Pretoria – Amid growing criticism, Dr. Noble Nkabane, Minister of Higher Education and Training, has overturned the appointment of the chairman of the Board of Directors of Sector Education and Training (SETAS).
Earlier this week, the list of appointments to the SETA committee revealed shocking political patronage along with Loyalists of the African National Congress (ANC) including Buyambo Mantashe, son of party chair and energy minister Gwede Mantashe, and former Kwazulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
However, late Thursday (May 15, 2025), Minister Nkabane rescinded the controversial appointment.
“I have made the decision to withdraw my previous appointment in response to public concern,” Minister Nkabane said.
“In addition, we will make this decision for excellent governance and transparency to ensure accountability in the appointment process.”
This comes after the leaked schedule raised eyebrows and caused criticism.
Related: Minister Nkabane appointed ANC executives, son of Gwede Mantashe, to Seta Boards.
Karabo Khakhau, a member of the Democratic Union (DA) MP and Committee on Higher Education, said:
“We ask Minister Nkabane to explain why qualified South Africans are on the sidelines for connected executives.”
Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) MP Sihle Lonzi was forced to be removed from the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee after questioning the director about the appointment of ANC Chairman Gwede Mantashe's son to the SETA board.
Related: EFF MP forces to remove after challenge DG to SETA role in Gwede Mantashe Son
Minister Nkabane overturned the appointment under the barrage of CRTISICIS, saying:
“We call on all relevant constituencies to nominate candidates.
“The integrity of the appointment process will be done in terms of revised guidelines, as outlined in the Skills Development Act of 1998.
“In this respect, I will resume by issuing the government's official gazette and asking for a limited run appointment for seven days.”
Minister Nkabane said he will process the nominations and establish a new independent panel to recommend candidates.
“This process focuses on merit, abilities and related experiences with balanced expression in terms of race, gender, youth and people with disabilities,” Minister Nkabane said.
“Like the previous process, all recommended candidates must pass the required screening and review process.
“We feel that we need to present previously recommended board chair qualification data for transparency and excellent governance.”
There were three PhDs (NQF Level 10) from the 20 SETA board chairs previously recommended. at least 15 Masters degrees (NQF 09); 2 doctors.
Among other things, their abilities spanned engineers, chartered accountants, auditors, advocates, physicians and governance experts.
“It is my intention to present a new board chair in the shortest possible time,” Minister Nkabane said.
In response to the withdrawal of SETA appointments, the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK Party) expressed “strong condemnation of the minister” and “in response to the subsequent reversal of appointments, not in principle, but to the pressure of the MK Party and the rage of the masses.”
Nhlamulo Ndhlela, national spokesman for the MK Party, added:
“The withdrawn list of SETA board appointments was controlled by suspected qualifying ANC dispatchers and was equivalent to Chronism.
“We ask the Minister to explain the basis for the initial appointment being made and provide insight into who was consulted and the qualifications that the original candidate has.”
