By Johnathan Paoli

While the ANC and its allies framed the budget as a tool for transformation and inclusion, opposition parties from across the political spectrum lambasted the department’s leadership, dysfunction in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, and persistent exclusion of underprivileged students.

ANC MP and Higher Education Portfolio Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie endorsed the budget, calling it a “powerful instrument for social transformation” and grounding it in the legacy of the Freedom Charter.

He praised growth in enrolment figures, including a projected 56,100 new university students and plans to fund 300,000 TVET students over five years.

Letsie acknowledged funding delays and the defunding of some students, but insisted that Parliamentary oversight would ensure accountability.

“We are not blind to the challenges. But rejecting this budget means rejecting NSFAS, student accommodation and transformation itself,” he warned.

DA MPs Matlhodi Maseko and Karabo Khakhau delivered fierce denunciations of Nkabane’s leadership.

Maseko accused her of misleading Parliament over the Sector Education and Training Authorities appointment panel and failing to fix the “disastrous” NSFAS.

“What kind of minister punishes students for her own failures?” Maseko asked.

Khakhau called on Nkabane to resign, accusing her of fraud and turning a blind eye to corruption.

“Serve the people. Be honest. Resign,” she declared.

Both MPs rejected the budget, citing collapsing infrastructure, administrative chaos and misplaced priorities.

The EFF also rejected the budget, with MP Sihle Lonzi calling NSFAS “corrupt” and demanding that fintech intermediaries be removed from the payment system.

The party proposed seven reforms, including insourcing academic workers, elevating TVET status and introducing an unemployed graduate grant.

“Minister, you must choose: are you with the students or the corrupt?” Lonzi challenged.

MK Party MPs Mnqobi Msezane and Joel Ngubane denounced the budget as a betrayal.

Msezane accused the department of ignoring student debt and called for dismantling NSFAS and the National Skills Fund.

Ngubane linked the death of Walter Sisulu University student Sisonga Mbolekwa to poor living conditions and demanded accountability.

“The government that did this killing now pretends to honour the victim,” Ngubane said, urging Nkabane to visit Mbolekwa’s family.

Inkatha Freedom Party MP Sanele Zondo gave conditional support for the budget, urging urgent reforms.

Zondo pointed to delayed infrastructure projects, poor SETA governance, and NSFAS failures, but affirmed the IFP’s willingness to work towards accountability and delivery.

“We support this budget, but we demand visible change,” he stated.

ActionSA MP Malebo Kobe rejected the budget, accusing the department of creating a “bureaucracy of despair”.

She condemned the 500,000 bed housing backlog, NSFAS failures and mismanagement of SETAs.

Kobe proposed reforms including a R500,000 NSFAS income threshold, student housing from hijacked buildings and scrapping fintech payment platforms.

“Our ‘no’ is for students sleeping in libraries and toilets,” she said.

PA MP Ashley Sauls supported the budget while criticising racial marginalisation in hiring and governance at universities and TVET colleges.

He called for inclusive targets in procurement and academic appointments, naming several individuals allegedly excluded on racial grounds.

“Honourable Minister, I know you are not stupid. Salute,” he ended.

Responding to the deluge of criticism, Nkabane defended the department’s reforms, particularly at NSFAS.

She denied that 27,000 students would be defunded, stating that the R11 billion funding gap had been closed and that the Treasury was finalising the support.

“No one is going to be defunded. I want to assure you, people of South Africa,” she said.

Ignoring personal attacks, she vowed to stay focused on delivery.

“I’m going to focus on the task at hand, serving the people of South Africa.”

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