By Levy Masiteng

The Real Madrid Foundation has launched its third youth Educational Football Programme in South Africa, teaming up with Generation Schools to empower young minds and bodies. 

The programme, which began earlier this year, is already making waves in the Western Cape and Johannesburg, with 150 young footballers benefiting from quality coaching, mentorship and personal development.

“The project was launched at the beginning of the year and caters for 100 young people at the centres in Sunningdale and Imhoff in the Western Cape. There are a further 50 participants in the centre based in Johannesburg,” the foundation said. 

The foundation intends to take in 300 children by the end of the year. 

“In the context of high youth unemployment in South Africa and significant gaps in access to quality education, programmes like this are essential,” said Generation Schools executive director Jevron Epstein.

To date, the foundation said that Generation Schools has been awarded seven full scholarships, including six with accommodation, and 20 semi-scholarships to talented young athletes from low-income communities in Cape Town.

“These scholarships provide recipients with access to independent education, board and active participation in the programme, offering a stable and nurturing environment in which students can excel academically, socially and physically.”

The foundation said that every Friday, the team visited vulnerable areas like Masiphumelele near Imhoff and provided coaching sessions for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The recent Johannesburg launch at Generation Schools Taroko in Modderfontein drew over 900 families, as well the Spanish Ambassador to South Africa, José Manuel Pascual, and Andrés Muntaner, the director of campus and clinics at the Real Madrid Foundation. 

Epstein emphasised the programme’s significance, saying: “We use football as a tool to create real opportunities for education and personal growth, assisting young people in developing their futures in sport, in the classroom and in their communities.”

With plans to enroll over 300 children by the end of the year, the programme is poised to make a lasting impact on South African youth. 

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

South Africa marks a milestone in its battle against youth unemployment as over 200,000 young people begin work at more than 20,000 schools nationwide under Phase V of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).

It is the country’s largest youth employment programme to date.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his weekly letter on Monday, celebrated this effort as a beacon of hope in addressing the country’s problem of mass youth unemployment.

He described the day as a “first day of school” for these young adults, not as learners, but as contributors to the nation’s education system.

“These young people will leave the school environment having shown up, contributed and made a difference. They will have worked in high-pressure environments with limited resources and will understand deadlines and responsibility. These young people are showing us what they are capable of. It is up to all of us in society to give them the opportunities they need to thrive,” Ramaphosa said.

Launched as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus, this phase represents a renewed commitment to uplifting communities and supporting basic education through job creation.

Following a one-year pause, the initiative has returned with vigour, targeting unemployed youth aged 18–34 and offering them meaningful roles in schools as education and general assistants.

The programme is implemented by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in collaboration with provincial education departments and the Employment and Labour Department. It receives funding through the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Labour Activation Programme and National Treasury.

The first four phases created over 1.1 million job opportunities between 2020 and 2023.

With over 204,000 job opportunities created across all nine provinces, the BEEI not only addresses youth unemployment but strengthens the education sector by easing the administrative and academic burden on teachers.

Participants will receive monthly stipends of R4000 plus a R30 data allowance for the six-month contract, which ends in November 2025.

The programme focuses on equipping participants with both soft and technical skills relevant to the world of work. These include time and task management, communication, ICT, administration, teamwork and professionalism.

Participants also receive structured training and orientation to prepare them for inclusive education environments, particularly in supporting learners with disabilities.

Youth employed under BEEI Phase V are placed into two main categories.

Education assistants, which include curriculum assistants, will support classroom activities and help teachers prepare lessons, especially in maths, science and technology.

“Reading champions” will promote literacy and reading culture, ICT or “e-Cadres” will facilitate the integration of digital tools in teaching, lab and workshop assistants to help with technical subjects, and care and support assistants will provide basic psychosocial support to vulnerable learners.

Secondly, general school assistants, including handypersons, will carry out essential maintenance such as repairs and gardening, and sports and enrichment assistants will help with arts, culture and physical education programmes to energise school communities.

All roles are designed to offer valuable work experience while directly enhancing learning environments for pupils.

The initiative is guided by principles of equity and local inclusion, with schools encouraged to hire youth from their immediate communities to reduce transport costs and increase local participation.

Special attention was given to young people with disabilities and had to be a gender balance in the recruitment.

The popularity of the initiative remains overwhelming.

By 23 April, more than 1.1 million applications were submitted through the SAYouth.mobi platform.

