SASCO demands immediate removal of Higher Education Minister, Nobuhle Nkabane

News24

02-07-2025

Funding for higher education remains a significant crisis in South Africa, impacting countless students. As they grapple with securing financial support for their studies, the last thing they need is for those in positions of authority to worsen their challenges.
The South African Students' Congress (SASCO) is the third organisation to call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to axe Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, following similar demands from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
SASCO is accusing the Minister of incompetence and alleged corruption that threatens to extinguish the last hope for many students seeking financial aid.
Read more | Former Transnet executives granted R50 000 bail each for fraud and corruption
The organisation's concerns are centred around the Minister's alleged inability to effectively manage the department, resulting in failures, delays in student funding, and a general lack of accountability.
One of the many key issues highlighted by SASCO is the alleged illegal appointment of chairpersons to 21 Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards, some of which included ANC politicians.
The organisation claims that these appointments have contributed significantly to the challenges faced by students, including delays in funding and a lack of transparency in the allocation of resources.
SASCO has also expressed deep concern over the systematic exclusion of students from accessing higher education, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The organisation argues that Minister Nkabane's policies and actions have perpetuated a two-tier education system, where only a select few have access to quality education, while the majority are left behind.
In light of these concerns, SASCO is calling for Minister Nkabane's immediate removal even though no replacement has been yet found as they believe that removing her is necessary to restore stability and functionality to the Higher Education Sector. .Talking to eNCA on Sunday June 29, 2025, at the ANC's Luthuli House headquarters, SASCO President Alungile Kamtshe threatened to mobilise students and take them to the streets to put pressure if the Minister isn't removed immediately by this week
'We're going to start and consolidate students, remember that students are on recess currently after mid-year exams so once they get back on campus, we're going to do students mass meetings so that we mobilise them,' he stressed.
'This Minister has undermined public intelligence, literally, it's only her who's clever and everyone else is stupid, and through observation by South Africans it is clear that this Minister is not fit for office,' he added.
In response to SASCO, Minister Nkabane briefed the media on Monday, June 30, 2025, pertaining Thursday's budget vote and maintained that she's not 'shaken' by the calls.
'There's nothing that I can say because it is the prerogative of the President to appoint, re-deploy or deploy, so I cannot say anything,' she stated.
The DA has pledged to vote against the Department of Higher Education's budget until Ministers facing allegations of poor governance or corruption are held accountable.
The story is still under development.