President Ramaphosa Reshuffles Higher Education Portfolio Amid Decorum Concerns

In a significant cabinet reshuffle that underscores the importance of professionalism in public office, President Cyril Ramaphosa has relieved Dr Nobuhle Nkabane of her duties as Minister of Higher Education and Training, appointing Buti Manamela—the former Deputy Minister of the department—as her successor. The announcement was made by The Presidency late Monday night, marking a notable change in leadership just as the post-secondary education sector faces increasing scrutiny and transformation demands.

The reshuffle also introduces Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube into the national executive as the new Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, bringing extensive experience from her previous roles in provincial governance, including as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.

A Change in Leadership and Direction

President Ramaphosa’s decision to reassign the leadership of the Department of Higher Education and Training follows weeks of speculation surrounding Dr Nkabane’s conduct in Parliament. On 30 May 2025, the Minister faced a viral backlash after footage emerged showing her eating during a parliamentary session, while responding to questions from the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Tebogo Letsie.

In response, the President requested a formal report from Dr Nkabane, asking her to account for both the decorum and substance of her engagement. While the contents of the report have not been publicly released, Monday’s reshuffle signals the President’s dissatisfaction with the incident and possibly the broader leadership tone it set.

“The President expects Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and public executives to conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism and respect when engaging Parliament and accountability institutions,” The Presidency reiterated in its statement.

The Rise of Buti Manamela

Buti Manamela steps into the ministerial role with deep institutional knowledge, having served as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training since the 6th administration, a position he held with distinction under former Minister Blade Nzimande and more recently, Dr Nkabane.

Known for his work on student financing and skills development, Manamela has been a central figure in coordinating government responses to the NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) challenges and expanding access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

His elevation is widely seen as an effort to stabilize leadership in a department that has faced backlogs in university funding, infrastructure deficits, and strained labour relations with staff and student unions.

Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube Returns to National Politics

Joining Manamela in the department’s top leadership is Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, appointed Deputy Minister in line with Section 93(b) of the Constitution, which allows the President to name up to two Deputy Ministers from outside the National Assembly.

Dr Dube-Ncube boasts a decorated public service career, having held portfolios as MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, and most recently, as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. Her re-entry into national government is expected to bring both gravitas and operational expertise to the ministry.

Challenges Awaiting the New Leadership

The new leadership team inherits a ministry at a pivotal moment. Among the pressing priorities are:

• Fixing the NSFAS crisis, which has seen thousands of students affected by delayed or incorrect disbursements.

• Addressing infrastructure shortfalls in historically disadvantaged institutions and rural campuses.

• Expanding vocational education and workplace placement opportunities amid rising youth unemployment.

• Rebuilding public trust and parliamentary confidence in the leadership of the department.

Additionally, the department will need to coordinate closely with Treasury and the Department of Basic Education to manage the transition of learners into post-secondary pathways, especially in the context of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.

A Message on Accountability

While Dr Nkabane’s removal appears to have been catalyzed by a moment of perceived poor decorum, the broader message from the Presidency is unmistakable: conduct in public office matters.

The reshuffle is not merely about optics but reflects President Ramaphosa’s emphasis on ethical governance, ministerial accountability, and institutional credibility—especially as South Africa prepares for a period of economic renewal and public sector reform.

Observers see this as a timely and necessary realignment, intended to restore professional discipline, efficiency, and transparency in one of the government’s most critical departments.