Latest news with #SETA
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Malema warns new Minister Manamela about department challenges and advises Nkabane to be humble
EFF leader Julius Malema says former Higher Education minister Nobuhle Nkabane must be humble and know that she does not know and be prepared to be guided and be advised by proper people. Image: X / EFF EFF leader Julius Malema on Thursday offered free advice to newly-appointed Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela and his sacked predecessor Nobuhle Nkabane. Responding to questions from journalists at a media briefing in Cape Town, Malema said Manamela should never trust the department's director-general (D-G) Nkosinathi Sishi, whom he described as 'the big problem' in the department. 'He is the one who misleads them. He worked with Blade (Nzimande) that D-G. Blade is disgruntled and bitter about his removal from higher education. He will do anything and everything to undermine whoever is in that institution,' he said. 'Buti must find a way to part ways with that D-G and bring a competent, qualified person who is not Blade Nzimande stooge, if he wants to succeed in that department,' he said. Malema gave the advice days after Manamela replaced Nkabane. Nkabane was axed amid the investigation by the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education into the now-cancelled appointment of chairperson for boards of Sector and Education Authorities (SETAs). 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, among others. Nkabane had told the portfolio committee that an 'independent panel' had made recommendations on the appointment of board chairpersons. However, those she named to have served on 'the independent panel' denied involvement in the work of the panel apart from confirming the appointments to be panellists. Malema described Nkabane's sacking as 'so painful', adding that she was young and had the chance to come back. 'I have seen people demoted politically rework themselves and come back. The first thing she must do is stop chewing gum in a meeting,' Malema said. His reference to chewing gum related to a recent portfolio committee meeting where Nkabane was seen chewing something while being interrogated by MPs. 'She must be humble and know that she does not know and be prepared to be guided and be advised by proper people. Only a person who does not know how government works would have advised what she did.' Malema noted with concern that Nkabane had not used 'the second chance' given to her by the portfolio committee to explain the selection and recommendations made by the 'independent panel' on the appointment of SETA board chairpersons. 'She leaves the committee to go to a gender-based violence (event) of a TVET college when TVET colleges are a responsibility of a deputy minister. Someone from the streets is misleading her. She is listening to someone who has no idea what we deal with here (Parliament). There are certain things you don't do in Parliament. She should have known.' Malema also said Nkabane had not been collegial to 'the protection' in the form of her ANC colleague and committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie. 'That was extremely girlish. She was not ready to be a minister. She must go to the branch and learn,' he said. [email protected]
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
'I accept the dismissal': Nkabane speaks out after being fired by Ramaphosa
Fired Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane defended her record on the SETA board appointments, stating she was ready with documents to prove her case before being removed from office. Image: Supplied "All the signs were there." That's how former Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane described her reaction to being dismissed from the position by President Cyril Ramaphosa, adding that many people wanted her to be fired from the position. Nkabane said she received a call from Ramaphosa on Monday informing her of his decision while she was on her way to Cape Town for a portfolio committee meeting on higher education scheduled for Tuesday. 'All signs were there…that there are some forces on the ground that want me out of the system,' she told broadcaster eNCA on Tuesday. '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. When you look at Section 91.2, he has the right to appoint and dismiss the deputy president, the ministers, as well as 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.' 'I think I'm a better version of myself than when I came, and I've learned a lot of things.' Nkabane was under fire regarding the appointments of the controversial SETA board chairpersons. The cabinet reshuffle follows growing scrutiny of Nkabane's role in what MPs have described as a 'misleading' explanation to Parliament about the SETA board appointment process. 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 The appointments included individuals closely linked to the African National Congress (ANC), such as Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, and Dube-Ncube. On Tuesday, IOL News reported that the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education found no formal panel was involved in appointing SETA board chairpersons, contradicting Nkabane's earlier claims. Nkabane previously told Parliament that an 'independent panel' chaired by Advocate Terry Motau oversaw the appointments. Motau, along with others named as panel members, including Nkabane's chief of staff, Nelisiwe Semane, and adviser Asisipho Solani - denied any involvement. All testified that no formal meeting or discussion regarding the appointments had taken place. Ramaphosa has since appointed Buti Manamela, one of Nkabane's deputies, as the new minister of Higher Education and Training. Former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube was named deputy minister. Nkabane added, 'But what is very disturbing, that I think I must as well speak about, is that there is a perception that I lied in Parliament. I was looking forward to this day so that I could clear my name.' 