Minister of Higher Education Buti Manamela at the swearing-in ceremony at Tuynhuys on 22 July 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach) 
On Monday, 21 July 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Buti Manamela as the new minister of Higher Education and Training after former minister Nobuhle Nkabane was axed amid allegations of corruption after ANC members were appointed as chairpersons of the 21 Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards.
Manamela was sworn in on 22 July by Ramaphosa, alongside new Deputy Minister Nomsa Dube-Ncube, who had been named as the chairperson of one of the 21 Setas before Nkabane withdrew the appointments.
Read more: Minister withdraws recent appointments of chairpersons for Seta boards amid claims of nepotism, corruption.
New minister: Buti Manamela
Manamela is no stranger to the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector, especially to the political sphere. As a student, Manamela was also president of the SRC at Mamelodi College, and actively participated in school debates and sporting activities. He also served as president of the South African College Students Association (Sacsa).
Young Communist League days
It was during his Young Communist League (YCL) days as national secretary that Manamela became vocal on issues concerning the ANC, and a big supporter of former president Jacob Zuma.
In 2005, former president Thabo Mbeki sacked Zuma as deputy president during the Schabir Shaik trial, with Zuma alleged to be involved in corruption.
Manamela, on behalf of the YCL, said the decision infringed upon Zuma’s constitutional rights. He had previously defended Zuma against allegations of corruption, and the YCL later supported Zuma during his rape trial.
In 2008, the Constitutional Court upheld a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling declaring search-and-seizure warrants executed on Zuma’s homes and offices lawful. Documents seized in the raids formed part of a high court trial with 16 counts, including fraud and money laundering.
In that period, Manamela strongly supported Zuma, stating: “We guarantee that Zuma will be the president of the country … What won’t happen is even imagining him wearing orange [prison] overalls.”
Manamela’s rise to government positions was filled with challenges and battles for positions within the YCL; in 2010, a fight broke out between supporters of Khaye Nkwanyana and Manamela for the national secretary position after Manamela was elected for the third time.
There was speculation that Manamela had a close relationship with Blade Nzimande from the SACP. However, at the time Manamela disputed this.
Entering into government positions
In the May 2014 general election, Manamela stepped down from the YCL because he believed it was time for new blood at the top of the organisation, and he was elected as deputy minister in the presidency during Zuma’s first term as president. Manamela continued serving in the South African Communist Party (SACP) central committee.
During that period, Manamela fell out with Nzimande over issues such as Manamela’s continued support for Zuma. The group wanted Manamela to be removed from the SACP’s central committee over his close relationship with Zuma.
In 2017, Zuma announced a shocking Cabinet reshuffle in which Manamela was appointed as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, serving under Hlengiwe Mkhize. When Ramaphosa came in as president, Manamela remained in that portfolio, and when Ramaphosa formed his second Cabinet the ministry was enlarged as the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. The two SACP former members were reunited as Nzimande was appointed as the minister above Manamela.
It was not long before the two had a second public fallout. A leaked recording revealed a fallout over media coverage. Nzimande demanded control over communications, but Manamela rejected his “schoolboy daily monitoring”.
Manamela under Nkabane
Serving under Nkabane, Manamela engaged with various Technical and Vocational and Education Training colleges to conduct oversight, also going to countries to strengthen the Post-School Education and Training sector. Earlier this month, Manamela met with Colombian Vice-Minister of Education Ricardo Moreno to discuss cooperation on higher education and training.
Manamela faced criticism after missing a key Parliament meeting on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and the National Skills Fund. He was meant to stand in for Nkabane, who was on a state visit to China, but his no-show led to the meeting being cancelled.
Read more: Higher education deputy minister’s no-show sees plug pulled on key student funding meeting in Parliament.
However, Manamela has now made his way to the senior position as the new minister of the Post-School Education and Training sector and will now lead the charge. Daily Maverick spoke to MPs who welcomed and congratulated Manamela, with one resenting the decision to appoint him as the new minister.
Sihle Lonzi (EFF) told Daily Maverick that he viewed him in the same light as Nkabane.
“We don’t welcome the appointment of Manamela. We view him in the same light; he was deputy minister for eight years, a deputy minister for Nkabane. These are the same crooks, so we don’t have any enthusiasm about his appointment. If he were an honest deputy minister, when all of this was happening (Seta issues), we didn’t hear his voice… We are going to hold him accountable. When he does what is correct, we’ll support him. When he messes up, we’ll tell him,” said Lonzi.
Other MPs responded positively to Manamela’s appointment. Sanele Zondo (IFP) welcomed the new minister and said it was long overdue. He said Nkabane had chosen her path.
“When Nkabane was appointed, I congratulated her and told her I feel very sorry because you are being deployed to a department that is rotten to the core… If she had told the truth to the nation about what happened… but she decided to protect the party and throw herself under the bridge,” said Zondo.
Meanwhile, Sihle Ngubane (MK) told Daily Maverick that Manamela had been in the education department for a while, and knew what was best.
“In the new minister, we congratulate him, and we feel that the new minister knows this process. Remember, this minister has been deputy minister in this department for a long time. The new minister knows the processes. And I’m telling you, with the experience of deputising, he will know what to do. We’re hoping and wish him all the best in his new work,” said Ngubane.
The ANC welcomed the appointments of Manamela and Dube-Ncube.
“The ANC is confident that this new leadership team will advance access, equity and quality in the higher education sector. We extend our gratitude to Dr Nobuhle Nkabane for her service and wish her well in her future endeavours. These appointments reaffirm our commitment to a capable, ethical and developmental state,” read the statement.
The National Tertiary Education Union also welcomed Manamela’s appointment.
“We wish him well in his new role and pledge of support to advance stability within the sector for workers, academics, and students alike. We are looking forward to a greater era of good governance and cooperative stakeholder engagements… The union will work with him and his office to tackle each challenge head-on and build a better future for our country,” said Secretary-General Grant Abbott. DM