Manamela at war with director-general over departmental entities
South African Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela is in a dispute with his director-general, Dr. Nkosinathi Sishi, regarding the management of departmental entities. Manamela intends to end Sishi's contract, citing poor performance, while Sishi has submitted a formal record of achievements to the President to defend his tenure.
Why it matters
The conflict threatens the stability of South Africa's higher education sector, which oversees universities and vocational training institutions.
Higher education minister Buti Manamela is at loggerheads with his director-general, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, over the running of entities that fall under the department.
The two are said to have clashed over some of the decisions Manamela has taken since assuming office a year ago.
So rocky is the relationship between the two that Manamela has been accused of unilaterally deciding not to renew Sishi’s contract when it comes to an end in October — a move which normally requires the prior agreement of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The crux of the conflict appears to be Sishi’s persistence in pushing back against decisions Manamela has taken since taking over the department.
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