'I prepared nicely, files, appointment letters, and everything to prove to myself that I did not lie in Parliament. I am a professional. I am an academic. There's no way I can risk my reputation by lying in Parliament. 'I wanted to go to Parliament and clear my name today, having all the evidence that I followed due processes to make sure that systems are in place. But when the dust has settled, I will get an opportunity to clear my name,' Nkabane added. Meanwhile, Members of Parliament (MPs) said they are considering calling Nkabane, in her capacity as a private member, to explain what led her to appoint ANC-linked members to the controversial SETA boards. IOL Politics
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Parliament confirms no independent panel existed for SETA board appointments following Nkabane's dismissal
Former Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, who was dismissed amid controversy over ANC-linked SETA board appointments. Image: GCIS The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has found that no formal panel was involved in appointing Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board chairpersons, contradicting former Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane's claims. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's dismissal of Nkabane on Monday, appointing her deputy, Buti Manamela, as the new Minister of Higher Education and Training, with Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube as deputy minister. The cabinet reshuffle comes amid increasing scrutiny of Nkabane's misleading explanation to Parliament regarding the SETA board appointment process. The appointments included individuals closely linked to the African National Congress (ANC), such as Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, and Dube-Ncube. The Department of Higher Education and Training briefed the committee on the existence of an 'independent panel' allegedly responsible for selecting and recommending SETA board appointments. Nkabane previously told MPs that the panel was chaired by Advocate Terry Motau, who later denied any involvement. Other individuals named as panel members included Nkabane's chief of staff Nelisiwe Semane and adviser Asisipho Solani. Both initially failed to attend a previous meeting but were present at the latest hearing. Deputy Director-General Rhulani Ngwenya and Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi were also absent in the previous meeting, but attended the latest session. All the alleged panelists denied participating in the selection or appointment of the now-reversed SETA board members. They told MPs there was no formal meeting or discussion held regarding the appointments. Ngwenya, who was listed as the panel's secretary, admitted she never convened any meetings, set agendas, or recorded minutes. 'I viewed this as an assignment of duties rather than a formal appointment and did not deem it necessary to formally accept it in writing,' she said. 'I was neither compensated nor remunerated for my role.' Semane said that although her name appeared on the minister's list of panel members, she only participated in selecting SETA accounting authorities - not board chairpersons. 'The minister's list of panel members was all-inclusive and did not distinguish between those involved in different selection processes,' she said. 'I was not paid any additional remuneration for my role in recommending accounting authorities.' Solani, who was Nkabane's adviser, also denied orchestrating the appointment process. 'I confirm that I did not receive any payments, allowances, or investments in this matter,' he said. Sishi distanced himself further, saying that while he supported the idea of appointing chairpersons, legislation did not permit him to do so. 'I only saw the list of chairpersons at the same time as everyone else during a meeting with the National Skills Authority… I had no prior knowledge of who would be on that list.' The trio emphasised that the panel never convened and they had no insight into how the names were selected. Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie said testimonies confirmed that the panel never existed. 'It's clear the intention was there, but this process was never formalised,' Letsie said. 'The minister had every right under Section 111A of the Skills Development Act to make appointments. She could have simply said she was taking responsibility and restarting the process.' Letsie said the committee would draft a preliminary report and may offer Nkabane a chance to respond. He also questioned the usefulness of relying on a non-legislated process like an 'independent panel.' 'There was never a panel that was set…We are going to continue addressing these administrative issues with the department.' Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MP Sanele Zondo said it was unfair to block members from raising concerns. 'There was a public outcry over inconsistencies and flawed processes. We are trying to determine whether she lied under oath or misinterpreted the facts,' Zondo said. The Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Karabo Khakhau demanded access to the legal opinion guiding the committee's decision-making. 'Once we all have that, I'll call for a caucus break so parties can consult their legal teams,' she said. 'There's nothing stopping us from engaging Solani, Ngwenya, and the others - or from calling Nkabane to appear again.' DA MP Désirée van der Walt added: 'Everyone summoned appeared based on their role. We're not going to let this go.' Patriotic Alliance (PA) MP Ashley Sauls agreed that Nkabane must be held accountable. 'The question is whether that accountability should continue in this committee. There are other parliamentary processes where she can appear,' Sauls added. Cape Argus
