By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has welcomed the appointment of new Accounting Authorities (AAs) across all 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), as a critical milestone expected to restore stability, improve governance, and sharpen the focus of SETAs on national skills priorities.
Manamela said the establishment of the new boards was essential to ensure continuity in the execution of SETA mandates.
“The new governance cycle for SETAs provides an opportunity to strengthen accountability, improve performance, and align skills development more closely with the national priorities of job creation, industrialisation, the just energy transition and inclusive economic growth,” he said.
The new AAs have wasted no time in setting to work, with their immediate task being to recommend and appoint interim chief executive officers (CEOs) following the expiry of CEO contracts at the end of September.
Recruitment for permanent CEOs has already commenced, with appointments to be made in line with the provisions of the Skills Development Act and the SETA Standard Constitution.
Manamela confirmed that the department is also fast-tracking the appointment of chairpersons for each newly constituted Accounting Authority, with announcements expected in the coming weeks.
This will complete the governance structures and allow SETAs to fully focus on programme delivery.
The minister emphasised that avoiding leadership vacuums was crucial.
He explained that these appointments will ensure that SETAs remain fully functional and capable of responding to the skills needs of their sectors while broader governance matters are being finalised.
According to Manamela, the newly constituted Accounting Authorities reflect South Africa’s diversity, with gender parity, strong youth representation and significant participation from historically disadvantaged groups.
Members have been drawn from organised labour, business, community development organisations, professional bodies, government, and higher education institutions.
This variety of expertise, the minister argued, will ensure that SETA boards are not only inclusive but also grounded in the technical knowledge required to advance South Africa’s skills revolution.
He stressed the broad composition of the new Accounting Authorities, which gives SETAs the depth of experience and perspective needed to respond effectively to economic and social challenges; saying it would ensure that workers, employers, educators, and communities all have a voice in shaping the skills pipeline.
The announcement comes at a time when South Africa is grappling with high youth unemployment, slow industrial transformation, and the urgent need to develop skills for a just transition to renewable energy.
SETAs, established to drive training and skills development in 21 economic sectors, play a pivotal role in addressing these gaps.
Manamela said the new governance cycle was designed to better align SETA interventions with these pressing national challenges, committing to ensuring that they do not operate in silos but as part of an integrated skills ecosystem that supports growth and inclusion.
He added that the department would provide full support to the new Accounting Authorities to help them meet their responsibilities.
“I wish the newly appointed Accounting Authorities success in carrying out their responsibilities, and I assure them of the department’s full support in delivering on the skills development mandate,” the minister said.
This includes oversight to ensure that the substantial funds managed by SETAs are used efficiently and transparently.
The appointments mark a reset following controversy earlier in the year when former minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s attempt to appoint politically connected SETA board chairpersons sparked public outrage and parliamentary backlash.
That process was eventually withdrawn after allegations of procedural irregularities, leading to President Cyril Ramaphosa removing Nkabane from her post.
SETAs administer billions of rands annually to fund learnerships, apprenticeships, internships, and other training programmes, with their effectiveness being vital to closing the skills gap that continues to hold back economic growth.
Manamela insisted the appointments signal a turning point, insisting that through cooperation, the department can strengthen its skills pipeline and respond more effectively to the needs of the economy and society.
He expressed optimism that the new governance structures would provide the necessary leadership to meet the challenges, saying that the coming months will be crucial as interim CEOs are put in place, permanent appointments are made, and chairpersons formally assume their roles.
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