The coverage of the Minister of Higher Education and Training’s public appearances has drawn his displeasure. An audio recording that was leaked contained these insights.
The absence of departmental media coverage of their public activities worries Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. This was revealed in a stolen recording that the Sunday Times was able to get.
Nzimande also questioned why Deputy Minister Buti Manamela’s attendance at events received more internal attention than their engagements in the leaked audio recording.
Even though I serve as the chief spokesperson for both the Department of Science and Innovation and the Department of Higher Education and Training, the DHET never, ever covers me live.
Nzimande lamented the fact that when their engagements occur at the same time as the deputy minister’s engagements, the deputy minister’s engagement will receive coverage.
They said, “I want to be honest, I was angry, very angry, I wasn’t covered on Friday by the department and it’s not the first time. In many instances, I am speaking [at one place] and the deputy minister [who is speaking elsewhere] is covered. It’s causing tension between myself and the deputy minister, deliberately. “
On Sunday, Nzimande responded to a question about the audio recording saying there is no tension between him and Manamela. They said the audio recording simply indicates that they want everybody who works within the higher education department to do their work correctly.
All of that just reflects the fact that I am a government employee and, as a minister, I want everyone who works with me to complete their tasks promptly and accurately.
The released audio tape was described as evidence of a minor dispute in the higher department by the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC). They advised Nzimande to resign from the position so that a young, fresh, and creative leadership could take over.
