Deputies Keep Mum as SETA Appointment Storm Intensifies
Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s latest move—skipping a high-stakes parliamentary meeting—is rattling South Africa’s education and governance corridors, and her deputies remain conspicuously silent.
Friday’s portfolio committee session was convened to get clarity on the reversed appointments of several board chairpersons to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). These announcements, quickly revoked in May, have sparked concerns about political interference and nepotism. Although two panelists—Advocate Terry Motau and Chief Director Mabuza Ngubane—attended, the minister was absent, and both Deputy Ministers Buti Manamela and Mimmy Gondwe remained silent witnesses.
Minister Nkabane had submitted a last-minute apology, citing a gender-based violence awareness event at an Eastern Cape TVET college. Committee chair Tebogo Letsie flatly rejected her excuse, pointing out that deputy ministers could have represented her at the session (IOL). His rejection underscored Parliament’s position: scheduling cannot be dictated by ministerial convenience.
ANC MP Gaolatlhe Kgabo expressed the sentiment forcefully, stating that "The minister is in no position to tell us whether we must postpone the meeting or not"—a reminder that parliamentary processes don’t revolve around one person’s schedule (Jacaranda FM). DA MP Karabo Khakhau piled on the criticism, challenging why Nkabane attended the Eastern Cape event herself when her deputies could have stepped in (IOL). She called the absence an insult, implying it was “a spit in our faces”.
Adding fuel to the fire, questions arose about a letter from Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi’s office suggesting the meeting had been cancelled. That letter reportedly misled officials—including Deputy DG Rhulani Ngwenya, who only discovered mid-flight that the meeting was proceeding (The Citizen, Central News). EFF MP Sihle Lonzi highlighted the gravity: "Not even a state president can cancel a meeting of Parliament" (IOL).
Even MP Sanele Zondo of the IFP warned that “lies have short legs,” pushing for a rescheduled session as soon as next Tuesday (The Citizen). The intention is clear: hold Nkabane and her team accountable, and dig deeper into what went wrong in the appointment process.
At the heart of this controversy is more than just a missed meeting. In May, Nkabane reversed appointments tightly tied to ANC affiliates, including Buyambo Mantashe, son of Minister Gwede Mantashe (IOL). She initially defended the appointments, claiming they stemmed from an “independent” panel chaired by Advocate Motau—who later denied involvement (IOL). The DA responded by lodging criminal charges and filing complaints with the Public Protector and Ethics Committee, alleging that Nkabane misled Parliament (Central News).
Behind the scenes, the Hawks have confirmed an investigation is underway—though it remains in preliminary stages (IOL). Opposition MPs are demanding transparency from everyone involved—including the missed panelists, bureaucrats, and advisors.
The stakes are high. SETAs oversee vital skills development funds—an estimated R17 billion a year. Irregularities, political favoritism, or cronyism in these structures can have far-reaching consequences for South Africa’s education and job-readiness landscape (Central News).
So where does this leave Parliament? The chairperson has signaled a firm next step: Nkabane, her DG, and other panel members will be formally summoned for a session next week. This time, there will be no excuses, no absence.
Read also... “Higher Education Minister Nkabane slammed for skipping Parliament after ANC-linked SETA board scandal”
Pinned poll / comment section:
Do you think Minister Nkabane’s deputies should have spoken up for her?
☐ Yes, they should have represented her
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☐ Not sure—depends on protocol
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#SETA #Nkabane #HigherEducation #ParliamentZA #Accountability #DailySouthAfricanPulse #Politics
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