Edwin Naidu | July 22, 2025
It was a bad timing to remove Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane just before National Women's Month. Her predecessor, Dr. Blade Nizimande, has played an unfair role for over 15 years, as her unfortunate legacy of higher education unfolds horribly. Nkabane was handling poor hands.
We need to question the authenticity of President Cyrilramaphosa's commitment to combat gender parity and corruption. But many will agree that former vice-chairman Gwede Mantashe of the Ministry of Minerals and Energy was out of depth in the higher education portfolio.
However, it was unfair to stab her into a cespool of higher education without considering the scope of the task. She had no chance of success and was destined to fail.
This especially appeared after a failed list of appointees of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA). Assigned to one of the roles of SETA Chairman was Gwede's son Buyambo Mantashe, which led to the withdrawal of all appointments.
As expected, Ramaphosa did nothing when the line began. Prior to National Women's Month, Nkabane was gone and a critical portfolio of higher education and training returned to men. That's someone we know well too.
The question is, did Buti Manamela, the well-respected and respected leader of the South African Communist Party, put South Africa first? Or will he stick to a quiet party that he doesn't see in perfect condition? Or will he be seen by his friends? That's part of the tweet.
Manamera has been vice minister since 2014, and he understands the changing environment of ANC and higher education better than most people. He works well in that his former boss, Nzimande, once criticised him for getting more publicity. To his achievement, Manamera remained silent and continued his work.
Ramaphosa feels it is wrong to not give jobs to the young Communist Party Federation and the African National Assembly leaders last year. At least he managed to fix one error.
It relies heavily on the broad shoulders of the Manamera. He has a big smile and gives out his confidence. But what South Africa needs is to ensure that the country acquires a quality tertiary system in order for Manamera to break the ranks in the ANC.
The higher education system continues to survive, but it is broken. Universities face a variety of challenges, including funding and governance. Seta is confused. The National Skills Fund is not carrying out its mission.
Ironically, despite negative publicity, Nkabane has been able to significantly strengthen its national student financial aid system. Efforts are underway to address past issues under the new Chair, Karinsander and acting Chief Executive Officer Waseem Carrim.
She remained silent, but many believed that Nkabane was trying to hold tight as she was trying to grasp corruption among Setas. Her nemesis, Sihle Ngubane, is the former chairman of the Insurance Sector Education and Training Department, and is currently an MP, serving on the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training.
Reports say that under his surveillance, Instagram was said to have approved a dangerous bid, and was the subject of various investigations. Inseta CEO Gugu Mkhize has made three qualified audits primary side. In any other organization, she would have been fired.
She quickly acknowledged the organization when the revered industry player, the Financial Services graduate, flew a red flag in addition to her actions. GIFS is taking Inseta to court for R240 million. Nkabane worked to calm down.
As a political principal, she knew that the belligerence of SETA CEOs was a charge of her leadership. And she was ready to act. Sources say she was trying to promote at least half the amount of payments.
The first task facing Manamera is to read his friend The Riot Act. As Deputy Minister, Manamera has graced several Inseta events and has been featured prominently on social media pages. His predecessors tried to clean up poorly performed Seta, dealing with false performers such as Gugu Mkhize, as well as Rudderless Construction Eduction and Training Authority, where CEOs are said to be like dictators.
The organization that undoes tax abuse (OUTA) that caused the alarm over the scope of SETAS corruption is aware of the alleged friendship between Manamera and Mkhize. It's all on Facebook. The organization says it will ask for a meeting to discuss Brazen Mkhize.
Manamera's first test is how he handles the false mkhize and Inseta shenanigans. How about a lawsuit for damages? Nkabane passed the baton. And he inherited new, ancient drama from the construction set.
Another priority is to address the funding challenges facing higher education institutions. There are others, but do not let new brooms submerge.
I want to focus on what he likes to talk about the most. For Manamera, when it comes to technical and vocational education and training (TVET), there is no stimulation as much as the prospect of TV universities changing workplaces and tackling the country's youth unemployment.
Manamera passionately explains the possibility of shifting the dialing of young people in South Africa through these skill-based learning institutions aimed at contributing to the economy. He believes TVET graduates are more employed than university graduates. If that creates a dent in the country's unemployment rate, then Manamera's optimism must lead to positive outcomes.
As a product of Mamelodi Tvet College, Manamera knows what he's talking about. His youthful face is not hidden by the outstanding whiskers he occasionally plays sports, but when Terret is discussed it illuminates its impact on the future.
Manamera completed the Matrix at Fagamen High School in Modimore. He studied for N approval at Mamelody College's Electronics until 2001, earning his post-graduation diploma (2014) and a Masters degree in Public Policy Management from the University of Witwatersland (2017).
Manamera says TVET colleges across the country need to provide coding, programming and robotics to broaden their 21st century skills.
Youthful Manamera is experienced and certainly has a reasonable solution. No one doubts the difficult path ahead. But let's show him his temper and see if he's become a challenge that will make South Africa first: serving people, parties, or his friends.
Buti Manamela: Your mission is possible now that you have accepted!
*Edwin Naidu is Higher Education Media Services (HEMS), Head of Education.
“Disclaimer – the views and opinions expressed in this article are the views of the author and are not necessarily those of the Bee Room.”
