After Ramaphosa's rebuke over her conduct in Parly, Nkabane promises to lead with humility
CAPE TOWN - Having reflected on her recent conduct in Parliament, Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane said that she could have handled the situation differently.
Following a week of public backlash, the president has ordered her to explain her behaviour to him.
On Thursday night, Nkabane accepted the rebuke in a statement she issued, saying that she intended to lead with humility.
A minister for less than a year, Nkabane has landed herself in hot water over the manner in which she engaged with MPs of the higher education portfolio committee last week, when she appeared dismissive towards them during questioning about sector education training authorities (SETAs).
Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said that no deadline had been set for Nkabane to explain herself to the president.
But he said that comfort should be taken in the fact that what transpired during Nkabane's appearance in Parliament had not escaped the president's attention.
"It's often better to leave that between the president and the minister concerned, otherwise you are running the risk of the president managing issues with members of his national executive in the public domain, which is not ideal and will not be prudent. We should allow the minister a little bit of room to address the matter with the minister."
Following that announcement, Nkabane said she had noted the concerns about her conduct but it had not been her intention to evade accountability nor the decorum of Parliament.
"I intend to inculcate and maintain a constructive, respectful and professional working relationship with all Members of Parliament. I remain committed to the principles of accountability, good governance, and cooperative governance as outlined in our Constitution and parliamentary protocols," Nkabane said in a statement.
Nkabane added that she was committed to strengthening the relationship between the ministry, the department and the portfolio commitee.
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