Minister Nobuhle Nkabane
By Thabo Mosia
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has withdrawn the appointments of chairpersons to the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards. This decision comes after fierce opposition from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), who slammed the process as a clear case of political favoritism and nepotism. The controversy erupted over allegations that the appointees, including the son of ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe, were hand-picked ANC loyalists, sparking a public and political firestorm that forced the minister to backtrack.
SETAs: The Backbone of Skills Development
SETAs are a cornerstone of South Africa’s education and training system. Set up under the Skills Development Act of 1998, these bodies focus on building skills in specific industries like manufacturing, banking, and transport. They manage training programmes, fund learnerships, and work to close the skills gap that holds back the country’s economy. Each SETA is run by a board that brings together employers, trade unions, and other key players, with the chairperson playing a vital role in steering the organisation.
The appointment of these chairpersons is no small matter. They shape how SETAs tackle unemployment, empower workers, and boost industries. When Minister Nkabane announced her initial picks, the stakes were high—and so was the scrutiny.
A List That Raised Eyebrows
The trouble started with the names on Minister Nkabane’s list. Among the appointees were:
• Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC heavyweight Gwede Mantashe, tapped to chair the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (MERSETA).
• Nomusa Dube-Ncube, former KwaZulu-Natal Premier, lined up for the Banking SETA (BANKSETA).
• Siboniso Mbhele, Head of the KZN Department of Transport, slated for the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA).
• Loyiso Lugayeni Masuku, ANC Deputy Regional Secretary and wife of prominent ANC figure Bandile Masuku, appointed to the Food and Beverages SETA (FOODBEV).
The list didn’t stop there. Other names with strong ANC ties included:
• Thembinikos Josopu (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport SETA – CATHSSETA), linked to the National Development Agency.
• Gwebinkundla Qonde (Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority – CHIETA), a former Director General and advisor to Gwede Mantashe.
• Philemon Mapulane (Insurance SETA – INSETA), a former ANC MP and Deputy Minister.
• Amanda Mapena (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations – QCTO), a former KZN MEC.
• Micheni Mbuyakhulu (Services SETA), another ex-KZN MEC.
Opposition parties quickly cried foul, pointing to a pattern of “cadre deployment”—the ANC’s long-standing practice of placing loyalists in public roles. The inclusion of Buyambo Mantashe, in particular, fuelled claims of nepotism, with critics questioning his qualifications for such a critical post.
EFF’s Sihle Lonzi Takes a Stand—and Gets Removed
The tension boiled over on 14 May 2025 during a Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training meeting. EFF MP Sihle Lonzi demanded answers from the Department of Higher Education’s Director General about Buyambo Mantashe’s appointment. Before he could get a response, Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie shut him down and called in security. Video footage of Lonzi being forcibly removed spread like wildfire, turning a heated debate into a national scandal.
The EFF hit back hard. National Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo called it an “abuse of power” and a “violent suppression of accountability.” “Let it be known that Commissar Lonzi’s only ‘crime’ was demanding accountability,” Thambo said. The party accused Letsie of shielding corruption and demanded a probe into his actions, alongside a full parliamentary investigation into the SETA appointments.
Lonzi took to X to vent his frustration. On 14 May 2025, he posted: “The Minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane, was the Deputy Minister of Gwede Mantashe in DMRE. We are not surprised that she has not only flooded ALL SETA Boards with Gwede stooges in the ANC, she has even appointed his BLOOD SON as Board Chair. Are these people CRAZY?” The next day, he claimed victory, writing: “We are reliably informed that President Ramaphosa has cracked the whip! He has instructed the Minister of Higher Education to restart the entire process. We are shaking them!”
DA Piles On the Pressure
The DA wasn’t far behind. On 13 May 2025, MP Karabo Khakhau wrote to Letsie, urging him to summon Minister Nkabane to explain herself. In her letter, she said: “Majority of the names raise a serious question of the minister’s political connection to the desired board chairperson appointees.” She insisted the committee scrutinise the list to keep SETA boards free from “political engineering.”
Khakhau didn’t mince words online either. On X, she posted: “Higher Ed Minister Nkabane appoints KZN ANC cadres and Mantashe’s son to SETA Boards. These appointments raise serious concerns about the politicisation of institutions meant to serve all South Africans. SETAs are not ANC cadre deployment havens.” The DA’s push added weight to the growing chorus demanding accountability.
Minister Nkabane Backs Down
By 15 May 2025, the pressure proved too much. Minister Nkabane announced the immediate withdrawal of the appointments. In a detailed statement, she said: “Following broader consultations with stakeholders in the post school education and training sector and their counsel regarding the appointment of the Chairpersons of the Boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), I have decided to recalibrate the process – which was overseen by an independent panel.”
She admitted to public concerns, adding: “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.” A new seven-day nomination window would open, guided by a fresh independent panel focused on merit, skills, and diversity in race, gender, youth, and disability representation.
Nkabane also defended the original appointees’ credentials, noting: “From 20 SETA Board Chairs that were previously recommended, there were three Doctoral Degrees (NQF Level 10); at least 15 Masters Degrees (NQF 09); and two medical doctors. Amongst others, their competencies ranged from engineers; chartered accountants; auditors; advocates; medical doctors and governance experts.” Still, she said, transparency trumped qualifications in this case.
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