Cape Town – The South African Students Congress (SASCO) has demanded the immediate dismissal of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, accusing her of incompetence and poor leadership.
Speaking at a press briefing over the weekend, SASCO president Alungile Amtshe cited failures in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), chronic underfunding of institutions serving the working class, and the controversial, allegedly corrupt appointment of the Seta board.
“The crisis facing students today is not incidental. It is the direct result of poor governance by the Department of Higher Education and Training and the opportunistic, malicious, and poor bourgeoisie agenda by the university and college management.
[WATCH] SASCO president Alungile Kamtshe says the Department of Higher Education led by Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has failed to deliver on its basic responsibilities including NSFAS. Kamtshe also flags “flawed” board appointments. pic.twitter.com/6NfuaKxF8u
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 29, 2025
“It is our contention that DHAT, led by Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, within the government of national unity, has consistently failed to deliver on its most basic responsibilities, from the catastrophic delays in NSFAS first disbursements to the flawed appointment of the boards of strategic entities meant to accelerate access to training and higher education,” Amtshe said.
He added: “University and college managers behave like ruthless CEOs of profit-driven enterprises, compromising the same stakeholders whom they are appointed to protect, the commodifying of Education, prioritizing elitist interests of enforcing austerity measures that crush the poor while protecting the comfort of the privileged.
[WATCH] SASCO is calling for the immediate removal of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/gQDs1gs1fm
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 29, 2025
“These managements are complicit in the systemic exclusion of black and working-class students, perpetuating a two-tier education system that serves capital, not the people.”
SASCO joins the EFF and DA in calling for her removal, placing additional pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa amid ongoing Cabinet reshuffle speculation.
“It is such that we have no other choice but to call for the immediate removal of the Minister of Higher Education, Minister Nobuhle Nkabane.”
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@joy_zelda
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