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Nobuhle Nkabane dismissal: Parliament confirms no independent panel existed for SETA board appointments
Former Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, who was dismissed amid controversy over ANC-linked SETA board appointments. Image: GCIS The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has found that no formal panel was involved in appointing Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board chairpersons, contradicting claims by former Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane. This development comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Nkabane on Monday. Ramaphosa appointed her deputy, Buti Manamela, as the new Minister of Higher Education and Training, and announced Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube as deputy minister. The cabinet reshuffle follows growing scrutiny of Nkabane's role in what MPs have described as a misleading explanation to Parliament about the SETA board appointment process. The appointments included individuals closely linked to the African National Congress (ANC), such as Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, and Dube-Ncube. The Department of Higher Education and Training briefed the committee on the existence of an 'independent panel' allegedly responsible for selecting and recommending SETA board appointments. Nkabane previously told MPs that the panel was chaired by Advocate Terry Motau, who later denied any involvement. Other individuals named as panel members included Nkabane's chief of staff Nelisiwe Semane and adviser Asisipho Solani. Both initially failed to attend a previous meeting but were present at the latest hearing. Deputy Director-General Rhulani Ngwenya and Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi were also absent in the previous meeting, but attended the latest session. All the alleged panelists denied participating in the selection or appointment of the now-reversed SETA board members. They told MPs there was no formal meeting or discussion held regarding the appointments. Ngwenya, who was listed as the panel's secretary, admitted she never convened any meetings, set agendas, or recorded minutes. 'I viewed this as an assignment of duties rather than a formal appointment and did not deem it necessary to formally accept it in writing,' she said. 'I was neither compensated nor remunerated for my role.' Semane said that although her name appeared on the minister's list of panel members, she only participated in selecting SETA accounting authorities - not board chairpersons. 'The minister's list of panel members was all-inclusive and did not distinguish between those involved in different selection processes,' she said. 'I was not paid any additional remuneration for my role in recommending accounting authorities.' Solani, who was Nkabane's adviser, also denied orchestrating the appointment process. 'I confirm that I did not receive any payments, allowances, or investments in this matter,' he said. Sishi distanced himself further, saying that while he supported the idea of appointing chairpersons, legislation did not permit him to do so. 'I only saw the list of chairpersons at the same time as everyone else during a meeting with the National Skills Authority… I had no prior knowledge of who would be on that list.' The trio emphasised that the panel never convened and they had no insight into how the names were selected. Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie said testimonies confirmed that the panel never existed. 'It's clear the intention was there, but this process was never formalised,' Letsie said. 'The minister had every right under Section 111A of the Skills Development Act to make appointments. She could have simply said she was taking responsibility and restarting the process.' Letsie said the committee would draft a preliminary report and may offer Nkabane a chance to respond. He also questioned the usefulness of relying on a non-legislated process like an 'independent panel.' 'There was never a panel that was set…We are going to continue addressing these administrative issues with the department.' IOL News earlier reported that MPs were considering summoning Nkabane, now a private member, to explain why ANC-linked individuals were appointed to the controversial boards. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MP Sanele Zondo said it was unfair to block members from raising concerns. 'There was a public outcry over inconsistencies and flawed processes. We are trying to determine whether she lied under oath or misinterpreted the facts,' Zondo said. The Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Karabo Khakhau demanded access to the legal opinion guiding the committee's decision-making. 'Once we all have that, I'll call for a caucus break so parties can consult their legal teams,' she said. 'There's nothing stopping us from engaging Solani, Ngwenya, and the others - or from calling Nkabane to appear again.' DA MP Désirée van der Walt added: 'Everyone summoned appeared based on their role. We're not going to let this go.' Patriotic Alliance (PA) MP Ashley Sauls agreed that Nkabane must be held accountable. 'The question is whether that accountability should continue in this committee. There are other parliamentary processes where she can appear,' Sauls added. [email protected] IOL Politics
