Latest news with #SectorEducationandTrainingAuthorities
Daily Maverick
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
A call to clean up and deliver — Deputy Minister Gondwe challenges Setas to start showing their worth
Embroiled in allegations of corruption and nepotism and students failing to complete their in-service training due to stipends not being paid, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mimmy Gondwe says the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) need to start making a difference to unemployment. The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mimmy Gondwe, said the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas), which had been under scrutiny due to allegations of corruption and nepotism, including former minister Nobuhle Nkabane making appointments of ANC politicians as chairpersons of 21 Seta boards, must start making a difference in unemployment. The new minister, Buti Manamela, would make things happen, said Gondwe. On 30 July 2025 Gondwe was in Kariega (Uitenhage) in the Eastern Cape visiting the CET College's Phakamile Community Learning Centre, and participated in Mandela Month outreach activities, at which she distributed hygiene packs, helped paint the building, and cleaned classrooms alongside the community. The college had dilapidated infrastructure with a few broken windows, classrooms without ceilings, and peeling paint. During the visit, Gondwe was accompanied by representatives from the 21 different setas, including the Agricultural seta, the Health and Welfare seta, and the embattled Services seta that is embroiled in a R163-million contract scandal for biometric units meant to track learner attendance and manage stipend payments. After her address at the college, Daily Maverick asked Gondwe about the importance of ensuring that Setas remained stable after allegations of corruption, a lack of stipends for trainees, and issues relating to the previous minister, Nkabane. 'The fact of the matter is that Setas have to start making a dent in the rate of unemployment. They have to start making a difference… I think with the new minister, he understands and grasps that it will be his clear call to the Setas that you must start making a difference now. 'Yes, some of them have been embroiled in allegations of corruption and maladministration, etc. but it does not take away from the role that they can play if they are properly managed, and they can play a fundamental role,' said Gondwe. Setas are meant to facilitate skills development through learning programmes like learnerships, skills programmes and internships. However, they have been under scrutiny due to allegations of corruption and failing to deliver on their mandates. Read more: Broken promises — how SA's Seta system leaves young job seekers behind. Gondwe said she had direct oversight in a few Setas, and that she had challenged them to ensure their impact was visible in the economy. 'It's not enough for you to say we've managed to reach 20,000 students, but where are those students? You've got to take an interest in where they end up because our success as a sector doesn't lie in how many people we train or skill, but where they end up and whether we are skilling them in skills that are demanded and needed by the economy,' said Gondwe. Restoring hope Speaking about the positive drive by Gondwe and her department, Eastern Cape Community Education and Training (CET) College SRC chairperson Lihle Dlova said that it was monumental. 'She spoke of the fact that our existing challenges, like dilapidated infrastructure, food and nutrition, certification and the further development of CETs will be addressed as the years come. She's already on the way, on the journey to improve our lives and the lives of the students at large. We are a very big province and one of the poorest in the country, so this is exactly what we needed,' said Dlova. Meanwhile, the Services Seta's manager, Makhaya Blaai, who addressed the community, said they would work together with CETs because they provided education and held a valuable position in society. 'Not everyone can go to universities and study for three years; there need to be opportunities in CET colleges where people can come and acquire short skills to receive a qualification to get work… CET centres like these are critical because they are embedded in communities to uplift those who have been excluded from the traditional education and employment pathways,' said Blaai. DM
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
A VIEW OF THE WEEK: Putting brand Nkabane over serving students and SA
The façade of selflessness has slipped to show the narcissism beneath. When Nobuhle Nkabane stood to take an oath as minister in July 2024, she pledged faithfulness to SA, obedience to the constitution, and to put the duty of serving South Africans above all else. That promise lasted less than a year, as the façade of selflessness slipped to show the narcissism beneath. Nkabane has been accused of cronyism, corruption, and straight-up lying to parliament over appointments to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Seta) board, which included ANC members. When her great cover-up started to unravel, with the mentioned officials denying any involvement in the appointments, she seemed to swerve accountability by running from parliament. After nearly two months of pressure, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday booted her from Cabinet. She was supposed to appear before parliament on Tuesday, and concerns about what she might have said, if she did appear, might well have been the reason the president finally took action. Brand before South Africa Ramaphosa's announcement was made without praise, or thanks for Nkabane. Something that must have really stung her. Hours after her dismissal, Nkabane was suddenly available and ready to do an interview with a broadcaster to 'clear' her name. She spoke about her desperation to appear before parliament to tell her side of the story — an institution she was allergic to for several weeks. More concerning was her repeated and obsessive reference to her 'brand'. 'This goes beyond my position in parliament. It is all about my reputation. I worked for my brand, and I must clear my name and my brand,' she said in defiance of calls for her to resign from parliament over the saga. 