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The Citizen
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Nkabane's dismissal shows performance is finally being prioritised
Poor leadership, policy missteps, and stakeholder neglect made Nkabane's position in higher education untenable. Dr Nobuhle Nkabane at the official launch of the National Skills Fund (NSF) Disabilities Programme Phase I at Blind SA. (Photo by Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi) There was little surprise this week when President Cyril Ramaphosa fired higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane as her position became untenable. She misled parliament in a portfolio committee regarding the appointments of the Sector Education and Training Authority board. Her short stint at the helm of one of the most complex and politically sensitive portfolios was also marred by administrative missteps, a breakdown in communication with key stakeholders, and a failure to provide clear, strategic leadership during a critical time for the sector. While Cabinet reshuffles often raise questions about internal party dynamics, this decision appears to have been driven by performance and public outcry, rather than politics. Nkabane inherited a department already under immense strain. South Africa's higher education sector faces a multitude of challenges: from underfunding and student debt to overcrowded institutions and a widening gap between education and employment. ALSO READ: Why the ANC remains a safe haven for corruption Rather than stepping into the role with decisiveness and clarity, Nkabane struggled to manage the operational demands of the department. Her most notable failure was her mishandling of the crisis surrounding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas). The rollout of a new direct payment system, using third-party service providers, led to widespread delays, disbursement errors, and student protests across the country. Despite repeated warnings from student unions and technical experts, the department failed to take corrective action or adequately communicate with affected students. Nkabane's public appearances during this period often came across as defensive, reinforcing perceptions that she was out of depth. Compounding the Nsfas debacle was a broader failure to engage constructively with the very stakeholders she was meant to lead. Student organisations such as the South African Union of Students accused her of ignoring urgent meeting requests during protest actions. ALSO READ: Parliament concludes Seta panel never existed Several university vice-chancellors also reported difficulty engaging with her office on campus safety, infrastructure development and funding allocations. At a time when decisive leadership and open communication were essential, Nkabane remained inaccessible and silent, allowing tensions to escalate on campuses. Perhaps most telling, however, was her inability to articulate a long-term vision for the department. Her public addresses were laced with vague commitments to transformation and inclusion, but these sentiments were rarely backed by concrete policy or institutional reform. No significant advances were made in addressing curriculum reform, expanding digital access, or tackling the mismatch between higher education output and labour market needs. Her leadership simply did not inspire confidence. In contrast, the promotion of Buti Manamela to the ministerial position represents a return to experience and substance. Having served as deputy minister for several years, Manamela has built a solid reputation for being hands-on, accessible and knowledgeable. ALSO READ: Five things you need to know about the new higher education minister Buti Manamela Ramaphosa's decision to remove Nkabane and elevate Manamela should be viewed as more than a political adjustment – it is a statement about the value of competence in public office. For far too long, Cabinet appointments have been seen as rewards for loyalty rather than results. In this instance, the move suggests a growing recognition that performance must take precedence, especially in departments that impact millions of young South Africans and the future of the country's economy. While this shift is welcome, it must not stop here. The education sector requires leadership that is responsive, accountable and visionary. In firing Nkabane and promoting Manamela, Ramaphosa has taken a step towards restoring integrity and functionality in higher education. The hope now is that this signals the beginning of a broader commitment to putting the right people in the right places – for the right reasons. NOW READ: 'Long overdue' – Opposition parties welcome Nkabane's removal
News24
8 hours ago
- General
- News24
Future Boks unleashed: Pead, Hlekani and Jooste to redefine Rassie's succession plans?
