Former Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has been appointed as the ANC deputy chief whip in parliament.
Image: File/Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
Former Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Whip of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus.
Nkabane, who was removed from her ministerial position in July 2025, will now serve alongside ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli.
Nkabane's removal as Minister of Higher Education followed controversy surrounding the appointment of chairpersons to the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards, with opposition parties accusing her of misleading Parliament about the selection process.
These appointments, including individuals linked to prominent ANC figures, raised concerns about political interference and nepotism.
The appointments included individuals closely tied to the African National Congress (ANC), such as Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, and Dube-Ncube.
The controversy intensified when Nkabane testified before Parliament, claiming that an “independent” panel had overseen the appointment process.
However, members of the panel, including Advocate Terry Motau, Nkabane’s chief of staff Nelisiwe Semane, and adviser Asisipho Solani, denied any involvement, prompting accusations of dishonesty.
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education later found that no formal panel had been involved in the appointment process, contradicting Nkabane’s earlier statements.
Despite the controversy, Nkabane maintained that the appointments were lawful. However, her failure to appear before Parliament for a follow-up meeting on the matter only added fuel to the fire.
She had sent an apology citing a gender-based violence event in the Eastern Cape as the reason for her absence, which was rejected by the committee's chairperson, Tebogo Letsie.
Following her dismissal as minister, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher Education, with Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube named as deputy minister.
Despite the backlash, Nkabane’s new appointment to the role of Deputy Chief Whip signals the ANC's confidence in her leadership, as she continues her political career.
The ANC congratulated Nkabane on her appointment, noting her academic achievements and extensive political experience.
Nkabane holds a Ph.D. from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a Master’s from the University of London, and is currently pursuing further studies at Wits Business School.
She joined Parliament in 2019 and has since held various positions within the ANC.
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