'What is more important is my reputation. I don't want it tarnished. I am not corrupt. I will never be corrupt,' she said at another point. Nobody likes to be judged, but when you are a public figure who has committed to putting the interests of the country ahead of yourself, that judgment is not only expected, but is compulsory. It is called accountability. ALSO READ: From tiger to a pouncing police cat? Ramaphosa is remixing the 'corrupt' until a new caretaker arrives Schemes and criminals Accountability seems to be in short supply when corrupt schemes come crashing down. One of those schemes began to shake this week when four people were arrested for the murder of musician and businessman Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. Among those arrested was businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe, who was among those mentioned in KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's claims of criminal infiltration within the police. The firearms used in the artist's death were linked to 10 other high-profile cases, suggesting that the web of crime is extensive and often protected. Where it isn't protected, the ball is being dropped by the police at grassroots level. This was seen in the investigating officer in the bail application of Tiffany Meek, accused of murdering her son Jayden-Lee, who was unable to verify addresses for her bail application, and so was not able to gauge whether she is a flight risk. Police are often overworked, under-resourced, or lacking in skills. It is something they share with organisations in several departments, including the one Nkabane once headed. These are the 'brands' and organisations we should be building and protecting, not that of an alleged dodgy former minister. NOW READ: A VIEW OF THE WEEK: Ramaphosa risks losing control of Cabinet
Daily Maverick
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Cracks in the skills system — allegations of corruption, waste, cover-ups in SA's Setas (Part 1)
South Africa's Sector Education and Training Authorities have once again landed in the headlines, this time over former higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane's bungled appointment panel. Allegations ranging from political interference and misleading Parliament, to questionable board appointments have set off a storm of public outrage, legal reviews and parliamentary scrutiny. A look beyond the immediate uproar over former higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane's bungled appointment panel reveals that South Africa's Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) are anything but recent. Long before Nkabane's tenure, these institutions were plagued by governance failures and corruption. Read more: Educated for leadership and engulfed by scandal, Minister Nkabane faces her sternest test. Damning case studies – on the Local Government Seta (LGSeta), the Health and Welfare Seta (HWSeta), and the Service Seta – reveal just how extensively public funds have been misused. LGSeta under fire for tender scandal and millions in wasteful spending The LGSeta has found itself entangled in controversy following a whistle-blower tip-off received by its current CEO, Ineeleng Molete. The whistle-blower, via former board chairperson Phumlani Mntambo, raised serious allegations of corruption, triggering a forensic investigation in 2022. The findings were staggering. Investigators uncovered systemic governance failures, including procurement irregularities linked to a R2.3-billion tender process riddled with noncompliance. The report also cited the irregular appointment of training providers, unauthorised discretionary grant allocations, financial bias and overpayments. Appearing before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education in May 2025, Molete confirmed that a criminal case had been opened with the Hawks but said LGSeta was unable to name those implicated while legal proceedings were ongoing. Daily Maverick followed up with LGSeta to understand whether the case was still active. Molete said it is pending further investigation by the Hawks, adding that 'no arrests of individuals have been made by SAPS'. Reports of financial mismanagement didn't end there. In the 2023/24 financial year, LGSeta recorded R39.7-million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure, including R172,000 on trip-related incidentals. Molete defended the spending, explaining that R39,519,356.83 related to discretionary grant contracts that expired on 31 March 2024. 'While funds were disbursed, no money was lost or unnecessarily paid. The initial concern was deemed invalid and has been removed in the current financial year,' he said. He added that R122,800.00 was for learners who had passed away during their programmes. 'Consequently, despite funds having been committed for their development, LGSeta could not fully achieve the intended value for money,' Molete said. Another R104,651.00 had gone to a professor invited on an LGSeta trip as a subject matter expert, while R39,272.13 had been used during an official travel trip. Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority The HWSeta recorded R1.72-million in wasteful expenditure in 2023, including unpaid stipends, accommodation for absent learners, post-resignation salaries and interest on overdue invoices. Irregular spending hit R2.8-million due to inflated purchase orders and payments to unregistered stakeholders, though an internal probe confirmed only R160,000 was formally irregular. HWSeta has opened legal action against organisations that withheld learner stipends, including Afrika Connect (R900,000), Ludziwo Foundation (R469,000), Remmogo VE (R166,000) and Lithala Financial Education (R989,000). Two additional lawsuits loom. Lerong Consulting (Pty) Ltd is suing HWSeta for R823,267 over an alleged contract breach, with legal costs of R800,000, while True Harvest College seeks damages for reputational and financial losses, anticipating R550,000 in legal fees. HWSeta spokesperson Rulleska Singh told Daily Maverick about the disciplinary measures taken against those who signed off on payments to entities not registered with CIPC and the current status of the legal proceedings. 'Where wrongdoing was established, disciplinary proceedings were concluded, resulting in dismissals of responsible personnel… The Lerong Consulting matter remains ongoing, with a trial date yet to be set. The True Harvest College case has a trial date scheduled for 2026,' said Singh. She added: 'When stipend misuse was identified through the organisation's tip-off hotline, immediate action was taken, including referrals to legal representatives and opening cases with the South African Police Service. Of the 302 learners affected by these incidents, 232 have been compensated thus far. Recovery processes continue for all outstanding amounts.' DM
