Latest news with #Setas
The Herald
2 days ago
- General
- The Herald
'It was never my intention to evade accountability or undermine parliament — Nkabane
Higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane has accepted that her conduct was wrong when she appeared before a portfolio committee in parliament this week. TimesLIVE on Thursday reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked Nkabane to write him a report on her conduct when she appeared in parliament and refused to answer questions relating to the process she followed on the appointment of chairs of sector education and training authorities (Setas). Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, on Thursday revealed that Nkabane had been requested to submit a detailed report on the appointment process, as well as an explanation of her conduct before the portfolio committee. Nkabane's demeanour was deemed disrespectful when she refused to answer questions and referred the chair of the committee to Google for answers to a question she was asked. Nkabane was criticised for appearing to be nonchalant and seemingly chewing gum the entire time she was before the committee. 'Upon reflection, and having considered the feedback received from various stakeholders, I acknowledge that the situation could have been handled differently. I take this opportunity to express my commitment to strengthening the relationship between the ministry, the department, and the portfolio committee,' said Nkabane in a statement released by her department. Ramaphosa had taken issue with Nkabane's behaviour and wanted her to explain herself as he believed government officials should always uphold standards when appearing before structures such as parliament. Magwenya said Ramaphosa expected ministers, deputy ministers and senior executives in the public sector to conduct themselves professionally, transparently and cordially in engaging parliament and other accountability structures. In her statement, Nkabane said she had intended to maintain what she said was a 'constructive, respectful and professional' working relationship with parliament. 'I remain committed to the principles of accountability, good governance and co-operative governance as outlined in our constitution and parliamentary protocols,' she said. 'It was never my intention to evade accountability or undermine the decorum of parliament. I will continue to lead with humility, and I value the critical role of parliament in providing oversight to ensure our sector delivers effectively for the benefit of all South Africans.' TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'It was never my intention to evade accountability or undermine parliament — Nkabane
Higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane has accepted that her conduct was wrong when she appeared before a portfolio committee in parliament this week. TimesLIVE on Thursday reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked Nkabane to write him a report on her conduct when she appeared in parliament and refused to answer questions relating to the process she followed on the appointment of chairs of sector education and training authorities (Setas). Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, on Thursday revealed that Nkabane had been requested to submit a detailed report on the appointment process, as well as an explanation of her conduct before the portfolio committee. Nkabane's demeanour was deemed disrespectful when she refused to answer questions and referred the chair of the committee to Google for answers to a question she was asked. Nkabane was criticised for appearing to be nonchalant and seemingly chewing gum the entire time she was before the committee. 'Upon reflection, and having considered the feedback received from various stakeholders, I acknowledge that the situation could have been handled differently. I take this opportunity to express my commitment to strengthening the relationship between the ministry, the department, and the portfolio committee,' said Nkabane in a statement released by her department. Ramaphosa had taken issue with Nkabane's behaviour and wanted her to explain herself as he believed government officials should always uphold standards when appearing before structures such as parliament. Magwenya said Ramaphosa expected ministers, deputy ministers and senior executives in the public sector to conduct themselves professionally, transparently and cordially in engaging parliament and other accountability structures. In her statement, Nkabane said she had intended to maintain what she said was a 'constructive, respectful and professional' working relationship with parliament. 'I remain committed to the principles of accountability, good governance and co-operative governance as outlined in our constitution and parliamentary protocols,' she said. 'It was never my intention to evade accountability or undermine the decorum of parliament. I will continue to lead with humility, and I value the critical role of parliament in providing oversight to ensure our sector delivers effectively for the benefit of all South Africans.'
