How arrogance can lead to a politician's downfall

“Politicians are like monkeys in that ‘the higher they climb, the more revolting are the parts they expose’.” — Gwilym Lloyd George, Ist Viscount Tenby

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A disturbing display of arrogance

Tebogo Letsi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education: “Question: In your own view, Minister, what makes a person credible?”

Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, Minister of Higher Education and Training: “What makes a person credible chair is exactly how it is defined when you goggle... eh... encyclopedia. You will see what it means, exactly that.”

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee: “You are not going to answer us, Minister.”

Minister (unashamedly chewing food in her mouth and disdainfully looking to another direction): “I have responded, chairperson.”

“It is an old tale, as old as the conduct of human affairs, which was summed up pretty definitively by Lord Acton well over a century ago: power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

On arrogance, the French proverb states: “None are more haughty than a commonplace person raised to power.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon similarly noted: “None are more unjust in their judgements of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves.”

The recent shocking display of unadulterated arrogance by the Minister of Higher Education and Training was deeply concerning. Her despicable, shameless, and discourteous conduct — exemplified by chewing food while responding to critical questions during a live televised parliamentary session — reflects her ignorance of how a public figure should carry herself.