Parliamentary career
Nkabane stood as a parliamentary candidate in the May 8,2019 national and provincial elections for the African National Congress. [5] She was elected to the National Assembly from the KwaZulu-Natal list and was sworn in on 22 May 2019. [6]
On 27 June 2019,Nkabane was named to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements,Water and Sanitation and the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour. [7] She left the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements,Water and Sanitation on 19 July 2019. [8]
Nkabane was appointed to the Portfolio Committee on Sports,Arts and Culture on 5 September 2019. [9] She left that committee on 8 October 2020. [10]
On 21 June 2021,Nkabane was named to the Committee for Section 194 Enquiry. The committee will determine Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office. [11]
National executive
On 5 August 2021,president Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Nkabane as Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy. She was sworn in on 6 August 2021. [12] [13]
On 16 March 2022,Nkabane said that South Africa should be investing in nuclear energy,while speaking at the Nuclear Technology Imbizo under the theme "Promoting Global Partnership to Support the South African New Nuclear Build Program". She also said that it has been proven internationally that nuclear energy provides "an invaluable electricity source". [14]
On 3 July 2024,Nkabane was sworn in as South Africa's Minister of Higher Education.On 21 July 2025 Nobuhle Nkabane has been dismissed by Cyril Ramaphosa as a Minister of Higher education. [15] [16]
Controversy
In May 2025,it was found,via an information leak,that there were irregularities around 22 board chair appointments Nkabane had made to a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). One such appointment was for Buyambo Mantashe,the son of fellow South African politician,and Minister of Mineral Resources,Gwede Mantashe,and several individuals appointed were ANC associates. [17]
SETAs are vocational skills training organizations responsible for promoting and facilitating education and training within specific economic sectors in South Africa. They play a vital role in implementing the country's National Skills Development Strategy,and increasing the skills of individuals within their respective sectors. [17]
Nkabane appeared before a Portfolio Committee in Parliament on 30 May 2025, [18] in order to answer questions relating to the contentious SETA appointments. During the sitting,she allegedly displayed an uninterested,disrespectful demeanor. Nkabane also refused to answer questions,and at one point told the portfolio members to Google for answers. [17]
Nkabane also refused to disclose the names of the independent panel that oversaw the appointment process,and claimed that the process was free from flaws. [18]
As soon as President Cyril Ramaphosa became aware of the appointments,he called Nkabane,and instructed her to withdraw them. The appointments were withdrawn after Ramaphosa read her the Riot Act,with Nkabane announcing on 16 May 2025 that she was withdrawing them due to public concerns. She said she would issue a Government Gazette calling for new appointments within 7 days. She further stated that a new independent panel would be established to make recommendations for and process the nominations. [17] [18]
President Ramaphosa,in response,requested that Nkabane submit a detailed report on the SETA chair appointment process,as well as an explanation of her conduct before the Portfolio Committee. [17] The President stated that he expects members of the Executive to conduct themselves professionally,transparently,and cordially when engaging with Parliament,and other accountability structures. [18]
In her defense,Nkabane stated that clips of the Committee proceedings posted online had been taken out of context,and she maintained she was not disrespectful towards the Parliamentary members who questioned her. [18]
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