The ANC Study Group on Higher Education statement applauding Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s decision to reopen nominations for the positions of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) chairpersons despite the controversy around the whole saga is a textbook example of how politicians find it easy to “lie with the sheep and hunt with wolves”.
In the statement, the group said the minister’s actions “reflect political maturity and a commitment to restoring public trust”.
It went further to welcome Nkabane’s decision to reveal the names of the “independent” panel overseeing the selection process.
Withdrawals not voluntary
First, unlike what the study group suggests, the minister did not voluntarily withdraw the appointments.
“Thereby showing political maturity and a commitment to restoring public trust” – she did so following a public outcry about alleged political interference.
This was after her controversial appointments of ANC-linked figures as chairs of SETAs.
These included Buyambo Mantashe (son of Minister Gwede Mantashe) and other ANC allies, exposing blatant nepotism.
In fact, if anything, the minister’s behaviour during her appearance before the portfolio committee on higher education – which happened after the withdrawal of the appointments – exposed her political immaturity, unwillingness to be held accountable and the disdain she has for the public representatives, whose duties are to ensure that she is accountable to the South African public.
Not welcoming accountability
What exposes the group’s folly is her behaviour towards the MPs who wanted to hold her accountable. The minister has also shown her disrespect to even members of her own political party. Thus exposing how as part of the ANC leadership she sees herself as being above all South Africans.
Congratulating the minister for eventually releasing the names of the “independent” panel – which included officials from her own department, the study group exposes their commitment to supporting ANC leaders over their accountability as public representatives.
By coming out in support of the minister, the study group has chosen “to lie with the wolves”. The same ones who, (as Nkabane has recently revealed) view any attempt to hold them accountable as “unwarranted or unwanted public vitriol”.
And the same group’s members are ANC MPs expected to hold members of the executive like Nkabane accountable. This is showing a dismissive attitude towards legitimate public concerns and criticism regarding transparency and accountability.
Even more concerning is the fact that the study group’s message is contrary to parliament’s stern and decisive response to Nkabane’s unprofessional, petulant and self-serving behaviour.
Committee wants action
As it is, members of the higher education portfolio committee want further action taken against Nkabane for misleading them in the SETA board selection process.
In another move to further hold the minister accountable, the DA has referred her to the ethics committee for lying to Parliament. This is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or both.
The party said Nkabane misled the portfolio committee. This by stating that all members of the SETA board chairperson selection and evaluation panel were independent.
But DA committee member Karabo Khakhau said the five-member panel had people who were former provincial ANC Youth League leaders, as well as a current advisor to the minister, Nelisiwe Semane, who is a chief of staff in Nkabane’s office.
Unfortunately the timing and the content of the statement do nothing to show the study group’s commitment “to strong oversight and good governance in the management of public institutions”. If anything, it fails to disprove the perception that the study group members’ and Nkabane’s behaviour exemplifies what has been described as the entrenched culture of patronage within the ANC. This is where loyalty supersedes competence, accountability and democratic norms.”
Broader ANC culture
According to the said perception, Nkabane’s behaviour reflects a broader ANC culture. Where members of the executive view parliament as an inconvenience rather than a constitutional check on power.
To that extent, her actions also reveal her as part of a tendency whereby – when parliament was where heroes like Mandela fought for accountability – ANC ministers now treat the institution with contempt. A tendency which the ANC study group seemingly endorses.
