The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher Education and Training, following the removal of his predecessor, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane. DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau hailed the move as “a victory for South Africa, not just the DA,” but emphasized that the party’s fight against corruption in government is far from over.
A Long-Awaited Decision
Khakhau, who serves on Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, stated that Nkabane’s dismissal was overdue. “The people of this country have been calling for her removal for a long time,” Khakhau said in an interview. She accused Nkabane of misleading Parliament, committing fraud, and violating the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities of Parliament Act.
The DA had previously opened a case with the Hawks regarding Nkabane’s conduct, and Khakhau insisted that accountability must still follow, even after her removal. “Just because she is no longer a minister doesn’t mean Parliament should stop investigating how public funds were used under her watch,” she said.
Broader Fight Against Corruption
Khakhau made it clear that the DA’s scrutiny extends beyond Nkabane. The party has also opposed Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane over allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
“This was not just about Nkabane—it’s about cleaning up the entire cabinet,” Khakhau asserted. “We still want to see [Minister of Human Settlements] Thembi Simelane removed for her role in the VBS scandal, and we will continue pushing for accountability across all sectors.”
Skepticism Over New Appointments
While Khakhau acknowledged Manamela’s experience in the higher education sector, she remained cautious about his ability to reform the system. “We don’t yet know if he will be an improvement or just another ANC cadre prone to the same failures,” she said.
She also raised concerns about the appointment of Dr. Nomusa Dube as Deputy Minister, questioning whether her selection was another example of “recycling failed leaders” within the ANC.
DA’s Unwavering Stance
Despite the change in leadership, Khakhau reiterated that the DA would not ease its pressure on the government. “Firing one compromised minister does not mean we will stop demanding better governance,” she said. “We will keep fighting until South Africa has a cabinet that serves the people, not the interests of the ANC.”
The DA’s next steps include deciding whether to support the Higher Education budget and continuing its push for investigations into other ministers.
As the new minister takes office, all eyes will be on whether Manamela can address the systemic challenges in higher education—or if he, too, will face the DA’s relentless scrutiny.