Latest news with #ThePresidency
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa reshuffles higher education leadership after Nkabane's removal
President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Dr Nobuhle Nkabane from the role of minister of Higher Education and Training and has appointed Buti Manamela as minister of the portfolio. Manamela was serving as deputy minister of Higher Education and Training until this appointment, a role he had held since the 6th administration. The announcement was made in a statement issued by The Presidency last night. Consequently, in terms of Section 93 (b) of the Constitution, Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube as the deputy minister of Higher Education and Training. 'Dube's long government leadership experience includes serving as MEC for Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs and Premier of the Province of KZN, among other roles,' said The Presidency. Section 93 (b) empowers the president to appoint no more than two deputy ministers from outside the Assembly. Last month, Ramaphosa requested that Nkabane provide him with a detailed report on the decorum and substance of her engagement with Parliament. This followed media commentary on her appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on May 30. The minister was seen in a video on social media eating while responding to a question from the chairperson of the Higher Education committee, Tebogo Letsie. Ramaphosa said at the time that the request for the report was in view of the president's expectation that ministers, deputy ministers and senior executives in the public sector conduct themselves professionally, transparently and cordially when engaging with Parliament and other accountability institutions. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
BREAKING: Ramaphosa finally acts against errant higher education minster
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has been axed from her position today, 21 July 2025. Following her axing, Nkabane issued a brief statement thanking Ramaphosa for the opportunity to serve. 'It has been a privilege to lead this important portfolio. I am grateful to the sector and the people of South Africa for their support and for allowing me to serve in this capacity,' she said. Her departure comes amid mounting pressure. Nkabane closed her message by reaffirming her commitment to public service and the advancement of South Africa's development. According to a media statement from The Presidency, Buti Kgwaridi Manamela has been appointed Minister of Higher Education and Training. He previously served as Deputy Minister in the same department. Ramaphosa also appointed Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube as the new Deputy Minister. Dube-Ncube previously served as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. 'Section 93 (b) empowers the President to appoint no more than two Deputy Ministers from outside the Assembly,' the statement said. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa says the National Dialogue is 'not just about talking'
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Dialogue is a significant national process to develop a social compact that will enable the country to meet the aspirations of the National Development Plan Image: GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday said the planned National Dialogue will not be another talk shop but will be used as an instrument to develop a social compact. Speaking during the budget vote for The Presidency in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa said the National Dialogue was being convened in response to calls from individuals and formations from across society. 'This initiative has received wide support and has been endorsed by the Government of National Unity (GNU) as a significant national process to develop a social compact that will enable us to meet the aspirations of the National Development Plan,' he said. He made the statement as the GNU's second biggest partner, the DA, announced that it will boycott the National Dialogue citing the exorbitant amount budgeted for it convening after former minister Andrew Whitfield was axed from Cabinet after he went overseas without his approval. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ramaphosa said the National Dialogue does not displace the democratic processes mandated by the Constitution nor the electoral mandates that parties carry into Parliament and the executive. He said the country has to come together at every important moment in the history to define a shared vision and forge a path into the future in dialogue with one another. 'The National Dialogue is not just about talking. Like CODESA, like the National Peace Accord, like the consultation process that led to our new Constitution, the National Dialogue is expected to produce real results that have a tangible impact on people's lives.' Ramaphosa stated that they were called upon to use the National Dialogue as an instrument of development, transformation, progress, national cohesion and nation building. 'The National Dialogue does not displace the democratic processes mandated by our Constitution, nor the electoral mandates that parties carry into Parliament and the Executive.' He also said the GNU will continue to take action to address the immediate concerns that all South Africans share to grow our economy, to create jobs, to tackle corruption and crime, and to fix local government. Ramaphosa said when they established the GNU, they understood that they were embarking on a new era in the life of the country's democracy. 