STUDENTS’ VIEWS ON DR NKABANE’S APPOINTMENT

Kgabo Senyatsi

@kgabo.senyatsi

The Government of National Unity (GNU) has introduced Dr Nobuhle Nkabane as the Minister of Higher Education and Training, succeeding Dr Blade Nzimande. According to an interview with University World News, Dr Nkabane pledged to fix students’ issues and fully prioritise their needs, ultimately improving the state of higher education institutions. The newly formed departmental initiatives effect students nationwide, including those of the North-West University (NWU). 

Students of the NWU Potchefstroom campus took the opportunity to express their perceptions on Dr Nkabane’s appointment as Minister under South Africa’s GNU administration. 

“The shift from Mineral Energy to Higher Education is drastic and I think she has a much to recuperate when it comes to the issue of students’ tuition fees being increased. A lot must change because now things are directed to her mandate and what she can bring. I honestly don’t know how to feel about her. We will just have to wait and see,” said Tebogo Nkwe, a second-year BCom Economics student. 

Tshwanelo Maleko, an honours student in Development Communication also shared her thoughts regarding the appointment of Dr Nkabane, “I believe she is the change students need. She deserves a chance to show what she can do because students have suffered for too long under Nzimande’s leadership. I appreciate the diversity her leadership brings, especially her goal of increasing the number of female vice-chancellors at universities. I also admire her determination and willingness to face challenges, which will help prove her critics wrong.”

“I don’t really know much about her, however, I know she’ll do a better job than Dr Blade Nzimande due to her history of working in multiple portfolio committees and working at a municipality as a youth coordinator. She was also a tutor at the University of South Africa, not to mention her various academic achievements. I think she’s fit for the job,” said Thato Morena who is studying towards his BA degree. 

Kamogelo Radebe, an honours student also weighed in her thoughts and said, “The ideas from Dr Nkabane in shaping the department are good, but it makes sense for people to have uncertainties regarding her appointment since she served under another department as a Deputy Minister. She does not have experience in heading the department so it makes me anxious. If she was from another party, I wouldn’t have felt as uncomfortable. She’s representing the African National Congress (ANC), and it has failed dismally.” 

Dr Nkabane will serve in the department for the next five years and decisions taken to modify the state of higher institutions will be dependent on the authorisation of various political organizations collectively serving in the GNU. 

The Department of Higher Education and Training will stimulate higher quality education according to the newly appointed Minister, yet there are mixed reactions amongst NWU students regarding her appointment.

Edited by Lesiba Dikhoba