The South African Students Congress (SASCO) has come out strongly, calling for the urgent removal of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, citing ongoing governance failures that continue to affect students across the country.
At a press briefing held on Sunday, SASCO President Alungile Kamtshe said the organisation could no longer remain silent in the face of the Minister’s continued failure to act in the best interests of students. The most pressing concern, he said, is the ongoing dysfunction within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which is still operating without a properly appointed board.
“Students cannot be expected to navigate their academic journeys while financial aid systems remain in disarray. We need a competent and ethical leader who prioritises student wellbeing and access to education. Minister Nkabane has repeatedly failed in this regard,” Kamtshe said.
Adding to the list of concerns is the alleged unlawful appointment of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board, which SASCO believes raises serious questions about transparency and due process within the Department of Higher Education.
Kamtshe revealed that the student organisation had reached out to the Minister directly before going public and also communicated their grievances in writing to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula back in April. Despite these efforts, he said, the ANC leadership had failed to act decisively, leaving students with no option but to intensify their demands.
“We tried to resolve these matters quietly and respectfully. But her refusal to take accountability, her dismissive attitude, and troubling public statements have left us deeply concerned. If this week passes without her removal, SASCO will begin mobilising students nationally,” Kamtshe warned.
According to Kamtshe, the Minister’s conduct reflects a “latent incompetence” and a disregard for the very people she is meant to serve. “South Africans witnessed her arrogance, the contradictions in her statements, and the damage caused by her mismanagement. It is disturbing, and it cannot be ignored,” he added.
SASCO now joins the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa remove Minister Nkabane. These calls come amid broader concerns about accountability and governance in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Despite the political tension, Kamtshe said the focus must remain on ensuring that students are not the ones who continue to suffer from leadership failures.
“Even if a replacement hasn’t been named, an honourable leader would step down rather than hold students hostage to political indecision.”
The unfolding crisis at NSFAS – and now at SETA – comes at a critical time for higher education in South Africa, with thousands of students depending on state support for tuition, accommodation, and food security.
Kamtshe concluded by reaffirming SASCO’s commitment to defending student rights and holding leaders accountable, warning that this is only the beginning of a broader campaign for justice in the sector.
