By Akani Nkuna
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the National Skills Fund (NSF) launched a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system on Thursday night, promising to end years of manual bottlenecks and enable real-time monitoring of billions of rands in skills-development spending.
The rollout, which DHET Minister Buti Manamela punted as the centrepiece of the NSF turnaround strategy, was launched at the Velmore Hotel and Spa Conference Centre in Johannesburg.
“For too long, the NSF was paralysed by manual systems. The ERP system is now a cornerstone of our turnaround strategy, enabling real-time performance monitoring. Whatever project, we will be able to monitor it in real time, and also automation of disbursements,” Manamela said during his keynote address.
“It further enables improved compliance and audit trails. This, importantly, is about ensuring that every rand that is spent is traceable, purposeful, but also that we are able to account for it. This system is also able to help with efficiency and protecting NSF staff who are on the ground.”
The first phase of the ERP system, representing 25% of the total project, went live on October 31. Three further phases are scheduled until full implementation is reached.
Manamela said deeper legislative and institutional reforms would still be required alongside the technology upgrade.
He used the event to push for expanded digital and artificial intelligence training centres and closer collaboration with TVET and community colleges.
“NSF has to champion the process of putting digital infrastructure in place to make sure that we go online with our learning. We are shifting towards a catalytic model, not just distributing money but shaping inclusive growth when it comes to transformation and skills development,” Manamela said.
He said the NSF remained on track to produce 30,000 artisans a year under a 2022 programme backed by R2.39 billion in funding that is currently upskilling more than 10,000 trainees.
“This is not just about outputs, it is also about rebuilding the pipeline of skilled technicians for sectors such as energy, construction, automotive, and manufacturing,” he added.
Manamela said that the NSF had disbursed R4.5 billion in the latest reporting period, with R4.3 billion directed to education and training initiatives that reached 56,277 learners — including 35,000 from rural areas, more than 38,000 women, and over 52,800 African beneficiaries.
He also issued a warning on financial discipline.
“Now we have consequence management in place, irregular expenditure from prior years is being cleared, skills development providers are being held to account. We are reforming the core systems that enable transparency from this ERP digitalisation to performance-based funding,” Manamela said.
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