Latest news with #NSFAS
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
NSFAS board expresses confidence in new higher education leadership
Western Cape High Court Judge President Nolwazi Penelope Mabindla-Boqwana conducts the swearing-in of newly-appointed Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela. Image: Kopano Tlape / GCIS The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board says Higher Education and Training Minister Bhuti Manamela's leadership and Deputy Minister Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube's experience will contribute to the betterment of the sector. The board made the statements when congratulating Manamela and Dube-Ncube on their appointments. 'The board is confident that Minister Manamela's leadership will inspire ongoing progress and innovation within the sector, thereby promoting greater access and success for South Africa's students. We look forward to collaborating closely with the Minister to advance accessible, high-quality higher education for all South Africans,' NSFAS said in a statement. 'The board also congratulates Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube on her appointment as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. Her extensive experience and unwavering dedication will undoubtedly enhance the ministry's efforts to support learners and institutions nationwide.' 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 ✕ Western Cape High Court Judge President Nolwazi Penelope Mabindla-Boqwana conducts the swearing-in of newly-appointed Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube. Image: Kopano Tlape / GCIS NSFAS said it is committed to supporting the ministry's and government's vision for higher education transformation. This is achieved by providing innovative funding solutions and inclusive policies, thereby improving access and quality in the sector as a key national partner. It said the board looks forward to collaborating with Minister Manamela and Deputy Minister Dube-Ncube to further these important goals. Manamela and Dube-Ncube's appointment comes after the sacking of former Higher Education and Training minister Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane. On Monday, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Nkabane from the role of Minister of Higher Education and Training and has, in terms of Section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, appointed Manamela as Minister of Higher Education and Training. Additionally, Ramaphosa, in accordance with Section 93(b) of the Constitution, appointed Dube-Ncube as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. Nkabane has been criticised for her decision-making and higher education policies. Speaking to eNCA earlier this week, Nkabane said Ramaphosa called her on Monday and told her about his decision. 'All signs were there…that there are some forces on the ground that want me out of the system,' she said. 'To be honest, I am not even shocked, and I have just accepted the dismissal because the president, in terms of the Constitutional prerogative, has powers and functions. According to Section 91(2), he has the right to appoint and dismiss the deputy president, ministers, and deputy ministers..' 'So, I accept the dismissal by the president and I take it positively, and I feel I have been honoured to have been entrusted with such a huge responsibility to lead the Department of Higher Education and Training, and post-school education and the training system entirely.'
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
New minister Bhuti Manamela brings nothing new
Western Cape High Court Judge President Nolwazi Penelope Mabindla-Boqwana conducts the swearing-in of newly-appointed Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela. Image: Kopano Tlape | GCIS NEWLY-APPOINTED Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela's track record contradicts his party, the ANC's claim that his leadership will advance access, equity, and quality in the higher education sector. He has been the higher education and training deputy minister for almost 10 years and it's safe to say that he watched the collapse of entities such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). He was at the helm when poor students were forced to sleep rough on the floor of administration buildings because NSFAS failed to pay for their accommodation. He watched students being attacked by police with stun grenades and tear gas when they demanded to be registered. Manamela had the power to distance himself from his boss, the outgoing Nobuhle Nkabane when she misled Parliament on the controversial appointments of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) board members, which included Buyelembo Mantashe, the son of Nkabane's former boss and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe. We can go on and on about instances where Manamela chose to take the backseat while Rome was burning, literally. To expect South Africans to believe that he is the right person to turn that ministry's fortunes around is wishful thinking at best or insulting people's intelligence at worst. 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 ✕ How do we expect a person who was part of the problem to be responsible for solutions? What his appointment signals is an attempt by the ANC to appease the SACP, Manamela's political home, which intends contesting next year's local government election in protest of the ANC governing with the DA in the so-called Government of National Unity. It's also to stabilise the fractured relations between the ANC and the DA coalition. If not, then why has Ramaphosa not fired other ministers implicated in serious corruption allegations? Nkabane's departure was long overdue. Her arrogance was the true reflection of what the ANC has become. No wonder voters continue rejecting it at the polls. The party's continued lip service to ethical leadership that is grounded in truly addressing the pressing needs of the majority of people of this country will see it lose the little power it still has on some of the key metros in the 2026 local government elections. Last year's national elections were just the beginning of an end. CAPE TIMES
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Outa concerned about new higher education minister
