Buti Manamela ‘right person’ to take Higher Education forward
Political analyst Oscar van Heerden says the sacking of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane was long overdue.
President Ramaphosa announced her removal on Monday, replacing her with her deputy, Buti Manamela.
Nkabane has faced criticism over controversial SETA board appointments that are currently being investigated by the Hawks.
She also snubbed last Friday's parliamentary committee meeting where she was due to account.
Van Heerden says political pressure and her inexperience left Nkabane vulnerable to influence.
However, he believes Manamela, who has been a deputy minister in the department for eight years, is the right choice to take the portfolio forward.
" We were surprised when President Ramaphosa appointed Nkabane as the minister and kept Buti as deputy because he really did cut his teeth under the Blade Nzimande era. He's been there for a number of years. He has been doing sterling work, and we had thought that he was ready to take over the portfolio, but alas, the president thought otherwise. Now, eventually, the right decision has been made."
The DA has praised the role its MPs played in pushing for Nkabane's removal.
But Van Heerden says the party, which is now part of the government, should stop behaving like the opposition.
"It's for the same reason why he decided, he's going to do it at his own time when he's ready and when he has looked at the merit of the case. So I don't think that it's because of the DA pressure, but also I don't think it's the correct politics for the DA or any other political party for that matter, to give ultimatum and to issue threats and blackmail."
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
