'I accept the dismissal': Nkabane speaks out after being fired by Ramaphosa
Fired Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane defended her record on the SETA board appointments, stating she was ready with documents to prove her case before being removed from office.
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"All the signs were there."
That’s how former Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane described her reaction to being dismissed from the position by President Cyril Ramaphosa, adding that many people wanted her to be fired from the position.
Nkabane said she received a call from Ramaphosa on Monday informing her of his decision while she was on her way to Cape Town for a portfolio committee meeting on higher education scheduled for Tuesday.
“All signs were there…that there are some forces on the ground that want me out of the system,” she told broadcaster eNCA on Tuesday.
“To be honest, I am not even shocked, and I have just accepted the dismissal because the President, in terms of the Constitutional prerogative, has powers and functions. When you look at Section 91.2, he has the right to appoint and dismiss the deputy president, the ministers, as well as deputy ministers.”
“So, I accept the dismissal by the President and I take it positively, and I feel I have been honoured to have been entrusted with such a huge responsibility to lead the Department of Higher Education and Training, and post-school education and the training system entirely.”
“I think I’m a better version of myself than when I came, and I've learned a lot of things.”
Nkabane was under fire regarding the appointments of the controversial SETA board chairpersons.
The cabinet reshuffle follows growing scrutiny of Nkabane’s role in what MPs have described as a “misleading” explanation to Parliament about the SETA board appointment process.
The appointments included individuals closely linked to the African National Congress (ANC), such as Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, and Dube-Ncube.
On Tuesday, IOL News reported that the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education found no formal panel was involved in appointing SETA board chairpersons, contradicting Nkabane’s earlier claims.
Nkabane previously told Parliament that an “independent panel” chaired by Advocate Terry Motau oversaw the appointments.
Motau, along with others named as panel members, including Nkabane’s chief of staff, Nelisiwe Semane, and adviser Asisipho Solani - denied any involvement. All testified that no formal meeting or discussion regarding the appointments had taken place.
Ramaphosa has since appointed Buti Manamela, one of Nkabane’s deputies, as the new minister of Higher Education and Training. Former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube was named deputy minister.
Nkabane added, “But what is very disturbing, that I think I must as well speak about, is that there is a perception that I lied in Parliament. I was looking forward to this day so that I could clear my name.”
“I prepared nicely, files, appointment letters, and everything to prove to myself that I did not lie in Parliament. I am a professional. I am an academic. There’s no way I can risk my reputation by lying in Parliament.
“I wanted to go to Parliament and clear my name today, having all the evidence that I followed due processes to make sure that systems are in place. But when the dust has settled, I will get an opportunity to clear my name,” Nkabane added.
Meanwhile, Members of Parliament (MPs) said they are considering calling Nkabane, in her capacity as a private member, to explain what led her to appoint ANC-linked members to the controversial SETA boards.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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