By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has formally engaged senior counsel Terry Motau to address a public misunderstanding concerning his involvement in the appointment process of chairpersons to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
In a written communication, Nkabane reached out to Motau to seek mutual clarity on the matter and to offer an unreserved apology for the reputational discomfort caused by recent media commentary and administrative oversights linked to the department’s recalibrated SETA appointment process.
“There was never any intent to misrepresent Advocate Motau’s role or to cause harm to his professional standing. This engagement was undertaken in the spirit of transparency, mutual respect and professional courtesy,” the communication read.
The misunderstanding stemmed from widespread public speculation and miscommunication around the role Motau was believed to have played in the evaluation and recommendation of candidates for the SETA Accounting Authority Boards.
The office of the minister initially and incorrectly suggested that he was a formal part of the panel overseeing the appointments, a perception that Nkabane clarified was never intended by her office.
The department has recently been overhauling the governance structures of SETAs as part of broader efforts to ensure integrity and performance in the skills development sector.
Central to this initiative has been the recalibration of how chairpersons of SETA boards, known formally as Accounting Authorities, are appointed.
This includes the formation of expert panels intended to evaluate and recommend individuals based on their qualifications, governance track records, and leadership capacity.
According to Nkabane, a key source of confusion arose from an internal miscommunication: she had not been made fully aware that finalising or concluding Motau’s possible role in this process would have required formal engagement through legal channels.
The minister indicated that the gap in communication contributed significantly to the oversight.
Motau, who is a respected figure in legal and public service circles, is best known for his high-profile forensic work, including his role in investigating corruption within financial institutions such as the VBS scandal.
The suggestion of his involvement in the SETA process carried significant weight, further amplifying the public interest and concern.
The minister confirmed that the matter has now been “constructively resolved”, with a mutual understanding reached between both parties.
She expressed appreciation for Motau’s professionalism in the handling of the issue and reaffirmed her respect for his long-standing contribution to public service and the legal fraternity.
In line with parliamentary accountability and the constitutional imperative for transparency, Nkabane committed to formally briefing the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education about the matter.
This briefing will include a detailed explanation of how the miscommunication occurred and what steps have been taken to ensure clarity and procedural compliance in the ongoing SETA board appointments.
The incident comes at a sensitive time for the department, as it attempts to reposition SETAs to play a more dynamic and responsive role in addressing youth unemployment, skills mismatches, and economic transformation.
The department has faced growing scrutiny from civil society, labour unions and opposition parties over alleged inefficiencies and governance lapses within SETA structures.
The minister concluded by reiterating her department’s resolve to rebuild public trust in SETA governance and to drive ethical leadership across all facets of the post-school education and training system.
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