Outa keeps an eye on the department, having completed a report on corruption at NSFAS, and is now calling for action at Setas. Civil action organisation Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) is urging the new Minister of Higher Education Buti Manamela to take urgent action on corruption in the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas). Wayne Duvenage, CEO of Outa, said the new minister has a huge task ahead, as the Setas are mired in dysfunction, but Outa is concerned that he is too strongly linked to the old guard and the dysfunction and corruption in the department and its entities. 'While minister Manamela brings years of experience to the role, having served as a deputy minister in various portfolios since 2014, his long-standing presence within the higher education department raises serious concerns about continuity rather than change. 'Given his proximity to the dysfunction and corruption that plagued the department of higher education and its entities – particularly the Setas – for more than a decade, his appointment is not a welcome development for those demanding real reform and accountability.' ALSO READ: 'Emails' reveal Nkabane misled Parliament over Seta scandal – but insisted it wasn't intentional Outa on second deputy minister On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa also appointed Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube as deputy minister of higher education and training. Duvenage said Outa did not expect the president to appoint a second deputy minister, as Mimmy Gondwe is already in place as the deputy. 'Over several years, Outa, exposed deep-rooted maladministration, governance failures and corruption at multiple Setas and at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). While there have been some positive developments, such as the appointments of Dr Karen Stander as NSFAS chair and Waseem Carrim as CEO, the Setas remain mired in dysfunction, with little sign of meaningful intervention.' He pointed out that despite repeated adverse findings and qualified audits from the auditor-general, the leadership at entities like the Insurance Seta, Construction Education and Training Authority, Services Seta, Education, Training and Development Practices Seta and Media, Information and Communication Technologies Seta remained intact. 'Executives implicated in mismanagement continue to draw large salaries and bonuses, while the essential mission of developing skills and improving employability is undermined. The Setas cost business taxpayers R21 billion a year, but do not deliver value for money. 'Outa urges minister Manamela to demonstrate a break from the past by acting swiftly and decisively to restore integrity and oversight across the Seta environment. This must begin with the urgent appointment of new Seta board chairs who are ethical, independent and free from political interference to ensure that executive management is properly held to account.' He said Outa will write to Manamela to request an urgent meeting to share the substantial evidence and insights Outa gathered over the years on systemic corruption within the Setas. ALSO READ: Nzimande pulls knives out as Outa stands by report claims Outa wins against former NSFAS chair Meanwhile the high court found last week that Outa did not have to give the former National Student Financial Aid Scheme chair a right of reply to the organisation's report on corruption at the entity. The Johannesburg High Court backed Outa over publication of its NSFAS report, ruling that former NSFAS chair Ernest Khosa did not have a right to pre-publication comment before Outa published a report implicating him in corruption. 'A person implicated in acts of corruption in a report published by a private actor does not have the right to a hearing prior to publication,' the court said. The dispute revolved around a report and statement Outa published about NSFAS and Khosa in early 2024, implicating him in corruption with NSFAS suppliers. Khosa resigned a few months later. Advocate Stefanie Fick, executive director at Outa's accountability division, said Khosa wanted the court to order Outa to remove the report from its website and order that he be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations, that the report only be republished once this was completed to his satisfaction and that the republished report contain an accurate record of his responses to each allegation. However, Outa refused to remove the report, but offered to hear Khosa's version and update the report accordingly, but Khosa declined. Khosa argued that he had a right to respond to the allegations before Outa released the report but the court found that no such legal obligation exists, especially for private actors acting in the public interest. ALSO READ: Higher education minister Nkabane announces new NSFAS board to drive reform Judgment means organisations like Outa can expose wrongdoing without right of reply Fick said the legal significance of this judgment lies in its clarification of the rights and obligations of private actors, such as Outa, when publishing reports implicating individuals in alleged wrongdoing. 'This judgment reaffirms our constitutional right to expose maladministration and corruption without facing undue procedural barriers. Khosa's attempt to silence public interest reporting under the guise of procedural fairness was rightly dismissed by the court.' Acting Judge GA Fourie found: Khosa had no right to a pre-publication notice because there is no requirement in law for Outa to notify individuals before publishing allegations in a public interest report; Outa, as a private entity, does not exercise public powers or perform public functions. Its investigations and publications are not binding and do not carry statutory authority. This distinction is critical in determining the scope of procedural obligations owed by private entities; The right to dignity and reputation does not override the constitutional protection of free speech, especially when allegations serve the public good; The appropriate legal avenue for challenging potentially defamatory content is through defamation proceedings, not through pre-publication interdicts; and Constitutional rights do not extend horizontally to impose obligations on private entities like Outa in the way Khosa claimed. ALSO READ: Don't let Andile Nongogo near public money – Outa Judgment protects civil society organisations to expose corruption Fick said this judgment reinforces the principle that private actors are not bound by the same procedural obligations as public entities. 'It also protects the ability of civil society organisations to expose corruption without undue interference, while preserving the common-law remedies available to individuals who feel aggrieved by such publications. 'Khosa did not complain that the Outa report was defamatory or deal with the veracity of the allegations against him. He did not even include the report in his founding papers. This gives rise to concerns that the intention was to prevent or delay publication of the report, or distort it, which should be avoided. 'The judge said 'the impact on the ability of whistle-blowers and other private actors to expose corruption would be significant'. The court dismissed the application with costs, noting that although the matter raised novel legal questions, there was no basis for granting the relief Khosa sought.'
