For Nobuhle Nkabane, 2025 will be remembered as a year that spiraled from controversy to political isolation, ending with her removal from cabinet as higher education and training minister.
What began as routine management of a complex portfolio quickly descended into missteps and questions about her leadership in a sector already under intense scrutiny.
The first major controversy arose in May, when Nkabane’s attempt to appoint chairpersons to the boards of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) sparked outrage.
Her selections included multiple figures with strong ANC connections, notably Buyambo Mantashe, the son of senior ANC leader Gwede Mantashe.
Critics accused her of prioritizing political loyalty over competence, undermining the credibility of the bodies tasked with distributing billions of rands in skills development funds.
Opposition lawmakers and civil society watchdogs argued the appointments threatened transparency and fairness.
Nkabane initially defended her actions, claiming an “independent panel” had recommended the appointments.
However, this explanation quickly fell apart. Several people listed as panel members, including departmental officials, denied any involvement.
The situation worsened when Adv. Terry Motau SC, named as chair, publicly stated he had never participated or met panel members. His denial exposed a serious misrepresentation to parliament, forcing her to issue a formal apology.
This admission did little to quell criticism, as many saw it as a symbol of
mismanagement and miscommunication.
Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education, chaired by Tebogo Letsie,
accused Nkabane of misleading MPs and demanded she provide a full account of the panel process.
She compounded tensions when she skipped a crucial committee meeting, choosing instead to attend another event.
Amid mounting pressure, the DA filed criminal charges, alleging she had deliberately misled parliament and misrepresented the panel’s independence. The party threatened to withhold support for her department’s 2025 budget unless accountability measures were taken.
Public perception of her office suffered, with commentators noting that student interests and operational efficiency were being sidelined by political controversy.
In July, President Cyril Ramaphosa cancelled Nkabane’s planned trip to China while she was already at the airport, citing ongoing ethics concerns and the unresolved Seta issues.
The cancellation underscored how her position had become politically untenable and symbolised the erosion of confidence in her leadership.
Ultimately, in July, she was removed from her post, with Deputy Minister Buti Manamela taking over the portfolio.
In a year when accountability and ethical leadership were expected to be paramount, Nkabane’s 2025 will be remembered less for policy achievements and more for controversy, political fallout, and a dramatic fall from grace.
