Sacked former minister Nkabane elected acting chair of Parliament’s Agriculture Committee

Nobuhle Nkabane

Cape Town – Former Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has been elected acting chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture following the appointment of former committee chairperson Dina Pule to Cabinet.

Nkabane, who was removed from the executive by President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, was elected on Wednesday to lead the committee on an interim basis as it prepares for Parliament’s next term, which begins in August.

When Nkabane was sacked last year, she expressed gratitude to Ramaphosa for giving her the opportunity to serve as Minister of Higher Education.

“It has been a privilege to lead this important portfolio, and I am grateful to the sector and the people of South Africa for their support and for allowing me to serve in this capacity.

“I remain committed to the service of our people and the advancement of our country’s development,” Nkabane she said.

Nkabane was dismissed by Ramaphosa a day before she was due to appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education to explain the appointment process for the boards of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

According to IOL, she will serve as acting chairperson of the Agriculture Portfolio Committee until its next meeting in August, following Pule’s appointment as Minister of Social Development.

Committee secretary Albertina Kakaza presided over the election, explaining that Parliament’s rules require members to elect an acting chairperson when the permanent chairperson is absent or unable to perform their duties.

“If the chairperson of the committee is absent or unable to perform the functions of chairperson, the committee must elect another of its members as acting chairperson,” Kakaza said.

Picture: X/GovernmentZA

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

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