By Thebe Mabanga

Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela is set to appoint the boards of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) this week, with board chairpersons set to be installed during October.

Manamela confirmed this with Inside Education on the sidelines of the Mandela Sobukwe Leadership Camp, held at the University of Johannesburg Island at the Vaal last week.

“We are finalising the appointment of the Accounting Authorities, those are going through vetting, upon conclusion of the vetting they will be informed and those for whom vetting has been concluded can begin their work,” Manamela said, adding that the process will begin as early as this week.

The process of appointing SETA board chairs was derailed and ultimately accounted for Manamela’s predecessor, Nobuhle Nkabane, being removed from her post due to a public outcry over the process followed and the identity of some of the board chairs.

Manamela said that the process is now back on track.

“We can confirm that the Minister is appointing Accounting Authorities that have been vetted this week. The [Board] chairpersons will take longer, and the Ministry will communicate in due time,” said Matshepo Seedat, Manamela’s spokesperson.  

Manamela acknowledged that there is a need to change the way SETAs are run. “I think there is national consensus that SETAS, the way in which they are structured, the way in which they are governed, and the way in which they provide services, requires some level of reform.”

He said that the conversation about that will have to be held within various parts of government as well as with stakeholders such as labour, industry and training institutions.

The five-year term of the previous boards expired in March this year. In May, the National Treasury gave Nkabane permission to allow CEOs to act as Accounting Authorities for a period of three months or until new boards are appointed. That three-month period expired at the end of August.

The incoming boards have a litany of challenges to address across the various SETAs. Three of the SETAS are under administration. Asked if more are likely to be taken this route, Manamela said “I don’t know”.

The first order of business for the boards is to appoint new CEOs or renew the contracts of incumbent CEOs as their five-year terms ended in September. Thereafter, the boards must instil a culture of excellence to improve performance.

SETAS such as the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) have obtained clean audits and achieved 100% of their goals.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Inside Education Reporter

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has urged stronger youth participation in legislatures and international decision-making platforms, saying young leaders are central to building inclusive and sustainable societies.

Didiza was addressing the P20 Young Parliamentarians Forum in Cape Town under the theme “Young Parliamentarians as Drivers of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” The meeting precedes the 11th Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20), which will take place from 1 to 3 October.

Welcoming delegates from around the world, Didiza said young people were a vital force in shaping the future. “Young people are a powerhouse in exploring solutions to the problems of the modern world. Their perspectives, energy and inventive ideas are critical in helping us find original solutions needed for today’s challenges,” she said.

Despite progress in some areas, youth remain under-represented in global legislatures. Didiza cited Inter-Parliamentary Union figures showing only 2.8% of the world’s parliamentarians are under 30, while nearly three-quarters of upper houses have no members in that age group.

South Africa, she said, has encouraged youth participation through political party processes and activism, ensuring their voices are heard.

Didiza urged parliaments to use their oversight powers to advance policies supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, decent work and technology access. She also called for responsible regulation of artificial intelligence.

“As we promote societies founded on democracy and respect for human rights, we must be conscious that young people are often the most affected by the decisions we make today. It is no longer acceptable to take decisions without their voices,” she said.

Solidarity and international cooperation, she added, were vital to tackling shared global challenges such as inequality, climate change and geopolitical tensions.

“The actions and decisions we take today must ensure that young people, particularly in the Global South, gain meaningful access to economic opportunities and play a central role in shaping a just and sustainable future,” Didiza said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Sarah Schafer and Sarah Marriott

The University of Cape Town (UCT) recently joined the World Data System (WDS), reinforcing its commitment to advancing open science, data accessibility and research excellence on a global scale.

The WDS is an affiliated body of the International Science Council (ISC) that aims to enhance the capabilities, impact and sustainability of its member data repositories and services.

For UCT eResearch, membership in the WDS aligns closely with its vision of fostering open science and supporting global research collaboration.

Reinforced leadership in data stewardship

Membership in WDS means joining a trusted international community dedicated to strengthening the scientific enterprise across the entire data lifecycle. It ensures that UCT’s data repositories uphold rigorous international standards of trust, sustainability and interoperability – enhancing the visibility and impact of its researchers’ work worldwide.