Applicants could apply for multiple roles, resulting in approximately 25 applications per post on average.

Shortlisting and interviews took place between 19 and 31 May, with candidates who were not contacted by 1 June advised to consider their applications unsuccessful.

KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng lead with the highest number of placements, receiving 45,658 and 36,186 posts respectively.

Eastern Cape and Limpopo followed with 28,709 and 27,366 each.

Western Cape was allocated 19,329 posts, Mpumalanga 17,495, North West 13,687, and Free State 11,408.

The Northern Cape has the smallest allocation with just under 5000 posts.

The department is working with the Industrial Development Corporation to manage stipends and coordinate exit pathways that include further education, employment placement and entrepreneurship.

Participants will be supported through targeted training, mentorship and partnerships with NGOs and skills development organisations.

While this milestone is a cause for celebration, Ramaphosa acknowledged that much work remains and that youth unemployment in South Africa was a structural crisis.

According to Stats SA, the unemployment rate between people aged between 15 to 34 is 45.5%.

Initiatives like BEEI are part of a broader response to address systemic inequalities and build a more inclusive economy.

The department has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all participants throughout their contract and beyond, vowing to ensure that these job opportunities translate into long-term benefits for South Africa’s youth and for its education system as a whole.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has confirmed that it is actively working with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to terminate its current head office lease agreement, which costs R2.5 million per month.

This decision comes after Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education scrutinised NSFAS’ choice to spend such a substantial amount on rent.

In a statement, NSFAS said it supported the SIU’s legal action to cancel the lease and would abide by any court ruling.

It said the move formed part of its broader effort to overhaul its operations amid mounting scrutiny over governance and expenditure.

“The scheme supports the SIU’s approach to cancel the lease and will comply with any court decision on the matter,” the statement read.

Although an application to set aside the lease was due by 30 April, the submission was delayed due to “judicial availability”, according to NSFAS. However, it was working closely with the SIU to expedite the process.

The lease, which includes R18.6 million in parking bay costs over five years, was signed before the appointment of the current board. 

NSFAS said that the current leadership was committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards wastage, fraud and corruption, and that it was implementing a turnaround strategy centered on transparency and fiscal discipline.

It was also preparing for a possible immediate exit from its current offices, with contingency plans being developed to minimise disruptions.

The relocation is part of NSFAS’s regionalisation strategy aimed at boosting operational efficiency and improving service delivery.

The lease agreement for NSFAS’s Cape Town head office came under scrutiny when reports emerged that it was paying nearly R2 million per month for office space, a significant increase from the R603,000 monthly rent at its previous premises in Wynberg. 

Concerns were raised about the procurement process and the necessity of such an expensive lease, especially given that many offices in the new building reportedly remained unused.

In response to these concerns, Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane agreed that the scheme could not spend that much on rent.

“The plan is to decentralise. We are going to establish regional offices in three provinces, which are the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. We will see how best we can come up with satellite offices in other provinces,” Nkabane said at the time.

The SIU’s involvement stems from a broader investigation into NSFAS’s financial management.

The investigations have revealed systemic issues within the scheme, including inadequate financial controls and a lack of proper reconciliation processes leading to overpayments and underpayments to institutions and students.

Despite the controversy, it reiterated its commitment to good governance and responsible management.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Andrew Forbes and Patience Mthunzi-Kufa

Light is all around us, essential for one of our primary senses (sight) as well as life on Earth itself. It underpins many technologies that affect our daily lives, including energy harvesting with solar cells, light-emitting-diode (LED) displays and telecommunications through fibre optic networks.

The smartphone is a great example of the power of light. Inside the box, its electronic functionality works because of quantum mechanics. The front screen is an entirely photonic device: liquid crystals controlling light. The back too: white light-emitting diodes for a flash, and lenses to capture images.

We use the word photonics, and sometimes optics, to capture the harnessing of light for new applications and technologies. Their importance in modern life is celebrated every year on 16 May with the International Day of Light.

Scientists on the African continent, despite the resource constraints they work under, have made notable contributions to photonics research. Some of these have been captured in a recent special issue of the journal Applied Optics. Along with colleagues in this field from Morocco and Senegal, we introduced this collection of papers, which aims to celebrate excellence and show the impact of studies that address continental issues.

A spotlight on photonics in Africa

Africa’s history in formal optics stems back thousands of years, with references to lens design already recorded in ancient Egyptian writings.