'We understood that there would be complex dynamics and novel challenges that we would need to navigate.' Citing one of successes of the GNU, he said they have together adopted the Medium Term Development Plan, which outlines clear actions to be undertaken over the next five years in pursuit of three strategic priorities. He also said across all ministries, all departments and all national entities, there was a commitment to implement the agreed actions and to move with urgency and purpose to address the needs of South Africans. 'Most importantly, there is a shared understanding that we need to rise above our differences and to work together to make progress on our most important challenges. The approach of the GNU is to enhance national cohesion and nation building and to build partnerships across society to advance the common interests of all South Africans.' Ramaphosa further said the formation of the GNU has inspired new hope in South Africans that they can make progress in addressing the most urgent challenges. He said their task was to grow the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty, tackle corruption and crime, and build a state that worked with institutions that will stand the test of time. 'While we will always have differences and disagreements, we are all committed to staying the course and seeing these reforms through to the end. 'We must combine the strength of our principles and convictions with an openness and willingness to listen and adapt,' Ramaphosa said.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
What Ramaphosa's Presidency budget will focus on
President Ramaphosa will outline the 7th administration's strategic priorities in Parliament, with a focus on infrastructure, economic transformation and ethical leadership. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to table the Presidency Budget Vote for the 2025 and 2026 financial year on Wednesday afternoon, at the National Assembly in Parliament, Cape Town. According to the Presidency, the Budget Vote will focus on the 7th administration's three strategic priorities, which includes promoting inclusive growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. 'These priorities are embodied by The Presidency's flagship programmes Operation Vulindlela, Presidential District Development Model and the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission, among transformative initiatives to inculcate a nation that works for all,' Presidency spokesperson Vincent Mangwenya said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Why has President Ramaphosa overlooked Deputy Police Minister Boshielo?
Deputy ministers are appointed to assist ministers in carrying out their duties, but The Presidency has confirmed that such appointments remain the sole prerogative of President Ramaphosa. The purpose of a deputy minister has again been questioned as chaos engulfs the police ministry. Firoz Cachalia will assume the acting police minister position on 1 August, but President Cyril Ramaphosa added more fuel to the fire with a shock announcement. The fallout has been endless since KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi rocked the security cluster with damning allegations against officials two weeks ago. Presidential prerogative The president announced on Tuesday that Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe will lead the police ministry on an acting basis until Cachalia takes over in two weeks. The Presidency confirmed on Tuesday that Mantashe will retain his mineral resources role, with many asking why Deputy Minister Polly Boshielo was not drafted in. Spokesperson for The Presidency, Vincent Magwenya, was asked why the president had not considered Boshielo for a promotion. 'The question assumes that there's a template or criteria, and it ignores the prerogative that the constitution grants to the president in appointing members of the national executive,' Magwenya told The Citizen. Before her appointment to Ramaphosa's Cabinet, Boshielo served as Limpopo MEC for transport and previously held the position of MEC for education. Boshielo had an earlier stint in the national assembly from 2014 to 2015 before being redeployed to Limpopo, where she was elected speaker of the provincial legislature. In addition to her ANC membership, the Seshego native has also been a member of the South African Communist Party. Staffing costs Boshielo addressed the question herself on Tuesday, stating that the temporary promotion would not be permissible. 'In terms of the law, the deputy minister can't be appointed as the acting minister, only if let's say there is a reshuffle,' Boshielo told SAfm. 'We are waiting for the acting minister to start working with us. Yes, we have spoken to our staff. I cannot lie to you, the morale is a bit low,' she added. Cachalia will act as the minister while a commission of inquiry investigates Mkhwanazi's allegations, raising additional questions about possible staff expenses. 'Yes, [Cachalia] will be able to bring his own staff once he has made his own assessment on how he will prefer to work,' Magwenya explained to The Citizen. 'He can also choose to use some of Minister Mchunu's staff. It will be up to him once he has made an assessment,' he added. Bloated Cabinet The purpose of deputy ministers was raised last year after Ramaphosa announced a bloated Cabinet to accommodate the government of national unity. ActionSA have led the charge to ditch deputy minister roles altogether, launching a Cabinet amendment bill to abolish the positions. The party states that doing so would save South Africa as much as R1.5 billion in salaries, support staff costs and perks. 'The president must seize this moment, right-size the Cabinet and restore effective governance,' stated ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip. '[This] Cabinet is not only one of the largest in the world but also deeply ineffective, with worsening socio-economic indicators reflecting a failure rooted in absent reforms,' he concluded. NOW READ: Minister perks and broader definition of corruption — ActionSA's legislative proposals