The significance of this milestone was highlighted by Professor Mattia Vaccari, Director of eResearch at UCT: “Becoming a member of the World Data System underlines UCT’s dedication to creating high quality and accessible data infrastructure that supports our researchers in producing impactful, reproducible science.

“Membership strengthens our ability to collaborate internationally, reinforcing our leadership in responsible data stewardship.”

Professor Vaccari said this includes creating first-class, quality-assured data that feeds first-class research outputs. “It is about advocating for accessible, transparent, impactful and reproducible science.”

Professor Jeff Murugan, UCT’s acting deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Internationalisation, emphasised the strategic importance of WDS membership for the university. “This is a key step in our broader commitment to open science and global research excellence. It not only advances our digital identity but also ensures our research outputs are connected and recognised within the worldwide scientific ecosystem.”

Earlier this year, UCT officially joined DataCite, a global non-profit organisation dedicated to providing persistent digital object identifiers (DOIs) for research data.

This move empowers UCT researchers to establish a stronger digital identity, ensuring their contributions receive the recognition they deserve in academic and public domains. With the new WDS affiliation, UCT now joins a worldwide community devoted to the provision of quality assured data and data services.

Membership entails the university’s participation in a trusted network that supports data repositories in enhancing data discoverability, reliability and accessibility, fostering an environment conducive to collaboration.

Advancement of Open Science and reproducibility

UCT’s engagement with the WDS builds on its existing achievements such as the CoreTrustSeal certification awarded earlier this year to the institutional repository ZivaHub: Open Data UCT.

Hosted by UCT Libraries, the ZivaHub platform publishes UCT research data and scholarly outputs.

“UCT Libraries’ continued support to the university is now bolstered by membership of WDS,” said Nikki Crowster, director of Information Systems and Resources.

“It reinforces our commitment to the ongoing advocacy for FAIR (findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability) data principles and Open Scholarship.”

A core principle of WDS is to improve and facilitate access to research data, supporting the open data movement and making data available to researchers and the public.

As a trustworthy repository, ZivaHub sets high standards in research data management and accessibility. ZivaHub has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa, and was a recent finalist in the ‘Data for Research’ category at the NSTF-South32 2024/2025 Awards.

Overall, being part of the World Data System means that UCT will continue to champion accessible data, sustainable data management practices, and global collaboration, ensuring that its research data infrastructure supports the university’s position as a leader in research excellence and innovation.

UCTNEWS

By Johnathan Paoli

The country’s summer sports calendar burst into life this past weekend, with school teams and touring visitors producing a series of contests that combined drama, grit, and fine individual performances.

From nail-biting water polo finals in Hilton and Durban to a commanding cricket display in Cape Town, the weekend’s events underlined the strength of youth sport in the country.

At the St Anne’s Diocesan College Water Polo Tournament in Hilton, former head coach Megan Sileno made a victorious return, this time at the helm of Johannesburg powerhouse St Stithians.

Reflecting on the success of the event, St Anne’s head coach Cameron Wiid praised the high standard of play.

“With all top medal matches and even the 5th/6th playoff going to penalties, it’s clear that the level of women’s water polo in South Africa is on the rise,” he said.

In a dramatic final on Sunday, Saints edged out Roedean 7–6 in a penalty shootout after the teams were locked at 4–4 in regulation time.

The run for the title included an 8–6 quarterfinal victory over Durban Girls’ College, winners of both the KZN Top 10 and Mackenzie Cup tournaments, and a semi-final triumph over Herschel Girls, also decided on penalties.

On the other side of the draw, Roedean ended hosts St Anne’s unbeaten run with an 8–6 semi-final win. In the bronze medal playoff, Herschel defeated St Anne’s 7–6 on penalties after a 5–5 stalemate.

Tournament honours were shared, with St Stithians’ Isabella Imbriolo earning Defender of the Tournament, while Danielle Sassenberg was named Most Valuable Player.

Wiid said that hosting 16 of the country’s top U19 teams created a unique competitive atmosphere, further elevated by the calibre of match officials, several of whom had officiated at World Championships and Olympic Games.

While the girls battled it out in Hilton, the Clifton Aquatic Centre in Durban hosted the prestigious boys’ tournament, where Hilton College lifted the title after a 10–8 victory over St John’s College.