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The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
National Assembly approves Appropriation Bill
The Appropriation Bill goes through three main stages in the National Assembly. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the State of the Nation Address (Sona) at Cape Town City Hall on 6 February 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Jeffrey Abrahams The National Assembly has accepted the Appropriation Bill on the first reading, moving a step closer toward concluding a tumultuous budget process – although it is not yet fully resolved. MPs convened at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Wednesday to debate and vote on the Appropriation Bill. This bill, which allocates funding to national government departments and outlines how it will be divided among institutions for the financial year, is the final major legislative step before the R1.2 trillion national budget can be finalised. Stages of Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly The Appropriation Bill goes through three main stages in the National Assembly. In the first reading, MPs debate whether they agree with the overall principles of the bill. If the National Assembly rejects it at this point, the bill is dismissed entirely and does not advance. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa defends budget as critical to government oversight The second stage involves voting on the budgets allocated to each government department and its respective entities. Lastly, if all departmental votes are approved, Parliament then considers the full schedule, which outlines the complete breakdown of funding allocations. Once this schedule is adopted, the bill moves to the second reading – the final vote needed for the National Assembly to formally pass it. Debate on Appropriation Bill Before the first reading debate could begin on Wednesday, the National Assembly adopted the Standing Committee on Appropriations' report on the bill. Kicking off the debate, Mmusi Maimane, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, called on the executive and the government of national unity (GNU) to establish clear priorities and reach consensus on the spending plan early. The Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader emphasised that doing so would help avoid the disruptions seen in this year's budget process and ensure a smoother cycle going forward. 'We need to be clear about when we do spending reviews. In this medium term, we must be far more efficient in how we deal with the money that has been allocated to us,' Maimane said. READ MORE: Treasury allocates R750m to offset Pepfar funding withdrawal as Motsoaledi tables health budget Closing the debate, Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo stressed to MPs that passing the bill would authorise government to use the allocated funds to provide public services. 'This R1.2 trillion is not just a number; it represents school meals, hospital beds, social grants and infrastructure projects that will directly impact the lives of many South Africans,' he said. He warned that failure to pass the bill could prevent government from accessing funds by October, thereby stalling new projects and service delivery. After the debate, a manual voting process was held on the first reading. A total of 262 MPs supported the Appropriations Bill, while 90 opposed it. No abstentions were recorded. Watch the plenary session below: Departmental budget votes MPs are also voting on Wednesday on the budgets for each department. At least 201 MPs must be present, with a majority vote for approval. All 42 departmental votes must be approved for the Appropriation Bill to pass. The process remains on shaky ground, especially with the DA previously pledging not to support the Department of Human Settlements' allocation, due to Minister Thembi Simelane's alleged involvement in the VBS scandal. READ MORE: 'Police are the chief criminal syndicate': Saps R120bn budget criticised by MPs The party has called for her dismissal by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Whether the DA, which holds 87 seats, will maintain that stance on Simelane is unclear. The party's support for the overall bill on Wednesday followed the recent dismissal of former Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. The departmental votes continue at the CTICC. What happens if Appropriation Bill is not passed? If the National Assembly fails to pass the Appropriation Bill, it must be returned to the Standing Committee on Appropriations for reconsideration. This would have significant consequences. Under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), departments are only allowed to spend up to 45% of the previous year's allocation during the first four months of the new financial year – ending in July. READ MORE: Parliament allocates R71m for medical aid for former MPs After that, they may spend only 10% per month. However, without a new budget, no new programmes or adjustments to existing allocations can proceed, potentially delaying funding for public services. Next steps if passed If passed by the National Assembly, the Appropriation Bill proceeds to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for concurrence. The NCOP must adopt the bill by 31 July in accordance with the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, which requires Parliament to pass, amend, or reject the legislation within four months of the start of the financial year. Once approved by the NCOP, the budget process is formally concluded, and the implementation of the national budget can begin. Post-approval oversight Once the bill is fully enacted, government departments will begin receiving funds and executing spending plans. Parliamentary oversight will continue during implementation. The Auditor-General will audit expenditure and report findings to Parliament. Parliament is empowered to take corrective action should mismanagement or underspending be detected. NOW READ: DFFE to stretch R9bn budget amid fiscal constraints, minister warns
