboring and protecting criminality is evidenced day after day. Minister Nkabane cannot run or hide from Parliament or from the law. While she may enjoy ANC protection, the DA will not allow her to be protected from the full consequences of the law,” Khakhau concluded.
The DA has taken further steps, referring Nkabane to Parliament’s Ethics Committee for misleading the portfolio committee by claiming all members of the SETA Board Chairpersons Selection and Evaluation Panel were independent. The party also laid criminal charges against her for fraud and statutory offences, alleging she violated laws by appointing ANC-linked individuals through a non-transparent process. These actions follow revelations that the panel included politically connected figures, such as former South African Students Congress leader Asisipho Solani, who serves as an advisor to Nkabane, and Chief Director for SETA Coordination Mabuza Ngubane.

Ongoing Investigations and Denials Deepen the Scandal

The controversy has deepened with denials from supposed panel members. Advocate Terry Motau, named as chairperson, denied any involvement and stated he never attended meetings, leading to an apology from Nkabane for the “blunder.” Chief of Staff Nelisiwe Semane and Deputy Director-General Rhulani Ngwenya also distanced themselves, confirming no role in the selections. Questions remain about who truly chaired the panel and whether it existed in the form Nkabane described.
The Hawks are investigating Nkabane for fraud and misleading Parliament, stemming from her refusal to name panel members during an inquiry and claims that the appointments were above board. Opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have accused her of secrecy and cronyism, with EFF MP Sihle Lonzi questioning if appointments favoured personal connections. Civil society organisations have joined calls for transparency in the SETA sector, which is vital for skills development and handles an estimated R17 billion in funds annually.
President Ramaphosa requested a detailed report from Nkabane last month explaining her conduct and the appointment process. The Presidency has not commented on the report’s contents or any potential action. Recently, Ramaphosa cancelled Nkabane’s planned trip to China amid these probes, even as she was at the airport, signalling internal pressure. Her department’s budget was rejected by opposition parties like the DA, EFF, and MK party during debates, with critics accusing her of obstructing transformation in post-school education.

Nkabane Dismisses Speculation on Her Future

Yesterday, Minister Nobuhle Nkabane said she is unaware of any disciplinary action being considered against her by President Cyril Ramaphosa, despite growing pressure over allegations that she misled Parliament. Speaking on the sidelines of a government march against gender-based violence in Bhisho, Nkabane dismissed speculation circulating on social media that her removal from office was imminent.
“Unfortunately, I only hear about these measures that have been taken against me on social media. There is nothing of that nature. I go to Luthuli House from time to time as a diplomat of the African National Congress, and yesterday I was in the cabinet with the president. There is no discussion of this nature. However, maybe it is still coming because some people can speculate and see things before they happen. But at this point, I cannot comment because I don’t know anything of that nature,” she said.
Nkabane has maintained that the appointments were proper and rejected calls for her resignation. However, her critics argue she is undermining accountability in a sector crucial for addressing South Africa’s skills shortages and youth unemployment.

Who is Minister Nobuhle Nkabane?

Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, born on 1 August 1979, has a strong academic background that shaped her rise in public service. She earned a national diploma in commercial administration from Durban University of Technology in 2001, followed by a diploma in youth development from the University of South Africa in 2009. She holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities from Unisa (2011), and from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a Bachelor of Administration Honours (cum laude, 2015), a Master of Administration (2016), and a PhD in Public Administration (2019). Additional qualifications include compliance management from the University of Cape Town, executive development from Stellenbosch Business School, and a post-graduate diploma in labour law from the University of the Western Cape.
Her career began in local government, working as a youth coordinator at Sisonke District Municipality and later as director of water governance at Harry Gwala District Municipality. Elected to Parliament in 2019 as an ANC MP, she served as Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy from 2021 to 2024 before her current role. Nkabane has been active in ANC structures, serving in youth and women’s leagues, and was elected to the National Executive Committee in 2022.
Despite her credentials, Nkabane’s tenure has been marred by persistent issues in higher education, including delays in student allowances from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), poor accommodation, and protests at universities and TVET colleges. Reports highlight squalid living conditions, overcrowding, and unpaid landlords, with incidents like University of Cape Town students living in offices and hunger strikes at Wits University.

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