Julius Malema Gives Advice to Nobuhle Nkabane, SA Agrees As EFF Leader Tells Her to Stop Chewing Gum
- Julius Malema has shared some advice with former Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane
- Nkabane was dismissed from her post by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 21 July 2025, and replaced with her deputy
- South Africans weighed in on Malema's advice to the minister, agreeing that she needed to listen to someone with experience
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
WESTERN CAPE – Julius Malema has offered advice to Nobuhle Nkabane following her dismissal.
The former Minister of Higher Education and Training was sacked by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 21 July and replaced with her deputy, Buti Manamela. While the president did not explain the dismissal, Nkabane was in hot water over her conduct in Parliament over the appointment of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board chairpersons.
While Nkabane blamed ‘forces on the ground’, Malema offered her advice, saying that she should go back to the drawing board and work on her conduct in Parliament. Nkabane was criticised for chewing gum during the Parliamentary sitting and refusing to answer certain questions.
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What advice did Malema give Nkabane?
Speaking at a media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday, 24 July 2025, Malema said that Nkabane was still young and had a chance to get back on her feet.
“She's so young. She has a chance to come back. I've seen people be demoted politically, then work on themselves and come back.
“The first thing she must do is stop chewing gum in a meeting,” he said.
The Economic Freedom Fighters leader also urged Nkabane to be humble and open to learning and accept that she doesn't know everything.
Source: Getty Images
Malema weighs in on Nkabane snubbing latest meeting
With pressure mounting on her, Nkabane was supposed to appear before the Parliamentary Committee on Higher Education on 18 July, but chose to attend another event instead.
Her absence drew further criticism as she was expected to clarify the SETA board controversy during the meeting. Malema was not impressed with the former minister’s decision, saying that it was her chance to make up for her mistake.
Malema added that someone from the streets was misleading her and that she was listening to someone who had no idea about the conduct in Parliament.
“There are certain things you don’t do in Parliament, and she should have known that. You don't respond to the chairperson who is from the same party in the manner she did.
“You should know 'if anything my protection will come from here'. Google it. That was childish. Extremely girlish. She was not ready to be a minister. It's not too late. She must go back to the drawing board, learn and come back.”
What do you need to know about Nkabane?
- Nkabane faced criticism from the public for chewing gum in Parliament.
- The minister defended her conduct after footage surfaced of her chewing gum in the meeting.
- President Ramaphosa was not happy with Nkabane and demanded a full report from her.
- Nkabane addressed the controversy surrounding her conduct in Parliament, but never apologised for it.
- The Democratic Alliance revealed that the Hawks were investigating Nkabane after the party filed charges against her.
- Nkabane failed to attend a Portfolio Committee sitting to address the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA).
How did South Africans react?
Social media users agreed with Malema, saying that he was offering good advice.
Gasha mw said:
“When a wise man speaks, you only have to listen.”
Tobias Ncube added:
“I support Mr Malema. Most ladies behave the same way. I don’t understand it. Even my wife does the same thing. I always complain. Chewing gum in meetings doesn’t show respect at all.”
Dante WaKurara stated:
“Mr Malema is right. This woman might be educated, but she lacks the emotional intelligence and fundamental human relationship skills required to function optimally in society.”
Paul Webber said:
“I can only agree with him.”
Karabo S. Pitso added:
“The CIC is right. She is full of arrogance.”
Lunathi McKay suggested:
“Nkabane is beyond help like most ANC comrades, unfortunately. Consciousness long escaped them. They have no respect for the people of South Africa and have no appreciation of the magnitude of the task of serving a whole country. It's a pity that, given her age, we might still have to put up with her in one deployment or another.”
Nkabane blames 'forces' for her dismissal
Nobuhle Nkabane has spoken out after being fired as the Minister of Higher Education and Training.
Briefly News reported that Nkabane blamed ‘forces on the ground’ for her dismissal as the minister.
South Africans shared their thoughts on Nkabane's statement, reminding her of her gum-chewing incident.
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Source: Briefly News