Daily Maverick
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Minister withdraws recent appointments of chairpersons for Seta boards amid claims of nepotism, corruption
Following questions and backlash from MPs about the appointments of the chairpersons of the Seta boards that include Gwede Mantashe's son, Minister of Higher Education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has withdrawn the appointments with immediate effect. Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has withdrawn the recent appointments of chairpersons to Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards, following mounting backlash from members of Parliament. The storm broke after leaked information revealed that Buyambo Mantashe — the son of Minister Gwede Mantashe — had been appointed chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta. The appointment sparked an immediate outcry, with MPs demanding answers. Among the other contentious appointees were former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and former ANC provincial deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu — names that only added fuel to the fire, raising fresh concerns over ANC cadre deployment. These appointments caused chaos during the committee meeting on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, when the EFF's Sihle Lonzi was evicted from the meeting after he questioned the Department of Higher Education about the appointments, which he labelled 'corruption'. Nkabane has now withdrawn the appointments and decided to recalibrate the process — which was overseen by an independent panel. 'I have taken the decision to withdraw previous appointments in response to public concerns. Further, I take this decision in the interest of good governance, transparency to ensure accountability of the appointment process,' said Nkabane in a statement. Nkabane said that she would be issuing a Government Gazette calling for nominations for a limited run of seven days. A new independent panel would be established to process the nominations and recommend candidates. Setas facilitate skills development through programmes like learnerships and internships. In 2024, Nkabane issued a call for nominations for the appointment of chairpersons of accounting authorities for 21 Setas, who would serve a five-year term, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030. 'There must be accountability' After being evicted from the committee meeting for questioning the previous leaked appointments of chairpersons, Lonzi told Daily Maverick that he welcomed the withdrawal of the appointments and called for accountability and consequences for this issue. 'We are still going to follow up on what happened to the other process… we welcome that it will now be restarted. Sons of the minister and his allies are not going to [benefit from] favouritism and nepotism. All South Africans will have an opportunity to apply. We are going to find out how Gwede Mantashe's son found himself on that list to begin with. People cannot commit corruption, and when they are caught they withdraw decisions,' said Lonzi. He told Daily Maverick that what Letsie did to prevent him from asking a question was wrong, and said it will be followed up. 'We feel very strongly that there is no way a chairperson of higher education can behave in such an unethical manner, refusing members to ask very critical questions which deal with accountability and transparency,' said Lonzi. The DA's Karabo Khakhau also wrote to the chairperson of the committee, Tebogo Letsie, raising concerns about these appointments. 'Seta boards play a vital role in skills development and economic empowerment. They are not ANC cadre deployment havens, nor should they be misused as rewards for political loyalty,' said Khakhau. In a statement, the National Tertiary Education Union also welcomed the minister's withdrawal of the Seta boards. 'The minister must still account as to why and how this mess took place. We welcome the correction, but that does not absolve her from accounting,' read the statement. DM
Daily Maverick
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
EFF's Sihle Lonzi evicted from Parliament after challenging Seta board appointments
Chaos broke out at a hearing of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education when EFF MP Sihle Lonzi was forcibly removed after raising concerns about leaked Seta board appointments. Tensions ran high in Parliament on Tuesday, 14 May during a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training when Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sihle Lonzi questioned the department's director-general, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, about a leaked list of newly appointed chairpersons to Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards. Lonzi questioned the transparency and political impartiality of the Seta board appointments. However, the committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie (ANC), intervened, saying the minister of higher education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, who was absent, would address the issue later. Letsie noted that the committee had previously decided to defer the discussion until the minister's appearance, a decision Lonzi missed due to his late arrival. The situation escalated into a heated exchange, with Lonzi accusing the chairperson of shielding the department from accountability. 'This chairperson is protecting corruption,' shouted Lonzi. 'The son of [Minerals and Petroleum Resources] Minister Gwede [Mantashe] gets to be appointed illegally in Setas, and now we are being thrown out because this chairperson is protecting corruption,' said Lonzi as parliament security evicted him from the meeting. ANC member Gaolatlhe Kgabo shouted at Lonzi while he was being evicted, 'You think you can come here and tell us what to do? We cannot be dictated to by an individual.' Skills development Setas facilitate skills development through programmes like learnerships and internships. In 2024, Nkabane issued a call for nominations for the appointment of chairpersons of accounting authorities for 21 Setas, who would serve a five-year term, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030. The leaked Seta board list, seen by Daily Maverick, includes Gwede Mantashe's son Buyambo Mantashe, who has been appointed chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta. Also named are former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and ex-ANC provincial deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu. Lonzi told Daily Maverick that Letsie was using the committee to settle ANC internal scores. 'He wants to appear to be strong, a person of accountability, but once you touch those that are going to impact his factional interests within the ANC, he wants to come as a defence. He's turning that committee into a toothless dog.' Letsie confirmed that the committee had agreed to write to Nkabane following a letter by committee member Karabo Khakhau (DA) calling for the minister to be summoned urgently to explain the appointments. Khakhau wrote to Letsie that: 'These appointments raise serious concerns about the politicisation of institutions meant to serve all South Africans. Seta boards play a vital role in skills development and economic empowerment. They are not ANC cadre deployment havens, nor should they be misused as rewards for political loyalty.' Letsie defended his handling of the committee session, stating: 'He [Lonzi] first arrived late, there was no apology and then after members had agreed on the matter of Setas, he wanted to defy that decision. He just wanted to grandstand today because he felt left out by the letter of the DA that was making the rounds.' DM