Guided by coach Paul Martin, who spent a decade leading Clifton’s programme, Hilton impressed with their sharp attacking responses and defensive strategy.

The standout was striker Tristan Uys, who netted five goals, before being red-carded midway through the game.

Mitchel Garreau stepped up late, scoring twice from penalties to keep Hilton in front, while goalkeepers Trent Chubb and Garrick Phillips made critical stops in a tense finish.

Clifton College claimed third place with a 9–7 win over Kearsney College, while South African College Schools took fifth after a comfortable 9–3 win over Selborne.

Further down, Michaelhouse ended seventh, Durban High School ninth, and Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool 11th, while King Edward VI avoided a winless campaign with a 17–3 rout of Grey College in the 15th place playoff.

If water polo offered tension and fine margins, Wynberg Boys’ High School delivered dominance on the cricket field at its Jacques Kallis Oval.

Hosting New Zealand visitors Palmerston North, the Cape Town side powered to a 95-run victory in a 45-over clash.

Openers Matthew Saunders and Fawaaz Hendricks gave Wynberg a strong start with a 68-run stand, before Saunders went on to anchor the innings with a composed 81 off 115 balls, including seven fours and a six.

Supported by Michail Tarentaal’s quick-fire 36 and helped along by 38 extras conceded by the tourists, Wynberg posted 238/9.

Palmerston North’s Lucas Kempthorne impressed with the ball, taking 4/46, but his teammates struggled for accuracy, sending down 21 wides.

Chasing 239 runs, the visitors faltered, with only Sean Rowe (29) and Max Culleton (34 off 34 balls) offering resistance.

Wynberg’s Damien Harris tore through the lower order with figures of 4/15, while Jiyaad Abrahams and Luke Kleinsmith shared four wickets between them, bowling out Palmerston North for 143.

The victory was Wynberg’s second in as many days, following a 36-run win over Paarl Gimnasium on Saturday, underlining their fine early-season form.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

With over two million learners depending on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Education Department and the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations looming, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called for urgent collaboration between the national Basic Education Ministry and the provincial Education and Finance departments to address the escalating financial crisis in the province’s education sector.

Following an all-government meeting with KZN Premier Thami Ntuli and the provincial MECs for Education and Finance, the government emphasised the need for swift action, announcing the formation of a task team—chaired by the Premier—to seek solutions to severe budgetary pressures threatening school operations, the distribution of learning materials, and the upcoming NSC examinations.

“We have to resolve this; and get the department on its feet. It’s one of the provinces with the largest cohort of learners, educators and schools. Ultimately, we have to protect the system. Especially for those South Africans who don’t have an option to ‘opt out’ of what the government is meant to provide,” Gwarube said over social media.

The national delegation, which included Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule and Director-General Mathanzima Mweli, met with Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, and Finance MEC Francois Rodgers, alongside senior officials from both provincial and national departments.

The engagement was framed as an “all-of-government” response to address urgent financial challenges and develop a recovery plan to safeguard the province’s education system.

KwaZulu-Natal, home to over two million learners and tens of thousands of educators and non-teaching staff, faces a multi-layered budgetary strain.

Rising personnel costs, historic accruals, and unfunded mandates have compounded pressures across the system, with schools in Quintile 1 to 3 areas, serving the most vulnerable learners, particularly at risk.

While these challenges mirror a broader national trend, the scale of KwaZulu-Natal’s system magnifies the urgency for immediate intervention.

During the discussions, it was noted that there are no existing legal or financial instruments that permit the Basic Education department to directly inject funds into a provincial department.

While a Section 100 intervention under the Constitution could theoretically be deployed, all parties agreed that such an approach would be undesirable.

Instead, the Provincial Treasury will continue supporting the Education department through existing Section 18 mechanisms under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), complemented by technical guidance and resource reprioritisation advice from the national government.

The meeting prioritised four critical areas for immediate intervention: safeguarding school transfers, particularly for the poorest learners; protecting the delivery of Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM); ensuring a smooth and fair rollout of examinations; and securing scholar transport to maintain learner access in rural and underserved areas.

A premier-chaired rescue team will now coordinate recovery efforts in collaboration with the national department and the provincial treasury, driving implementation of a comprehensive financial recovery plan with speed and accountability.

Short-term measures agreed upon include releasing statutory allocations to schools to guarantee uninterrupted school nutrition, utilities, transport, and teaching services; clearing arrears owed to municipalities and service providers, including those involved in the National School Nutrition Programme; ring-fencing conditional grants for their intended purposes; and enforcing strict consequence management for officials responsible for financial mismanagement.

Longer-term measures will include payroll and post provisioning reform, verification of learners and employees to eliminate ghost posts, contract rationalisation to reduce inflated costs, and efficiency gains in procurement.

The provincial government has already advanced R900 million earlier this year to provide immediate relief, with further allocations to be secured through the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to ensure sustainability.

The province aims to achieve savings of up to R1 billion per year through these reforms, alongside improved oversight and operational efficiency.

Gwarube commended the provincial leadership for their candid engagement and shared commitment to stabilising the education system, while Ntuli reaffirmed that quality education remains KwaZulu-Natal’s highest priority.

INSIDE EDUCATION  

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, addressed university students at the Mandela-Sobukwe Leadership Bootcamp last Friday, marking the close of Heritage Month with a focus on youth leadership development at the University of Johannesburg’s Island Vaal Dam.

Speaking to Inside Education, Manamela said the camp seeks to inspire young people to recognise the roles Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe played, while engaging them on the challenges those leaders confronted.

He said that their skills, capacity, and traits should serve as building blocks for future leadership.

Launched in 2023, the Mandela-Sobukwe Leadership Camp has since become an annual event, commemorating Mandela’s 1990 release while equipping students to navigate and address pressing socio-economic challenges.

“We have this annually at Robben Island, and so because of the youths demand we decided that we’ll have pop-ups in the year, where we take students from different campuses, and it’s all conversations on leaderships, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and digital economy topics such as scenario planning,” said Manamela.

He noted that the boot camp goes beyond abstract leadership concepts, addressing the everyday challenges students face on campus. Sessions included discussions on tackling these issues and exploring the youth’s role in the broader post-school education and training sector.

Reflecting on Mandela’s principles, Manamela said he has met students who previously participated in programmes on Robben Island.

Some had been trained as members of Student Representative Councils (SRCs), while others were active in various political formations across the spectrum.

This, he added, helps plant the seed of leadership needed to shape South Africa’s future.

“It’s also about their interpretation of leadership in a different context and how that leadership has had an impact on things that happen,” he said.

He emphasised the dangers of disconnecting from history, cautioning that misperceptions—such as viewing Mandela as a sell-out or solely focusing on Sobukwe’s incarceration—can shape the youth’s future.

The challenges faced by these leaders are not entirely new; rather, it is how their roles and actions are understood that will influence young people today.

To turn ideas into action, Manamela urged youth to take responsibility for their initiatives.

He added that the department aims to foster agency, encouraging students to be resourceful citizens—not only on campuses but in contributing to a stronger nation.

Acknowledging unemployment as a pressing concern, the minister expressed his hope that the boot camp would inspire students to engage in research, innovation, and product development.

He stressed the importance of creating opportunities and jobs, rather than merely seeking them.

“Through the entrepreneurship sessions at this Camp, we hope to inspire student leaders and peer educators to embrace research, innovation, and product development, turning their ideas into realities. The goal is not only for them to seek jobs, but to create jobs. That is the vision we are driving forward through this initiative,” said Manamela.

“The Post-School Education and Training sector is designed to produce graduates who can meaningfully contribute to the economy, whether they come from Community Colleges, TVET Colleges, Universities, or are trained through SETAs. But beyond producing skilled graduates, our country needs leaders. These leadership sessions are about cultivating a new generation of leaders who can contribute in a context very different from the one in which Mandela and Sobukwe grew up.” 

INSIDE EDUCATION 

By Johnathan Paoli

The Gauteng Education department has moved to clarify confusion surrounding payment delays affecting service providers under the Extended National School Nutrition Programme, while also reaffirming its crackdown on illegally operating schools across the province.

Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona emphasised that meals for learners in no-fee-paying schools remain uninterrupted under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), which is funded through a national grant from the Basic Education department, but that the province’s demographics, changing socio-economic conditions and austerity consequences may affect the extended programme in statistically more privileged public schools.

