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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 The appointments were withdrawn in response to the public outcry.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.
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