Ramaphosa finally fired Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane on Monday — and the DA immediately took credit. They’d previously vowed to vote against Wednesday’s Appropriations Bill unless Ramaphosa ditched ministers tainted by scandal, naming Nkabane and Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane. When Ramaphosa finally swung the axe, the DA called it a victory for “relentless pressure” and agreed to support the Bill. Cue collective sighs of relief from the Treasury.
The DA were wielding real leverage. If the Bill had failed, government departments would’ve had to operate using last year’s budgets — threatening service delivery and causing chaos across the state. So, yes, the clock was ticking.
The DA’s showdown over this issue started weeks ago when Ramaphosa fired DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield, who served in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, over an unsanctioned trip to the US. The DA cried foul, accusing Ramaphosa of playing favourites while turning a blind eye to scandal in the ANC’s ranks. They pulled out of the National Dialogue and threatened to block the Budget unless heads rolled.
But was the DA the sole reason for Nkabane’s dismissal? Analysts say not quite. Nkabane had drawn serious fire for misleading Parliament over the appointment of SETA board members — including ANC heavyweight Gwede Mantashe’s son — and then ghosted a key parliamentary meeting last Friday where she was supposed to account for it all. Even the ANC couldn’t defend her anymore.
According to analysts, her sacking was likely inevitable, with or without DA pressure.
So while the DA may have helped tip the scales, it wasn’t the only force at play. In the end, Ramaphosa saved the Budget without burning too much political capital — unlike what he’d face if he tried firing Simelane or Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who faces serious allegations too.
And the DA got what it needed: a win to save face, and political cover to support the Budget. Whether they can squeeze more concessions remains to be seen. Analysts warn they must tread carefully — push too hard, and they risk being booted from the Government of National Unity.
And Nkabane? She’s out, and not quietly either. “There are forces that want me out,” she said after her firing. “To be honest, I’m not even shocked.”
Nor, it seems, is anyone else.
Oh, and in a comic twist: the MK party, which has voted against every budget so far… accidentally voted in favour this time. 🤦🏾♀️
