The right people for the job

There was little surprise this week when President Cyril Ramaphosa fired higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane as her position became untenable.

- Mandla Mthembu

She misled parliament in a portfolio committee regarding the appointments of the Sector Education and Training Authority board.

Her short stint at the helm of one of the most complex and politically sensitive portfolios was also marred by administrative missteps, a breakdown in communication with key stakeholders, and a failure to provide clear, strategic leadership during a critical time for the sector.

While Cabinet reshuffles often raise questions about internal party dynamics, this decision appears to have been driven by performance and public outcry, rather than politics.

Nkabane inherited a department already under immense strain. South Africa's higher education sector faces a multitude of challenges: from underfunding and student debt to overcrowded institutions and a widening gap between education and employment.

Rather than stepping into the role with decisiveness and clarity, Nkabane struggled to manage the operational demands of the department.

Her most notable failure was her mishandling of the crisis surrounding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas).