The African National Congress has appointed former Higher Education minister Nobuhle Nkabane as the new Deputy Chief Whip of the National Assembly of South Africa, a move that has quickly sparked debate in political circles.
Nkabane previously served as Minister of Higher Education from July 2024 until her dismissal in July 2025 by Cyril Ramaphosa following a series of controversies linked to appointments to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) boards.
Her removal came after criticism over the appointment of several individuals allegedly aligned with the ANC, raising concerns about political interference and nepotism in the selection process. The controversy deepened when Nkabane failed to appear before Parliament to explain the appointments, opting instead to attend a gender-based violence event.
During earlier engagements with MPs, Nkabane also claimed the appointments had been made by an independent panel. However, some individuals she cited later denied being part of the process, prompting accusations that she had misled Parliament.
Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance, subsequently called for her removal, increasing pressure on Ramaphosa to act. The Presidency later emphasised that ministers are expected to act professionally and remain accountable to Parliament.
Despite the controversy that led to her dismissal, the ANC’s decision to elevate Nkabane to a senior parliamentary role signals the party’s continued confidence in her leadership within its caucus.
No tags for this post.
