By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Embattled Minister of Higher Education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane says those calling for her head are misogynistic and against transformation in the post-school sector.
Nkabane presented her department’s budget vote speech for the 2025/26 financial year at the National Council of Provinces.
She said the budget would improve the efficiency and performance of South Africa’s post-school education and training system.
Earlier on Tuesday, the DA — a member of the Government of National Unity — opened a criminal case against Nkabane for fraud and statutory offences under section 26 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislature Act 4 of 2004.
Nkabane’s budget covered key higher education sectors. In terms of it, TVET colleges are to receive R14-billion, up from R13.1-billion last year. The combined allocation for Sector Education and Training Authorities and the National Skills Fund is R26-billion. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding rises to R48.7-billion this year, with further increases planned in the coming years. University education rises from R91.7-billion in 2024 to R96-billion this year alone.
Nkabane acknowledged that there was a R1.4-billion deficit in the universities budget and said that the NSFAS budget would not [be] sufficient to meet the growing demand for access to higher education.
After Nkabane presented her budget, the DA’s Jeanne Adriaanse wasted no time in shooting it down.
“It is time for President Ramaphosa to fire Minister Nkabane and clean up the ANC’s criminal network from the heart of Parliament… Another failure in this minister’s dossier is a recent scandal involving the appointment of ANC-connected individuals to the Sector Education and Training Authority. “
“The minister has lost all credibility,” said Adriaanse.
She also criticised the department’s dismal performance, citing a sharp decline in target achievement—from 78% in 2019–2020 to just 51.8%—under Nkabane’s leadership.
MK Party’s Sibongiseni Majola said they too did not support the budget because “it is not pro-poor orientated”.
EFF’s Laetitia Arries said they rejected the budget because Nkabane, like her colleagues, was not another example of a failure in leadership the country was being subject to.
“You have failed to lead the nation to the realisation of adequate higher education. You have failed to respond to the concerns raised by students across campuses in all provinces,” Arries said.
She also said Nkabane failed to account for the cadre deployment, and corruption has become the defining feature of all ANC relationships with public institutions.
Nkabane in response accused the parties of being anti-transformation, misogynistic, and doing a disservice to South Africans.
“It is a pity and unfortunate that today we are witnessing some of the honourable members not actually accepting and adopting this budget vote. Those who are actually rejecting the budget are rejecting the transformation of the post-school education and training sector in South Africa,” she said.
“They are not rejecting the budget of Nobuhle Nkabane. This is not the budget of Nobuhle Nkabane and it is the budget of the people of South Africa.
Nkabane is set to appear at the Good Hope Chambers on Thursday, 3 June 2025, for the debate on the budget.