By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has extended the deadline for nominations of chairpersons to the boards of the country’s 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
The new deadline of 3 July 2025 has been confirmed in a Government Gazette notice.
The deadline was meant to be 12 June.
This follows a turbulent few weeks in which the minister withdrew a list of previously appointed SETA board chairpersons after intense public and parliamentary backlash.
Critics, including members of the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters, decried the list as politically motivated, citing the inclusion of high-profile ANC figures and their associates.
Among the withdrawn appointees were Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, and former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
Their appointments had triggered accusations of cadre deployment and led to confrontations in Parliament, including the dramatic ejection of EFF MP Sihle Lonzi for demanding answers.
In response to mounting criticism, Nkabane scrapped the appointments and pledged to restart the process transparently and inclusively.
The government notice outlines stringent nomination requirements. Nominees must possess at least an NQF level 8 qualification and demonstrate sector-specific expertise, leadership capability, and an understanding of the national skills development system.
Preference will be given to candidates who support demographic representativity in line with national policy, particularly women, youth, persons with disabilities, and individuals from previously disadvantaged groups.
The appointed chairpersons will serve a five-year term from their date of appointment until 31 March 2030.
Stakeholders submitting nominations must include a comprehensive dossier: a motivating letter, the nominee’s signed acceptance, certified ID and qualifications, a CV and a declaration of interest.
Importantly, individuals who were nominated under the initial call earlier this year may be renominated if they remain interested in being considered.
The extended deadline follows persistent parliamentary scrutiny.
Speaking to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Nkabane previously defended the original appointment process as “legally sound and beyond reproach”.
She noted that the previous list was selected by an independent panel and included several candidates with PhDs and master’s degrees.
However, she admitted that public outcry over perceived political interference necessitated a reset.
Nkabane told MPs that the decision to withdraw the appointments was not because of any flaws in the process, but because the public felt the list lacked impartiality.
Despite her defence, MPs from across the political spectrum challenged the minister’s claims, asking how a process she insisted was flawless could require such drastic reversal.
The final list of new SETA chairpersons is expected to be presented in the coming months, following thorough vetting and consultation.
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