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ackermann: All Bulls players will be heard, but they must earn their spots
Johan Ackermann says his first priority has been to get a grip of every Bulls player's strengths so they can establish the team's style, expectations and values. Johan Ackermann says every Bulls player will be heard under him. Picture: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says every player, young and old, will have a voice under him. However, he will also not show favouritism to any player if they are not performing well or fitting in with the team values and culture. Speaking to the media during his first press conference as coach of the Pretoria union, at Loftus on Wednesday, former Lions boss Ackermann said he was a 'big believer' in hearing every player's opinion and working together to create a working team culture. Ackermann's appointment follows the departure of Jake White. Though he was contracted until 2027, White and the Bulls mutually agreed to part ways after the head coach allegedly fell out of favour with several players and coaches. It happened after the Bulls lost their third United Rugby Championship final, and White said he simply could not win the tournament with the squad he had. Ackermann to work with Bulls Ackermann said the first thing on his agenda would be to get to know his players and their strengths, so they could collectively establish their playing style, expectations and values. 'If we all agree on that – the style we want to play, the philosophy we want to [have], the kind of team we want to present out there, then we can build on that,' Ackermann said. The Bulls coach said every squad has its mix of young players, middle-ground players and senior players. He felt they all deserved a voice, otherwise players would feel left out and become unhappy. Ackermann said he had already discussed this with the group this week. But speaking with captain Ruan Nortjé and other senior players would have to wait until they returned from national duty. Ackermann takes charge of a burgeoning squad The Bulls have reached three URC finals in the last four years, while next season they will employ some strong new signings. These include Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard, former Springbok centre Jan Serfontein, and locks Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Marvin Orie. Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet joins the ranks too, while Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse returns from his sabbatical in Japan. 'Is there quality in the squad? Yes. The big thing is how they will fit into the plan,' Ackermann said. 'Sometimes a player excels because of certain reasons in a team and in a performance. You want everybody to be highly competitive, fighting for positions. But the reality is when it comes to selection there are certain things you look at in a player, and you have to make those tough calls.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Striker: Exit the master jockey
Peerless Piere Strydom has finally called it a day. Trainer and old friend Sean Tarry sums it up well: 'If you want to learn how to ride racehorses, just watch Piere Strydom.' Racing fans in Gqeberha nicknamed Strydom 'Striker' early in his career – when he was starting out as a jockey in his hometown in the 1980s – because of his uncommon ability to precisely judge the pace of a race and fly up from behind to win by a whisker. His father Hekkie, a former jockey and trainer in the Windy City, lectured him from an early age about a race not being won at the 200m pole but rather at the winning post. The truth is young Strydom won a lot of races by leading all the way, utilising a coastal tailwind to get away – and stay away – from rivals. Indeed, in those days frontrunning victories were a lot rarer than they are now and Strydom was influential in major tactical changes in the game – even after he moved to Joburg in 1889/90 and took mainstream racing by storm. Spectacular career For anyone who missed it, 59-year-old Strydom announced his retirement from riding this week. He has not renewed his licence for the 2026 season and will ride his last race at the Vaal next week. The stats: six national jockey championships, four Durban Julys, seven wins on a card twice and 'five thousand, six hundred and, um, nearly twenty' career wins. The legend: one of the top two South African jockeys of all time, along with Muis Roberts. The pinnacle: beating the best jockeys and speed horses in the world aboard South Africa's J J The Jet Plane at Sha Tin in the Hong Kong Sprint in 2010. Piere Strydom after winning the 2016 Durban July on The Conglomerate. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images Time to call it quits Speaking on a podcast hosted by his new employer Joao da Mata of Glistian Events, Striker said the time had come to finally hang up his saddle – after threatening to do so for a decade. 'It just came to the point where I didn't feel like getting on a horse,' he said. 'It's always nice to ride these winners, it still gives you a thrill … and knowing that you're doing the job right and to see other people happy. I've always been a competitive person, but how do I compete when I don't want to ride? 'I still do the job I need to do, but when you start thinking about the possibility of getting injured again and stuff like that you know it is time to call it.' He added that the cost of his insurance policies had also grown unsustainable. Looking ahead Strydom will keep busy in a hospitality role for Glistian – mixing with clients/guests at race days, golf days and other fun events. Racing scribes like me have written many thousands of words in praise of Piere Strydom over the decades. Racehorse owners like me have seen him win on our nags when the task looked impossible. Acquaintances such as I have always been touched by the friendliness, warmth and honesty of the man. There's not much more to say. Go well, Striker!
