By Amy Musgrave
Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has withdrawn the appointment of the board chairpersons of the country’s various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
In a statement on Thursday night, the minister said she had made the decision following public concerns.
“I have decided to recalibrate the process – which was overseen by an independent panel. I call on all relevant constituencies to nominate candidates,” the statement read.
“The integrity of the process for appointments will be made in terms of the guidelines as outlined in the Skills Development Act, 1998 as amended.
I have taken the decision to withdraw previous appointments in response to public concerns.”
Nkabane said she had also taken the decision in the interest of good governance and transparency to ensure accountability of the appointment process.
A list of the chairs was leaked earlier this week. Various political parties took issue with the appointment of Buyambo Mantashe, who is the son of ANC chairperson and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, as the chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA.
There have also been questions around the appointment of Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the former premier of KwaZulu-Natal, as chairperson of Banking SETA, and Siboniso Mbhele, the current HOD of the KwaZulu-Natal transport department to the Transport Education Training Authority board.
The minister said she would now reopen the process by issuing a Government Gazette calling for nominations for a limited run of seven days.
She will also establish a new independent panel to process the nominations and recommend candidates.
“This process will put emphasis on merit, competencies and relevant experiences – with balanced representations in terms of race, gender, youth and persons with disabilities. Similar to the previous process, all recommended candidates will have to pass the necessary screening and vetting processes,” Nkabane said.
The minister said that in the interest of transparency and good governance, she felt it was necessary to present the data of qualifications of previously recommended Board Chairs.
From 20 SETA Board Chairs that were previously recommended, there were three Doctoral Degrees (NQF Level 10), at least 15 master’s degrees (NQF 09) and two medical doctors. Amongst others, their competencies ranged from engineers, chartered accountants, auditors, advocates, medical doctors and governance experts.
Nkabane said she intended to present the new board chairs the shortest period possible.
INSIDE EDUCATION