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Buti Manamela appointed as Higher Education Minister after Nkabane's resignation
In a swift response to recent controversies, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher Education and Training. The decision follows Dr Nobuhle Nkabane's resignation, which she announced in a brief statement Monday afternoon. Nkabane expressed her gratitude to President Ramaphosa for the opportunity to serve in such a critical role, stating, "I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, for entrusting me with the responsibility to serve as Minister of Higher Education and Training." Minutes after her statement, Ramaphosa announced Manamela's appointment as well as Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who will be serving as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. The reshuffling comes as Nkabane was facing mounting allegations of corruption and misleading Parliament about the process used to appoint the SETA board members - a list which was dominated by African National Congress (ANC) affiliates, including the son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, Buyambo. SASCO President Alungile Amtshe said Nkabane had failed students on multiple fronts, including by failing to appoint a National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). [email protected] IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
South Africa's Board Dissolution Epidemic: A Symptom of Deeper Governance Malaise
Board dissolutions are symptoms, not solutions. Without fundamental reforms to how we select, oversee, and hold accountable both board members and their political principals, South Africa's governance crisis will only deepen. South Africa's public institutions are haemorrhaging credibility as ministers wield the dissolution axe with alarming frequency. From Transport Minister Barbara Creecy's dissolution of the Road Accident Fund board amid "governance and operational issues" to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande's dramatic dismantling of the NSFAS board over chronic payment failures, the pattern is unmistakable: our state-owned entities are failing spectacularly. The sheer volume of board dissolutions reads like a governance disaster checklist. Basketball SA faced dissolution calls after nearly bungling the U18 African Championships, with R5-million in liabilities against just R36 000 in the bank. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie dissolved the boxing board, creating what observers called "a vacuum" in the sport. The list extends to SA Tourism, multiple Gauteng provincial boards, and the perpetually troubled PRASA. This is not accountability; it is crisis management masquerading as decisive action. When dissolution becomes the default response to institutional failure, it signals a fundamental breakdown in governance oversight. Nzimande's dissolution of the NSFAS board epitomises the deeper malaise. The minister cited the board's inability to implement basic recommendations, failure to submit correct annual reports, and, most damningly, consistent inability to pay student allowances on time. The South African Union of Students called the dissolution "long overdue," describing NSFAS leadership as "some of the most inept and useless people to ever live". Yet where was ministerial oversight when these failures were festering? When opposition parties called for Nzimande's resignation, he defiantly declared: "I will not resign, I am not appointed by them". This encapsulates the accountability deficit plaguing our system. These dissolutions reveal a troubling power dynamic where ministers dissolve boards but rarely face consequences for their oversight failures. With South Africa's Government of National Unity under strain and voter turnout declining from 89% in 1999 to 58% in 2024, public faith in governance institutions is eroding. The question isn't whether these boards deserved dissolution- many did. The question is why they were allowed to fail so catastrophically under ministerial watch. When the Road Accident Fund board was dissolved, why wasn't the transport minister held accountable for allowing "governance and operational issues" to fester? When NSFAS chronically failed to pay student allowances, leaving thousands stranded, why did Minister Nzimande escape censure while his board faced the axe? The pattern suggests that board members serve as convenient scapegoats for broader systemic failures. Ministers appoint boards based on political aspirations rather than competence, provide minimal oversight, and then dissolve them when public pressure mounts. This creates a perverse incentive structure where political principals escape accountability while appointed boards bear the consequences of institutional collapse. The dissolution epidemic reflects not decisive leadership but a fundamental abdication of ministerial responsibility. Consider the audacity: ministers who failed to prevent these institutional meltdowns position themselves as the solution through dissolution, while the very cadre deployment system that created these failures remains untouched and ready to produce the next wave of incompetent appointees. Furthermore, these dissolutions disrupt institutional memory and continuity. When boards are repeatedly dissolved and reconstituted, organisations lose valuable experience and knowledge. The perpetual cycle of destruction and rebuilding wastes resources and undermines long-term strategic planning. Citizens suffer as essential services deteriorate while institutions lurch from crisis to crisis. The cost of this governance failure is measured not just in financial terms but in the erosion of public trust and institutional effectiveness. Each dissolution announcement becomes a damning indictment of the minister's failure to govern, yet mysteriously transforms into evidence of their decisive action, a grotesque inversion of accountability that would be laughable if the consequences were not so devastating for ordinary South Africans. South Africa needs board appointments based on competence, not political will. We need ministers who provide proactive oversight rather than reactive dissolutions. Most critically, we need consequences for political principals who preside over institutional collapse. Until we address the systemic governance failures that necessitate these dissolutions, we will continue this expensive cycle of institutional destruction and rebuilding, while citizens suffer the consequences of perpetual state failure. Board dissolutions are symptoms, not solutions. Without fundamental reforms to how we select, oversee, and hold accountable both board members and their political principals, South Africa's governance crisis will only deepen.