Eyewitness News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa fires Nkabane as minister of higher education over SETA boards debacle
Nkabane's axing follows months of controversy over the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) board appointments that saw several African National Congress (ANC)-aligned individuals appointed. Her sacking also comes a day before she was set to appear before Parliament's higher education committee to explain the SETA board appointment process after failing to appear in the last two committee meetings. Minister Nobuhle Nkabane on Monday evening issued a statement confirming her removal as higher education minister. In the statement, she thanked the president for entrusting her with the responsibility to serve as minister of higher education. She said that it was a privilege to lead such a crucial portfolio and she remained committed to the service of South Africans in the country's development. The Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Karabo Khakhau had earlier on Monday called for her removal. "If she says that the ANC did not work with her, she must be willing to take the blame alone having master engineered this alone, which is highly unlikely. But the bottom line is that President Ramaphosa must fire her." It is not clear whether the committee will move forward with its meeting on Tuesday where Nkabane was set to appear, alongside other members of the panel who were involved in the initial evaluation and nomination of candidates to be SETA chairpersons.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The impact of NSFAS mismanagement on South African universities
Prof. Linda du Plessis The dysfunction at the heart of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) has been the topic of many recent media articles. This focus is needed, as it directly affects the academic journey and future of South Africa's most vulnerable students. However, the burden these failures place on the institutions tasked with delivering quality higher education—namely, the public universities—continues to receive little or no acknowledgment. For years, universities have had to carry the brunt of NSFAS mismanagement, often without any meaningful prior consultation or support. While Minister Nkabane and her department continue to promise reforms, universities remain on the receiving end of a crumbling system that is fast becoming unsustainable – not just for students, but for the institutions themselves. The NSFAS was designed to ensure that no student is denied access to higher education due to financial barriers. Yet, despite meticulous planning from universities, every academic year begins with chaos: delayed funding, defunding of students mid-year, and tens of thousands of students left in accommodation limbo. These issues do not affect only the students – they cripple university operations. Universities are not profit-driven institutions but operate as financially accountable public entities. The payment of municipal bills, maintenance of infrastructure, licences for an IT infrastructure to enable digital innovation, and the payment of salaries are but a few of the basic things that are expected of any well-managed institution. South Africa has no shortage of examples showing how years of limited maintenance have left once-functional infrastructure and office spaces unfit for use. When the NSFAS fails to disburse funds on time, what is then expected of a public university? Universities are forced into the untenable position of either blocking registrations or carrying the cost of registration and tuition, effectively becoming creditors in a relationship they never agreed to. When landlords stop accommodating students due to unpaid rent, the backlash is directed at universities. Institutions have had to extend registration deadlines, negotiate short-term payment terms with landlords, and manage rising legitimate student frustration and unrest. They have to manage a crisis not created by them. 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 Funding challenges affect the core existence of universities and disrupt teaching and learning. While the public sees burning tyres and angry slogans, what remains hidden is the massive operational toll this takes on institutions. Academic calendars are adjusted repeatedly, and these changes often come with additional cost implications. Although the budget allocation for higher education is increasing, most of the growth is directed towards funding the NSFAS, rather than expanding universities or advancing research and innovation. The situation within the SETAs adds another layer of strain. SETAs are tasked with facilitating skills development, and the potential impact of these bodies is enormous. However, political appointments and poor governance have rendered many of them ineffective. The recent allegations regarding the appointment of politically connected individuals are yet another example of how politics can be prioritised over merit and accountability in the higher-education and training sector. Universities depend on SETA partnerships for work-integrated learning placements, funding of graduate internships and industry collaboration. When SETAs fail, universities are again forced to fill the gap. The notion that universities are 'denying graduates access to the job market' because of student debt reflects a simple interpretation of a complex issue. Public universities would like to see all graduates making a contribution, either as employees or entrepreneurs, in various sectors of the economy. However, the universities cannot continue functioning if they are expected to provide a free service without financial planning, especially when government departments responsible for that funding are in disarray. Public universities are not just service providers, they are national assets tasked with transforming lives, producing research, driving innovation and shaping the future workforce of South Africa. It is therefore important to focus on the impact of funding challenges on institutions and the dysfunction it creates too. Reform will require more than cosmetic changes and promises. It requires a fundamental rethink of how to establish a sustainable financial aid model for students. It requires sound and accountable management. The financial stability, operational effectiveness and reputation of public universities are at stake. Sustaining excellence within a failing system is difficult.' Prof. Linda du Plessis is Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the North-West University (NWU).