In more recent times, Africa has contributed to two Nobel prizes based on optics. Ahmed Zewail (Egyptian born) watched the ultrafast processes in chemistry with lasers (1999, Nobel Prize for Chemistry) and Serge Harouche (Moroccan born) studied the behaviour of individual particles of light, photons (2012, Nobel Prize for Physics).

Unfortunately, the African optics story is one of pockets of excellence. The highlights are as good as anywhere else, but there are too few of them to put the continent on the global optics map. According to a 2020 calculation done for me by the Optical Society of America, based on their journals, Africa contributes less than 1% to worldwide journal publications with optics or photonics as a theme.

Yet there are great opportunities for meeting continental challenges using optics. Examples of areas where Africans can innovate are:

bridging the digital divide with modern communications infrastructure

optical imaging and spectroscopy for improvements in agriculture and monitoring climate changes

harnessing the sun with optical materials for clean energy

bio-photonics to solve health issues

quantum technologies for novel forms of communicating, sensing, imaging and computing.

The papers in the special journal issue touch on a diversity of continent-relevant topics.

One is on using optics to communicate across free-space (air) even in bad weather conditions. This light-based solution was tested using weather data from two African cities, Alexandria in Egypt and Setif in Algeria.

Another paper is about tiny quantum sources of quantum entanglement for sensing. The authors used diamond, a gem found in South Africa and more commonly associated with jewellery. Diamond has many flaws, one of which can produce single photons as an output when excited. The single photon output was split into two paths, as if the particle went both left and right at the same time. This is the quirky notion of entanglement, in this case, created with diamonds. If an object is placed in any one path, the entanglement can detect it. Strangely, sometimes the photons take the left-path but the object is in the right-path, yet still it can be detected.

One contributor proposes a cost-effective method to detect and classify harmful bacteria in water.

New approaches in spectroscopy (studying colour) for detecting cell health; biosensors to monitor salt and glucose levels in blood; and optical tools for food security all play their part in optical applications on the continent.

Another area of African optics research that has important applications is the use of optical fibres for sensing the quality of soil and its structural integrity. Optical fibres are usually associated with communication, but a modern trend is to use the existing optical fibre already laid to sense for small changes in the environment, for instance, as early warning systems for earthquakes. The research shows that conventional fibre can also be used to tell if soil is degrading, either from lack of moisture or some physical shift in structure (weakness or movement). It is an immediately useful tool for agriculture, building on many decades of research.

The diverse range of topics in the collection shows how creative researchers on the continent are in using limited resources for maximum impact. The high orientation towards applications is probably also a sign that African governments want their scientists to work on solutions to real problems rather than purely academic questions. A case in point is South Africa, which has a funded national strategy (SA QuTI) to turn quantum science into quantum technology and train the workforce for a new economy.

Towards a brighter future

For young science students wishing to enter the field, the opportunities are endless. While photonics has no discipline boundaries, most students enter through the fields of physics, engineering, chemistry or the life sciences. Its power lies in the combination of skills, blending theoretical, computational and experimental, that are brought to bear on problems. At a typical photonics conference there are likely to be many more industry participants than academics. That’s a testament to its universal impact in new technologies, and the employment opportunities for students.

The last century was based on electronics and controlling electrons. This century will be dominated by photonics, controlling photons.

Andrew Forbes is a Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand and Patience Mthunzi-Kufa is a Distinguished Professor at the University of South Africa.

INSIDE POLITICS

By Johnathan Paoli

Hundreds of children marched through the streets of Johannesburg to mark International Children’s Day, demanding safer communities and a more responsive justice system.

The march, organised by the Gauteng Social Development Department in partnership with the Teddy Bear Foundation, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and Childline South Africa, culminated in a memorandum handover at the Constitutional Court.

“Instead of celebrating today, we are calling for urgent intervention. Many children live in abusive environments and face secondary trauma through repeated court postponements and lack of protection mechanisms,” social development MEC Faith Mazibuko said.

Held under the theme “Social Injustice Against Children Must Stop!!! Let us Make Gauteng Safe for Our Children”, the event formed part of South Africa’s broader Child Protection Week campaign.

Children gathered at Pieter Roos Park in Parktown before proceeding to the Constitutional Court to voice their concerns directly to Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Gauteng social development MEC Faith Mazibuko.

The memorandum highlighted the long delays in justice for abused children, unsafe living conditions, and insufficient mental health support for young survivors.

