Latest news with #ANC-aligned
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Is the ANC to blame for a negative perception of its officials?
ANCYL SG claims deployees are often stigmatised because of their political affiliation. The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has defended the deployment of ANC-aligned professionals into critical public service positions, but claims they are often victimised. The organisation's secretary-general, Mntwoxolo Ngudle, said deployees are often judged because of their political affiliation. 'The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) notes with concern the growing trend of public discourse that seeks to stigmatise and delegitimise the deployment of highly qualified ANC-aligned professionals to public institutions. 'It is disheartening that individuals who possess the highest forms of academic and professional qualifications, some holding doctorates and years of industry experience, are dismissed solely because of their affiliation with the ANC,' he said. He said casting aspersions on ANC-aligned professionals is a blow to the country's transformation agenda and the need for equality. 'We reject the narrow narrative that presumes any ANC member appointed to a position of responsibility is there by virtue of patronage rather than merit. 'This weaponisation of public opinion against ANC deployees is a calculated political attack designed to weaken the ANC's influence in key institutions of development,' he claimed. ALSO READ: 'Political gaslighting': Will Lesufi really fire corrupt officials? The analyst explains why there is a negative perception However, political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast told The Citizen that the ANC is to blame for the negative perception that the public has about the party. 'The ANC has displayed a culture of not caring for its people, let's be honest. 'Most municipalities are failing to comply with the Municipal Finance Management Act. Public officials are doing business with the municipalities that they work for, that is an 'I don't care attitude,'' he said. Breakfast said there is evidence that the ANC has used jobs in the public sector to reward certain individuals close to the executive. 'The problem is the ANC has been using the public service as a terrain of accumulation, but also as a terrain to dish out favours to some of their henchmen. 'When a president is elected, or even in regional politics, whoever ascends the state machinery will be used to dish out favours to those people who assisted,' he said. Appointments in the DA-run municipalities DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the party has always ensured that professionals in the administration of the municipalities they run are appointed on merit. 'We do not apply cadre deployment at all, we believe that the most competent person must be appointed to a position. 'The fact that you are a member of a political party should not play a role in your appointment whatsoever,' he said. However, the party said the law does allow it to appoint its members to political office. 'Political office is exactly what it says that is political office. With a political appointment, it is connected to the term of that elected person, and when that person is removed, the other positions attached to this also end,' he said. NOW READ: Mbalula: It is very painful to see your own comrades being arrested
IOL News
7 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkabane's controversial refusal to disclose SETA panel members
Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane told the Higher Education Portfolio Committee that she could declare her volunteers who served on the panel that selected and made recommendations on the chairpersons of SETA boards that have since been withdrawn. Image: X Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane repeatedly refused to disclose the names of members of the panel that selected and recommended the now-withdrawn chairpersons of the Sector and Education Training Authorities (SETA). This happened as top department officials, including Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi, told the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education that they did not know the people serving on the panel. Nkabane was appearing before the portfolio committee after she withdrew the appointments of chairpersons for the SETA boards following public outrage after the list of the appointments was leaked. The appointments had included ANC-aligned people that included former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson and Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Briefing the committee on Friday, Nkabane maintained that they complied with the law when processing the appointments, having considered the criteria that candidates met. 'The integrity of the process was beyond scrutiny and reproach,' she said. Nkabane also said she had appointed the panel using the King 4 Report on Governance to ensure there was a dedicated committee to play oversight. 'This requirement of assigning a dedicated structure to evaluate the nominations was a recommendation by the Auditor-General on boards in 2020,' she said. The department had obtained 573 nominations, but only 20 were recommended for appointments by the independent panel. Nkabane told the committee that the panel consisted of very reputable and highly profiled individuals who would do the work voluntarily. 'They don't claim to execute this responsibility on behalf of the minister.' She further stated that the panel consisted of five or six people, a similar size to those that made recommendations for the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and university councils. Asked by DA MP Letta Maseko who the members of the panel were, Nkabane put her foot down. 'There is no need for me to come and declare my volunteers, the people who assisted me voluntarily to execute my responsibilities. I am not in a position. If something wrong you believe happened with the entire process, you shoot the person empowered by legislation to execute the responsibility,' she said. Pressed again by Maseko to name the panel, Nkabane said: 'I can't share the names. Whatever comes, the responsibility lies with the minister, not them. I am not to drag them.' Nkabane stood her ground when MK Party MP Mnqobi Msezane said it was of public interest that the panel be named, as well as the criteria used to appoint 'ghost people'. 'I still maintain that we want to know who those people are,' Msezane said. EFF MP Sihle Lonzi said they did not buy Nkabane's explanation that the initial process was beyond reproach. In response, Nkabane insisted that the process had no flaws. 