By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Buti Manamela as the Minister of Higher Education and Training in terms of Section 91 (2) of the constitution.
Fullview learnt the decision follows Dr Nobuhle Nkabane’s resignation, which she announced in a brief statement on Monday afternoon.
Nkabane expressed her gratitude to President Ramaphosa for the opportunity to serve in such a critical role, stating, “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, for entrusting me with the responsibility to serve as Minister of Higher Education and Training.”
Nkabane has been under scrutiny after “controversial” appointments of African National Congress (ANC) cadres to sector training and education authorities (Seta) boards.
In a brief statement Presidency said, Ramaphosa has appointed Buti Manamela as the Minister of Higher Education, with Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, appointed her deputy minister.
Manamela was the deputy minister of higher education.
The presidency says Section 93 (b) of the constitution empowers the President to appoint no more than two deputy ministers from outside the National Assembly.
South Africa lacks a comprehensive student financial aid model which could improve access to different levels of higher education and include support for different levels of financial need.
There’s also been a massive reduction in infrastructure and earmarked funding which supports systemic transformation goals (such as student success initiatives, staff transformation and new infrastructure development).
Manamela will face tough decisions during his term. But he needs to build collaboration and improve policy implementation based on mutual trust between himself, the Department of Higher Education and Training and post-school institutions.