Mazibuko emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between police, forensic labs and the judiciary to fast-track justice for children.

She urged Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to expedite DNA testing, support child-friendly courtrooms and release the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) to prevent pedophiles from working in childcare facilities.

“Without access to the register, we risk hiring predators unknowingly in centres for young childcare and schools,” she said.

Minister Kubayi, meanwhile, addressing a parallel Child Protection Week event in Mabopane, reaffirmed her department’s commitment to child safety.

“We are reviewing laws to enable public access to the NRSO as a deterrent to would-be offenders. No convicted offender should be near a child again,” she said.

The Justice and Constitutional Development Department held a session with Sunday School children at the Zion Christian Church branch, teaching them about their rights and encouraging them to report abuse.

The 2025 Child Protection Week is commemorated under the national theme: “Working Together to End Violence Against Children”.

The department is running ongoing education programmes targeting learners, teachers and guardians to raise awareness of children’s rights and responsibilities.

The issue of child protection sparked a spectrum of political and civil responses.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) released a strong statement urging decisive action to end violence against children.

Citing Statistics South Africa, the EFF revealed that children under 15 make up nearly half of shelter populations and that every five hours a child goes missing in South Africa.

“In the past six years alone, over 100,000 children have been raped. No child must live or die in fear,” the party maintained.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng social development MEC Refiloe Nt’sekhe expressed cautious support for the march.

While she welcomed general awareness efforts, she raised ethical concerns about exposing child victims to the media.

“If children are just marching to raise awareness without being named or portrayed as victims, I support it,” she said. “But parading individual victims infringes on their rights and dignity.”

Nt’sekhe previously criticised the Social Development Department for funding failures.

She revealed that funding for NPOs providing essential services to vulnerable children had sharply declined, from 2,856 funded in 2021/22 to just 1,328 in 2024/25.

She accused the department of returning over R650 million to the Treasury over two years, despite growing need.

“The department returned R554 million in 2023/24, and another R102 million is expected to be returned this year. This, while shelters and feeding schemes face closure,” Nt’sekhe said.

She condemned the department’s “double standards,” revealing that 171 Gauteng NPOs were defunded for municipal non-compliance, yet state-run facilities operating without the same requirements continued to receive support.

“We don’t oppose compliance, but if NPOs must meet strict standards, so should state facilities,” she said.

Despite the political back-and-forth, the children’s message was simple and clear: they want to live in a safer, more just country.

Organisers stressed the importance of preserving children’s privacy, with media being strictly prohibited from photographing or distributing images of children’s faces, in line with child protection protocols.

The march ended with hope and urgency.

“Children have spoken, now it’s our turn to act, not tomorrow, but today,” Mazibuko said.

INSIDE POLITICS

By Johnathan Paoli

Centennial Schools CEO and founder Shaun Fuchs has advocated for reimagining South Africa’s education system as a catalyst for unity rather than division.

For Fuchs, creating inclusive classrooms is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity in a society still grappling with the legacy of apartheid and persistent systemic inequalities.

“We need to re-imagine schools as inclusive environments where all learners feel seen, respected and empowered. Inclusion is not a ‘nice to have’, it is essential for building a better South Africa,” Fuchs says.

South Africa’s classrooms, much like the country itself, are vibrant reflections of its social fabric, rich with different cultures, languages, and histories.

This diversity, though a significant national strength, also demands a deliberate effort to foster inclusion, equality and respect in every learning environment.

The Constitution recognises 12 official languages and over 50 cultural groups, making the country one of the most diverse nations in the world.

Yet, despite the legal and symbolic embrace of diversity, many school environments still struggle to reflect this reality in meaningful ways.

Fuchs argues that diversity in education should not be reduced to symbolic gestures or annual observances.

“Inclusion should be embedded in the curriculum, evident in school leadership and lived out in the school’s daily culture,” he says.

This view is supported by international research.

Studies from Unesco and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development have shown that inclusive education enhances academic performance, improves emotional wellbeing and fosters social cohesion.

When students see their languages, cultures and lived experiences reflected in the classroom, they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging—an essential ingredient for learning.

“It’s not just about who is in the classroom. It’s about who is being seen and heard,” Fuchs says.

He warns against treating diversity as mere representation in textbooks or posters.