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkosinathi Sishi defends against accusations in SETA board chair appointments controversy
Higher Education Department Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi says he is unfairly placed in a position where not even the slightest indication by those who were involved includes him in what they say about SETA board chairpersons' appointments. Image: Department of Higher Education Higher Education Department Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi on Tuesday bitterly complained about being unfairly implicated in the work of the panel that recommended cancelled appointments of chairpersons of Sector and Education Training Authorities (SETAs) boards. This is after ANC MP Tshepo Louw said Sishi must be brought to book for misleading Parliament when the Higher Education Portfolio Committee interrogated officials who were part of the panel, but could not attend the meeting last Friday. Sishi was on the hot seat after the ANC failed in its push to quash the investigation because former minister Nobuhle Nkabane was no longer a minister, but in a vote by MPs, it was decided that officials testify and Nkabane be summoned to give her side of the story. Louw highlighted that Deputy Director-General Rhulani Ngwenya deposed a statement that following consultation between Sishi and Nkabane, a decision was taken to relocate the responsibility of managing nominations for non-executive board members of entities to her directorate. 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 ✕ He insisted that Ngwenya had indicated that Sishi was quite informed and involved in the process. 'I conclude that part of the problems at the department is the DG, who had a duty to advise and play an administrative oversight role,' he said. In response, Sishi asked for protection from committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie. He stated that it was implied he may have influenced certain officials to miss the previous meeting while he was out of the country and someone else was acting in his position. Sishi said even though Ngwenya apologised for the confusion over the cancellation of the committee meeting, no apology was made to him. 'Some members of this committee have tried to move out from the purpose of the questions to try to suggest I was involved, or I might have participated. I have indicated consistently all the time I have been here that I really would like to appoint chairpersons … but the law does not allow me to do so.' He said that on the day he saw the list of chairpersons to be appointed, he was with everybody else. 'There was absolutely no time to intervene at that stage. I feel I am unfairly placed in a position where not even the slightest indication by those who were involved includes the DG in what they say, but some people want to include the DG. I think it is unfair,' Sishi said. Earlier, Sishi indicated that he never saw the list of preferred candidates nor received an email other than when it was tabled at a meeting with the National Skills Authority. 'I never even knew who would eventually be on that list. I accepted that the law does not allow me to appoint a board chair. If we were to be part of the panel, it would be at the discretion of the accounting authority,' he said. Testifying before the committee, chief of staff Nelisiwe Semane, ministerial advisor Asisipho Solani, and Ngwenya denied being involved in the work of the panel despite being named by Nkabane as panellists. Semane said her name appeared on the list because Nkabane submitted a list that includes all the panels that she appointed since taking office. 'I did not participate in the selection and recommendation of SETAs accounting authority chairpersons but participated in the process for the recommendation of SETAs accounting authorities and not board chairpersons,' she said. Ngwenya said she was appointed to provide secretarial support to the panel. 'I viewed this as an assignment of duties rather than a formal appointment, and as such, did not deem it necessary to formally accept the assignment in writing,' she said. Solani, who was assigned to the nomination committee, said: 'I discharged this role in my capacity as advisor to the minister and no compensation beyond my regular salary was provided.' The trio said the panel never convened any formal meeting and was not aware how the names of recommended chairpersons came about. Sishi said it was very clear from what the officials were saying that there weren't any meetings that were held. 'Clearly, the names considered could have come from the accounting authority, who produced the list tabled to the National Skills Authority,' said Sishi. Letsie said it was clear from the testimonies by the officials that there was never a panel for SETA boards. 'Maybe, there was an intention to have a panel. Maybe it was not implemented in the true sense of the word,' he said. 'This thing could have been easily avoided. If there was no panel, there was no need to say there was a panel,' added Letsie.