'The process was run by a credible and reputable panel. They overlooked demographics,' she said. When Lonzi asked if Nkabane would disclose 'the secret panel', she referred to advisory councils. This prompted Lonzi to ask her to answer in yes or no whether she will disclose the names of the people on the panel who took very serious decisions on behalf of the Ministry and the department. 'The people of South Africa want to know where the decisions about higher education are made. Are you willing to tell us the people, yes or no?' asked Lonzi, before promising they would find the names of the panel members. In response, Nkabane said she was not in court. 'It is not compulsory for me to disclose the independent panel that is assisting the minister. I will find out from them if they are happy I disclose their names. I can't come here and disclose information. I need to comply with relevant legislation. I am not going to respond to yes or no,' she said. DA MP Karabo Khakhau said it was an act of shame for Nkabane to be arrogant and tell the committee it was none of its business who the people on the panel that advised her were. 'It is our business as people of this committee. It is the business of the people of South Africa to know,' Khakhau said. The department has restarted the nominations of the SETA boards' chairpersons, and nominations are open until June 12.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkabane confident in new SETA appointments amid public scrutiny
Minister of Higher Education and Training Nobuhle Nkabane says the government gazette for SETA chairpersons' appointments affirms that all nominations for the relevant bodies will solely be judged on lawful merit-based criteria. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is confident that the restarted process to appoint chairpersons of boards of directors of the Sector and Education Training Authorities (SETA) will not again attract an outcry from the public. Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Nkabane said she will stick to legislative imperatives and has instructed the panel, independent of handling the nominations and recommendations, to ensure that the list of recommended candidates is not bloated with politically exposed persons. 'When we reopened the process this time around, we are going to address the concerns that were raised. I don't envisage public outcry after this process is concluded because we anticipate concluding it within a short space of time. I just want to assure the House that there will be no public outcry,' she said. Nkabane made the statement during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly in connection with the withdrawal of the appointments of SETA chairpersons earlier this month after she received backlash from civil society and political parties for appointing several ANC-aligned individuals. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Among the controversial appointees were former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson and Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. The minister said the Constitution guaranteed fundamental freedoms such as the right to choose freely one's trade, occupation, profession, equality before the law, political rights, and freedom of association. 'These principles ensure no individual is denied opportunities based on political affiliation or association,' she said. Nkabane added that the Skills Development Act contained no provision excluding or favouring candidates based on their political beliefs. 'The government gazette of 22 May 2025 affirms that all nominations for the relevant bodies will be solely judged on lawful merit-based criteria.' She defended the now-cancelled appointments, saying the recommended candidates were academically qualified. 'We decided to recalibrate the process, not because there was something wrong with the process that was conducted by the independent panel. It is only because we are responding to the outcry of society hence we are a responsive government, as the ANC. 'We felt it was very important for us to be responsive and listen to the citizens when they cry to say they feel the calibre of the candidates is more politically heavy. So we had to respond, not that there is any legislation we contravened,' Nkabane said. She was adamant that the now-cancelled appointments were beyond reproach and that candidates had met the criteria for appointment. 'They have a role to play in society. They raised their hands to say they wanted to serve so that they could turn around the post-school and education sector. We have a responsibility as a government to respond to the cries.' EFF MP Sihle Lonzi said the withdrawal of the appointment effectively meant there was a flaw in the process. And that there were people who were not supposed to be chairpersons of the boards. 'If there was no problem in the process, you were not going to withdraw those names. You withdrew the names because the people of South Africa don't want Gwede Mantashe's son and ANC comrades there,' Lonzi said. In response, Nkabane said there was no flaw in the process followed, and they were merely responding to the public outcry. 'We are not to deviate from the legislation that empowers the minister on processes that must be followed in appointing accounting authorities. 'We are still to follow the Constitution, Skills Development Act, and the guide on the criteria that must be followed. Because our people cried that, indeed, it is politically bloated with candidates that were recommended, this time around, among the criteria I will add personally, is to say to the independent panel to please make sure it is balanced in demographics and that that we don't see bloated politically associated candidates in that list. 'However, we need to take into consideration that the Constitution does not preclude those who are politically affiliated,' Nkabane said.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkabane calls for public nominations for SETA chairpersons following controversial appointments
Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has given the members of the public wishing to make nominations for appointments of the chairpersons of the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities until June 12. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has called on members of the public to nominate chairpersons for the 21 Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards. This call comes hot on the heels of widespread outrage over a leaked list of appointments that saw several ANC-aligned individuals being selected for the key chairperson positions. Among the controversial appointees were former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson and Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. The backlash from civil society and political parties forced Nkabane to withdraw the appointments and initiate a fresh process for nomination. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ At the time of the withdrawal of the appointments earlier this month, Nkabane had undertaken to re-open the nominations for a limited run of seven days and also establish a new independent panel to process the nominations and recommend candidates. In a notice published on Thursday, Nkabane invited nominations for the appointments of chairpersons of the boards for 21 SETAs. 'Interested stakeholders in the relevant sectors are invited to nominate suitably qualified candidates in possession of NQF level 8 qualification coupled with, amongst others, a blend of knowledge, skills, and experience required for the effective functioning of the SETA,' she said. Nkabane also said competent candidates should preferably have an extensive wealth of sectoral knowledge, technical experience, and leadership capability. 'Preference will be given to people with disabilities, youth, and women during the nomination within policy and legislative context.' Nkabane said candidates who were nominated in response to the previous Gazette may be renominated if they are still willing to be considered for appointment as SETA chairpersons. The newly appointed chairpersons will assume their duties from the date of appointment until March 2030. Nkabane said those wishing to make nominations have until June 12. The notice for nominations came days after the Higher Education Portfolio Committee postponed a meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday. The meeting was postponed due to the unavailability of an alternative venue, as the original venue was used as a lock-up facility in preparation for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget speech. Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie said the meeting was to discuss Nkabane's decision to withdraw the appointments of SETA chairpersons and to restart the appointment process. 'This meeting with the minister is of critical importance. It must take place as soon as possible to ensure the committee fully understands the rationale behind the decision to restart the appointment process,' Letsie said.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Minister Nkabane reverses controversial SETA appointments amid public outcry
Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane made an about-turn on the appointments of SETA chairpersons following a public outrage after a leaked list of the appointments surfaced. Image: Twitter Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane's decision to reverse the appointments of chairpersons for several Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) has been welcomed by parties as some claimed credit for applying pressure on her. Nkabane made the about-turn on the appointments on Thursday following a public outrage after a leaked list of appointments to SETAs surfaced. The appointments had included ANC-aligned people that included former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. Also on the list was KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport head Siboniso Mbhele, and ANC deputy regional secretary in Johannesburg, who is the wife of former Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku, and SACP leader and former higher education director-general Gwebinkundla Qonde, among others. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ DA national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said Nkabane's decision marked a step in the right direction and showed that the pressure applied by her party and civil society has not been in vain. "We are pleased that the Minister has finally come to her senses and recognised that SETA boards cannot and must not be treated as extensions of ANC patronage networks," Khakhau said. She reiterated the DA's call that SETAs should be free from political interference, and that future appointments should be made on the basis of merit, experience, and commitment to service delivery. 'We look forward to reviewing the new list of appointees and will continue to monitor the process to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability,' Khakhau said. The MK Party Nkabane's said the reversal of the appointments was not a matter of principle but a response to its pressure and public outrage. 'It is disingenuous that the Minister revoked such appointment only when faced with such backlash rather than acknowledging the inherent ethical failings and moral impropriety of the original decision,' spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said. Ndhlela said there was no transparent public consultation on constituting the SETA boards dominated by ANC deployees nor merit followed. 'Following the Minister's call for the nomination of new candidates, the MK Party vows to closely monitor the process of SETA board appointments to ensure that due processes are strictly followed and that the Minister is held to account. 'The MK Party will continue to expose every instance where institutions meant for public good are hijacked for private political gain,' he said. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said his party was vindicated in its consistent and unrelenting exposure of the rot and unethical appointments by Nkabane. 'It is our firm belief that these appointments were not made in the spirit of fairness, transparency or merit but were a manifestation of the ANC's longstanding practice of rewarding political loyalty with positions of public responsibility,' Thambo said. He said the reopening of the nomination process must not be a cosmetic exercise. 'It must lead to the selection of the best candidates based on merit, experience and a demonstrable track record of ethical leadership. Anything less will be a betrayal of the public trust,' Thambo said. The ANC said Nkabane's decision was a reaffirmation of its commitment to ethical governance, democratic accountability and institutional integrity. 'It was a decision of conscience and accountability, made by a Minister committed to transparency and good governance,' national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said. Bhengu-Motsiri also said Nkabane has reassured that the recalibrated process will be conducted in a manner that is fair, transparent, and fully compliant with the Skills Development Act. 'As the ANC, we call on all sectors of society, especially progressive voices in business, labour, academia and civil society to participate in the renewed process and nominate candidates who reflect the ethos of public service, transformation and national development,' she said.
