Written by Myra Okafor | Published July 24, 2025 | Cape Town, South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the Minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane, amid allegations of corruption and misconduct, in a high-stakes political gamble that helped secure the passage of the country’s critical Appropriations Bill.

The move came just hours before the parliamentary vote on the bill, which was essential to keep the government functioning. Without the support of the Democratic Alliance (DA), the bill faced almost certain failure. However, the DA agreed to back the legislation after Ramaphosa acted swiftly to remove Nkabane, who had been accused of interfering in university appointments and misleading Parliament.

Her ousting paved the way for a narrow passage of the bill, preventing what could have been a fiscal crisis with wide-reaching effects on public service delivery and investor confidence.

Buti Kgwaridi Manamela has been appointed as the new Minister of Higher Education. In his inaugural remarks, Manamela emphasized a commitment to ethical governance and vowed to cleanse the ministry of “malpractice and inefficiency.”

“We will work to restore integrity and transparency in the education sector, particularly in vocational training and skills development programs,” he said.

The situation highlights the fragility of South Africa’s coalition government, formed after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. Ramaphosa’s decision to act decisively has been interpreted as a strategic win in a government grappling with internal power struggles and public skepticism.

Political analysts note that while the crisis has been averted for now, tensions remain high, and the coalition’s stability continues to be tested. However, the swift resolution may boost investor sentiment and signal a firmer stance against corruption within the administration.