“True inclusion requires creating safe spaces where difficult conversations can happen. It means addressing stereotypes, fostering mutual understanding and building emotional intelligence,” he explains.

In practice, this involves equipping students with the tools to challenge bias, question assumptions and engage critically with social issues.

“Inclusion does not mean pretending that differences don’t exist, it means embracing those differences and learning from them,” the CEO maintains.

To achieve this, Fuchs claims schools must also re-evaluate how they teach.

South Africa’s traditional schooling model has remained largely unchanged since before 1994, often failing to prepare students for the complexities of the modern world.

Fuchs believes that education must be more participatory, empowering learners to shape their educational experiences as active stakeholders.

From incorporating inclusive language in learning materials to inviting diverse guest speakers and fostering open cultural dialogue, the CEO says his schools make deliberate efforts to normalise diversity in everyday learning.

“We are not preparing students to succeed in a vacuum. We are preparing them to thrive in workplaces, communities and a world where empathy, respect and collaboration matter more than ever,” Fuchs said.

This approach not only supports academic success but also cultivates social responsibility and emotional intelligence among learners.

Ultimately, inclusion in education is deeply tied to identity, according to the CEO.

He highlights the importance of helping young people understand who they are and equipping them to respect and engage with others whose identities may differ from their own.

Fuchs believes that when schools embrace this mission, they help build not only stronger students but a more unified and compassionate nation.

“The real goal of education is not just to pass exams, but to build the kind of society that grows from its cultural richness rather than being divided by it,” he said.

Fuchs points out that in a country still on its path toward healing and equity, inclusive education is not just about the classroom, but about the future of South Africa itself.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has insisted that the appointment process of chairpersons of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) was “beyond reproach”.

Addressing the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Friday, Nkabane firmly defended the integrity of the process. 

“There is nothing illegal about it. There are no flaws. There is no breach of any legislative imperative. Everything was followed, and the process was beyond reproach,” she said.

The minister said the appointments that were withdrawn earlier in May had been made based on merit, guided by legislation and informed by the Skills Development Act, the Bill of Rights and recommendations from the National Skills Authority (NSA).

She reiterated that said the decision to reverse the appointments of politically connected individuals was not due to any wrongdoing in the process, but rather in response to a public outcry.

“I understand I’m here, voted in this Parliament by the people of this country. I have a responsibility to listen to them,” Nkabane said.

“After seeing those trends on social media, I took it upon myself as a responsible citizen to say, let me listen.”

However, committee members challenged this position. They questioned how the minister could describe the process as flawless while simultaneously withdrawing the appointments. 

“The meaning of ‘beyond reproach’, my interpretation is quite different, because you never, in your withdrawal, defended the process itself,” one member said.

“What you are saying to us [now] is that the process was followed… why are you making that comment now?”

In response, Nkabane said: “If you read the statement, there was no way I said that the process was flawed. I even indicated how many people had PhDs, how many had masters. But it was based on human grounds, responding to the outcry of our citizens.”

Throughout the exchange, several MPs expressed unease with the contradiction between the minister’s assertions and her actions. 

They pushed for clarity on why a process that she claimed was legally and procedurally sound could nonetheless result in such a sweeping reversal. Despite the criticism, Nkabane maintained her stance. 

“The panel recommended highly qualified candidates, and I was happy to see and to share with the portfolio committee their profiles. There is nothing wrong with those appointments,” she said. 

“They were withdrawn only in response to public concern, not because of any procedural flaw.”

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

The Basic Education Department in conjunction with corporate partners AVBOB and Oxford University Press South Africa (OUPSA) officially launched the 2025 Road to Literacy campaign, which is one of the country’s most ambitious mobile library initiatives.

The aim is to improve early-grade literacy and equitable access to reading resources.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube emphasised said it was critical to be able to read for meaning.

“Eight out of ten children in South Africa cannot read for meaning by the age of ten. This is our Achilles’ heel. If our children cannot read, they cannot learn. If they cannot learn, they cannot rise,” she said.

The event marked the announcement of 1000 school and NGO beneficiaries set to receive fully stocked mobile trolley libraries, each valued at R57,000 and filled with 500 curriculum-aligned books in all the official languages.

Now in its fourth year, the campaign has rapidly expanded its impact, with the rollout expected to distribute over 500,000 books nationally, doubling last year’s reach and bringing the total investment for this cycle alone to R57 million.

Opening the event, Tokyo Sexwale Primary School learner Jamila Mbedzi captured hearts with a reading performance that highlighted the transformative power of books.