“The rapid growth in the number of learners requiring nutrition support in Quintile 4 and 5 schools has placed significant pressure on provincial funding of the GDE Extended NSNP. This increase is directly linked to the rising socio-economic vulnerabilities faced by families who were previously self-sufficient. Compounding these pressures, budget reductions at the provincial level have created further strain on this essential programme,” Mabona said.

The province has in recent years introduced the Extended NSNP, a provincially funded scheme aimed at reaching disadvantaged learners in Quintile 4 and 5 fee-paying schools in light of shifting socio-economic conditions in Gauteng.

The department acknowledged that the rapid growth of the programme has placed pressure on provincial budgets, particularly as more families who were once self-sufficient now require state support.

Mabona said the department is working directly with affected providers to resolve the matter and remains committed to ensuring all outstanding payments are cleared and would continue to prioritise the daily provision of meals to learners and to support service providers so they can carry out their vital work.

He said the department is planning on reviewing its quintile system in order to introduce a more accurate and responsive categorisation of schools, recognising that the traditional distinction between fee-paying and no-fee-paying schools no longer fully reflects the financial circumstances of many families.

Alongside clarifying the nutrition programme, the department announced fresh action against illegally operating schools, warning parents and guardians about the risks of enrolling children in unregistered institutions.

Mabona said these schools operate outside the framework of the South African Schools Act and pose serious dangers to learners.

Learners at such schools are not captured in the Education Management Information System (EMIS), leaving them unfunded and without access to formal records.

Reports issued by unregistered schools are invalid, and teacher qualifications and learning standards are not subject to quality assurance.

For matric learners, the risks are even more severe with many being forced to write exams at designated centres and may not receive valid certification due to non-compliance, compromising their chances of entering tertiary institutions.

The department said its Independent Schools Directorate is actively working with communities, parents, and law enforcement agencies to close illegal schools and place affected learners in compliant public or registered independent schools.

Learners are also provided with remedial and catch-up programmes, while psychologists offer psychosocial support to help them adjust.

Over the past five years, about 1 200 learners have successfully transitioned from non-accredited institutions into recognised schools.

In addition to learner support, the department is pursuing legal action against owners of non-compliant schools.

Several cases have been opened with the South African Police Service in line with Section 46(4) of the South African Schools Act.

These include matters involving Boipuso School in Bloubosrand, Thakane School, Hope Fountain School, and Gateway Academy, all of which are currently before the courts.

To prevent the reopening of such schools, officials conduct routine monitoring of closed sites in partnership with ward councillors, community leaders, and law enforcement.

The department stressed its dual commitment to ensuring that every learner receives a nutritious daily meal and that all children are protected from exploitation by unregistered schools.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Akani Nkuna

Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba has urged the matric Class of 2025 learners in the Sekhukhune district to rise above challenges as they prepare for their final examinations, saying that making it to this stage of their academic journey is a testament to strength and perseverance.  

“Some of you may have faced challenges, financial struggles, and long distances to school, overcrowded classrooms, or personal difficulties at home. Yet here you are, standing tall, preparing for the final lap of your schooling journey,” she said.

Accompanied by Limpopo government officials, including the Education MEC, teachers, principals and community leaders, Ramathuba joined a Solidarity Walk with 1,000 learners in Ga-Nkwana to launch the official matric exam countdown campaign and boost student morale.

She said the walk served as both a symbol of unity and a declaration of collective effort by parents, government, teachers, and learners to ensure that disciplined action leads to a successful examination period.

She encouraged learners to view their upcoming exams as a defining moment that would shape the trajectory of their lives beyond high school, opening the door to exciting opportunities and rewarding careers.

Emphasising the importance of personal responsibility, the Premier reminded learners that while government has invested in providing the necessary resources for teaching and learning, it is ultimately up to them to seize the opportunity, apply themselves, and conquer the final stretch of their school journey.

She also appealed for academic honesty, saying: “Success earned through dishonesty is not true success.”

“Take care of yourselves. Study hard, but do not neglect your health. Rest well, eat well, and manage your time wisely. A healthy body and a calm mind will carry you to the finish line,” Ramathuba added.

The Premier urged the Class of 2025 to build on the achievements of the Class of 2024, which attained an 85.1% pass rate, encouraging them to surpass that milestone and position Limpopo among the top five provinces nationally for school performance.

INSIDE EDUCATION