Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has sought to clarify viral moments of her appearance before the Department’s Portfolio Committee in Parliament.
These were various video clips of her chewing what appeared to be gum and seemingly apprehensive when fielding questions from MPs circulated on social media.
Amongst others, the Committee wanted clarity on the appointments of the reversed SETA board members as well as more details regarding the panel that was established to oversee the process.
In her defence, Nkabane implored the public to watch the full proceedings and not just snippets that went viral.
“Claims that I was rude or disrespectful are false and based on misleading clips taken out of context.
“I did not disrupt the process.
“I spent the entire morning and most of the afternoon in the Portfolio Committee meeting, engaging with MPs on matters affecting Higher Education and Training,” explained Nkabane in a series of posts on her personal X account.
The Minister also responded to the chewing video by reposting it with the caption that read “The chair gave members permission to eat while proceedings continued. I was present and committed to answering questions,” Nkabane wrote.
Despite her efforts to clear her name, some users on X questioned her choice of words and described it as arrogant.
Instances where she answered the Chairperson by directing him to seek answers from Google or use an Encyclopaedia rubbed some people the wrong way.
Others continued to advise her to issue an official apology for what they perceived as unacceptable behaviour.
Meanwhile, the Committee raised concerns over the reasons provided by Nkabane to withdraw SETA Chairpersons, following public outcry regarding how they were selected.
Nkabane however, believes that she gave adequate clarity and further committed to furnishing members with the vetting report and master list, subject to the provisions of the POPIA Act.