Her confidence on stage served as a living testament to what access to literature can achieve.

This was followed by a stirring choir performance by learners from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls and a panel discussion, moderated by Bongani Bingwa on the socio-economic barriers confronting learners in under-resourced communities.

The urgency behind the campaign stems from grim statistics.

During the panel discussion, Gwarube reiterated the importance of foundational learning, noting that the department’s focus has shifted to the earliest years, from birth to Grade 3, where long-term academic trajectories are forged.

“This challenge is not just about reading. It’s about confidence, self-worth and access to opportunity,” she said.

A strong theme running through the evening was the value of mother tongue instruction.

The minister maintained that research consistently illustrated that literacy in a home language during the early years enhanced cognitive development and sets the stage for multilingual proficiency.

OUPSA managing director Karen Simpson acknowledged the production challenges involved but stressed their importance.

“Publishing in all official languages is not just a technical task, it’s a moral imperative. Children need to see themselves in the stories they read. It’s about delivering the right book at the right time, in the right language,” she said.

AVBOB CEO Carl van der Riet underlined the mutual society’s commitment to education.

“As a 100-year-old institution, we understand that literacy is the bedrock of a thriving nation. This campaign is about more than books, it’s about equipping communities with the tools to grow, learn and lead,” he said.

Van der Riet noted the campaign’s evolution since 2022, highlighting the overwhelming demand from schools and community organisations. With more than 8000 applications received in a single year, he said “the hunger for reading is real, and our work is only just beginning”.

Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls executive director Gugulethu Ndebele brought an educator’s perspective to the dialogue.

“Too many of our children come to school already in survival mode. When a child is given a book that reflects their language and their world, it tells them they matter,” Ndebele said.

She called for intensified investment in early childhood development and teacher training, stressing that these interventions were essential to correcting systemic imbalances.

“You cannot fix Grade 12 results by starting in Grade 10. You have to start in Grade R or better yet, before that,” she said.

The event underscored the importance of collaboration among government, civil society and the private sector in tackling South Africa’s literacy crisis.

Gwarube praised AVBOB and Oxford for going beyond corporate social responsibility.

“This is a model of what effective public-private partnerships look like. We will work with anyone, so long as the outcome is real change for our learners,” she said.

“Campaigns like AVBOB’s, put more than just books in the hands of our children; they place transformation in the hearts of our communities.”

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane faced fierce scrutiny in Parliament this week over the controversial appointments to Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and other critical issues plaguing the higher education sector.

At the heart of the heated exchanges was the recent withdrawal of a list of SETA board chairpersons after public backlash over the appointments of politically connected individuals, including the son of ANC national chairperson and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe.

While defending the integrity of the initial process, Nkabane insisted that it was lawful and merit based. 

“The Constitution… guarantees several fundamental freedoms,” she said, referencing Chapter Two of the Bill of Rights. “The Skills Development Act contains no provisions excluding or favouring candidates based on political beliefs.”

She reiterated that the process had yielded highly qualified candidates including three PhDs and 15 individuals with master’s degrees and that it was managed by an independent panel. 

The minister explained that the decision to restart the appointment process was not due to any legal fault. The appointments were withdrawn in response to the public outcry.

“We are a responsible government. The public felt the list was politically bloated. That’s why we said we need to recalibrate the process and reopen it,” Nkabane said. “It was not because there was any flaw in the process or legislation that we contravened.”

Opposition MPs accused the minister of misleading the public. 

“You withdrew the names because you saw that the people of South Africa don’t want ANC comrades there,” said EFF MP Sihle Lonzi, who also questioned the reappointment of Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority CEO Ayanda Mafuleka, who was placed under precautionary suspension in December. 

“Why would you appoint someone who was suspended as an accounting authority?”

Nkabane defended the move, citing the Public Finance Management Act. 

“There was no consultation [regarding the suspension], which then nullifies the dismissal,” she said. “We followed due legislative process.”

Turning to the technical and vocational education sector, Nkabane acknowledged that 12 principal positions at TVET colleges remained vacant, blaming regulatory delays. 

“For us to be in a position to advertise any vacancies, we need to comply with regulations. We need to get concurrence firstly from DPSA (Department of Public Service and Administration),” she told Parliament.

In the interim, acting principals have been appointed to stabilise institutions, supported by campus and regional managers. 

