South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Nobuhle Nkabane, following mounting pressure from coalition partner the Democratic Alliance (DA) over allegations of political interference and misleading conduct in Parliament.
The move is widely seen as an effort to contain a brewing crisis within the country’s fragile coalition government, just days before Parliament is set to vote on the contentious 2025 Appropriations Bill. The bill, which determines departmental budget allocations, has become a flashpoint in coalition dynamics.
Nkabane, a senior member of the African National Congress (ANC), was accused by the DA of appointing politically affiliated individuals aligned with the ANC to boards of several state skills development entities. The opposition party further accused her of providing inaccurate information to Parliament regarding the selection process for those appointments.
In a televised interview with local media, Nkabane denied the allegations and expressed disappointment over her dismissal, stating that serving in her role had been “a privilege and an honour.”
President Ramaphosa has not yet named a replacement but confirmed that the decision was necessary to uphold public trust in government and ensure institutional integrity within key education bodies. His administration has faced growing scrutiny from both the public and coalition allies over perceived lapses in accountability and transparency.
The DA, which joined the ANC in a coalition arrangement after the 2024 elections produced no outright majority, welcomed the sacking. Party officials said the decision marked a “step in the right direction,” especially amid what they described as “a pattern of misconduct” among ANC ministers. Just last month, the Deputy Minister of Trade was dismissed for travelling abroad without obtaining presidential approval.
The dispute around Nkabane’s conduct had become a serious point of contention, with the DA warning it would not support budget allocations to ministries led by ANC figures accused of mismanagement or ethical breaches. With the Appropriations Bill set for debate on Wednesday, the risk of budgetary deadlock remains high.
Political analysts say the episode reflects the broader challenges facing South Africa’s first national coalition government, where ideological and governance differences between the ANC and DA have resulted in repeated stand-offs over ministerial performance and corruption allegations.
As the parliamentary showdown approaches, Ramaphosa’s decision may buy time for coalition stability — but questions remain about how long unity can be maintained amid intensifying internal and public pressures.