“There is no stability in some of our TVET colleges… so we have decided to appoint acting principals just to try and close that gap,” the minister said.

She said TVET colleges were important because they were a driver of inclusive economic development.

However, the issue of alleged misconduct in key appointments also surfaced.

MPs demanded to know whether any action had been taken against the department’s director-general, Nkosinathi Sishi, for allegedly appointing a friend to a senior regional role in KwaZulu-Natal.

“The regional manager has since resigned,” Nkabane said. “I have asked the DG for a detailed representation. But I cannot suspend someone without following due process.”

She also outlined long-term efforts to develop leadership capacity within the sector, including partnerships with the Education, Training and Development SETA, the University of Pretoria and international institutions like GIZ in Germany and counterparts in China. 

“We are learning from the best… building capacity within our lecturers, senior management and all our employees,” she said.

Nkabane also faced sharp criticism over National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) mismanagement. 

MPs raised alarm over faulty Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, students misclassified as ineligible and ongoing delays in disbursements. The minister conceded that the system was flawed.

“We acknowledge the gaps… Our ICT infrastructure is not effective and efficient. There is misalignment of data between institutions and our NDT (National Data Terminal),” she said.

She revealed that over 130 students at Westcol TVET College in Carletonville had not received funding and said appeals were ongoing.

“All appeals for the 2025 academic year are being assessed and funding statuses are being updated.”

A comprehensive digital overhaul is underway. 

“We are implementing a digital transformation strategy… to ensure that our systems are interlinked and integrated with institutions of higher learning, with Home Affairs, with SARS (SA Revenue Service) and with SASSA (SA Social Security Agency)… to avoid delays in determining NSFAS eligibility,” she stated.

The minister also confirmed that the Special Investigating Unit was pursuing the recovery of R5.1 billion that was wrongly allocated to over 40,000 students at 76 institutions. 

“It is in the hands of law enforcement. We don’t have a direct role in that recovery,” she said.

MPs raised the plight of students living in NSFAS-accredited accommodation in Polokwane. 

“They now have to make students cook on dry stands since they can no longer afford electricity due to a non-payment by NSFAS for six months.”

They further alleged that accommodation providers were being forced to pay a portion of their fees to “middlemen”. Nkabane acknowledged the failures in the accreditation process.

“We have centralised student accommodation in the office of the CEO and are building capacity to properly assess providers,” she said. “We must provide accommodation that is conducive to both living and learning.”

Parliament descended into repeated disorder as members argued over the minister’s responses. MPs shouted that questions were not being properly answered. However, Nkabane remained resolute.

“We are going to stick to the legislation that empowers the minister. But we are also going to address the public’s concerns. I do not envisage any further public outcry,” she said referring to the re-opened SETA appointment process.

The deadline for nominations of the new board chairs is 12 June.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lungile Ntimba

Mpumalanga premier Mandla Ndlovu has confirmed the suspension of provincial education HOD Lucy Moyane following a forensic investigation, which uncovered serious procurement irregularities linked to a R2 million laptop deal.

This decision was discussed during a provincial executive council meeting on Wednesday in Mbombela.

It was also revealed that Godfrey Ntombela, the HOD for the culture, sport and recreation department, was suspended following a separate investigation by the Special Investigating Unit concerning irregular Covid-19 procurement processes.

The premier’s spokesperson, George Mthethwa, said on Thursday that both suspensions were based on the recommendations of their respective investigation reports and would remain in effect until the cases were finalised.

Acting heads have been appointed in the interim to ensure there is no disruption in service delivery.

Pushed for more details, he told Inside Education that a comprehensive report detailing the implementation of the recommendations on the laptop probe would be released by the end of June.

According to the investigation, eight officials from the education department allegedly misrepresented procurement processes, manipulated specifications and approved the delivery of laptops that did not meet the agreed requirements.

In December last year, the department spent R2 million on a printer and 22 office laptops, with each costing R91,482.50.

Market comparison revealed that the laptops had a market value as low as R59,200, indicating gross overpayment and possible fraud.

Earlier this month, Ndlovu told reporters at a media briefing that all implicated officials would face charges under the Public Service Act, Public Service Regulations, the Public Finance Management Act and other applicable statutes.

He said the supplier would be blacklisted on the national and provincial Treasury registers for tender defaulters, and the matter would be reported to State Information Technology Agency for further action. 

INSIDE EDUCATION