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Weekend Roundup | ‘Intimidation culture’ choking Services SETA, Gauteng launches specialised sports school, and more

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Weekend Roundup | ‘Intimidation culture’ choking Services SETA, Gauteng launches specialised sports school, and more

The administrator of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), Lehlogonolo Masoga, has condemned what he described as a culture of intimidation and victimisation of whistleblowers, warning that it undermines governance and cripples the entity’s performance.

Masoga said the climate discourages employees from speaking out against wrongdoing, allowing corruption and maladministration to persist unchecked.

“You can imagine that if employees are aware that there is a culture of intimidation in the organisation, it suppresses open engagement,” he said on Friday.

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“Intimidation culture” choking Services SETA, administrator warns

ALSO READ: Gauteng launches specialised sports school at Vorentoe

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane on Thursday launched the Vorentoe Sports School of Specialisation in Johannesburg, with the province using the event to showcase its 38th specialist school and a new private-sector investment in the campus.

The Gauteng Department of Education said ION Holdings would build new classrooms, upgrade parking and sports facilities, and contribute towards a new pavilion at the school, in efforts to link academic performance with elite sport development.

Chiloane said the launch marked “a massive milestone for education and school sports” in the province.

Gauteng launches specialised sports school at Vorentoe

ALSO READ: Gina tells funders to explain rejected start-up applications

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina has accused government-owned funding agencies of stifling innovation by rejecting start-up applications without feedback.

Speaking at the opening of Innovation Week at Nasrec, she said the state funders needed to stop dismissing applications without guidance and instead help entrepreneurs improve and resubmit them.

“To the funders, especially government-owned funding instruments like the Innovation Fund, the Industrial Development Corporation, the Public Investment Corporation, the National Empowerment Fund, and others, please stop this practice of rejecting people’s applications without informing them where their applications or business plans fell short,” Gina said.

Click the link below to read the full story:

Gina tells funders to explain rejected start-up applications

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‘Intimidation culture’ choking Services SETA, administrator warns

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‘Intimidation culture’ choking Services SETA, administrator warns

By Akani Nkuna

The administrator of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), Lehlogonolo Masoga, has condemned what he described as a culture of intimidation and victimisation of whistleblowers, warning that it undermines governance and cripples the entity’s performance.

Masoga said the climate discourages employees from speaking out against wrongdoing, allowing corruption and maladministration to persist unchecked.

“You can imagine that if employees are aware that there is a culture of intimidation in the organisation, it suppresses open engagement,” he said on Friday.

“Even when people see wrongdoing, they keep quiet because they fear severe punishment.”

He added that addressing these challenges is central to the administration’s mandate.

“These are some of the issues the administration seeks to address. Administration has been brought in as an instrument to respond to the challenges identified, including improving performance,” he said.

Masoga was speaking to the media at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in Pretoria, following a mid-term progress report by the Higher Education Minister on three SETAs placed under administration — Services SETA, Construction SETA and Local Government SETA.

His remarks come amid scrutiny over the dismissal of three senior Services SETA employees between 2017 and 2020, who were accused at the time of enabling irregularities.

Masoga rejected that characterisation, saying the employees were, in fact, whistleblowers who had raised concerns about alleged corruption and maladministration within the entity.

Lehloma Ramajoe, a former senior manager for special projects who later moved to chamber operations, was suspended on 20 July 2019 and subsequently charged following an investigation by a firm of attorneys.

According to Masoga, Ramajoe had made protected disclosures relating to alleged maladministration involving several individuals.

A review of records corroborated his account, and it was determined that he suffered “occupational detriment” as a result.

He is now eligible for remedial action in terms of Section 193.

Similarly, Thandi Mkhize, who served as a senior manager for quality assurance from 2002 until her dismissal in 2017, was found to have been unfairly targeted.

She had been charged with misconduct, including allegedly sharing information with union members and inciting resistance to performance management changes.

“Based on the facts before me, it has been concluded that Mkhize was deliberately targeted,” Masoga said, adding that she will be compensated.

The third case involves Tshepiso Mofokeng, a chamber manager since 2008, who was dismissed in August 2019 for allegedly failing to perform her duties.

However, a review found that she had been unfairly victimised after raising concerns about irregularities within the entity. She will also receive compensation.

Masoga said these decisions form part of a broader effort to restore governance and accountability at Services SETA.

“Restorative justice incorporates, among other elements, active participation by affected parties, taking responsibility and a commitment to repairing harm, as well as a victim-centred approach,” he said.

“It is for this reason that, on behalf of Services SETA, I take full responsibility for the actions and inactions of my predecessors and commit to dispensing justice to the victims of our previous decisions.”

He added that disciplinary and legal action against individuals implicated in corruption and financial mismanagement is under way, with investigations being conducted by the Public Protector and the Hawks.

While some suspects have been identified, Masoga said names would not be disclosed until cases are finalised.

“Until someone is found guilty, it would be inappropriate to publicly name individuals. We will wait for the appropriate time,” he said.

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Gauteng launches specialised sports school at Vorentoe

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Gauteng launches specialised sports school at Vorentoe

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane on Thursday launched the Vorentoe Sports School of Specialisation in Johannesburg, with the province using the event to showcase its 38th specialist school and a new private-sector investment in the campus.

The Gauteng Department of Education said ION Holdings would build new classrooms, upgrade parking and sports facilities, and contribute towards a new pavilion at the school, in efforts to link academic performance with elite sport development.

ALSO READ: Gina tells funders to explain rejected start-up applications

Chiloane said the launch marked “a massive milestone for education and school sports” in the province.

Vorentoe now joins Gauteng’s growing network of Schools of Specialisation, which are designed to develop talent in targeted disciplines while keeping learners in mainstream public education.

Vorentoe offers 11 sporting codes, including volleyball, hockey, tennis, netball, chess, cricket, soccer, rugby and athletics.

It’s facilities include a hockey field, cricket oval and tennis and netball courts.

During the launch, learners staged demonstrations across several sporting codes, while also presenting a custom-built sports app developed at the school.

Vorentoe has produced high-profile athletes including Banyana Banyana’s Amanda Nthandi and former Kaizer Chiefs player Itumeleng Shopane.

The boys’ cross-country team had been North Vaal champions for 15 years, while the girls’ team had won 13 titles in the last 15 years.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa calls for overhaul of SETA system

According to the department, Vorentoe posted a 94.1% matric pass rate in 2024 and improved that to 94.9% in 2025.

It said that the school would introduce sports-related subjects such as Sports Science and Sports Management, while learners would also be able to leave school with additional accredited skills through a Multi-Certification Skills Programme.

“Vorentoe Sports School of Specialisation is not just an institution, it is a beacon of hope, a centre of excellence, and a symbol of what can be achieved when knowledge, sport, and community come together,” Chiloane said.

“Let us continue to build on this proud legacy, ensuring that Vorentoe Sports SOS remains the key that unlocks success for generations to come.”

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Gina tells funders to explain rejected start-up applications

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Gina tells funders to explain rejected start-up applications

By Lebone Rodah Mosima 

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina has accused government-owned funding agencies of stifling innovation by rejecting start-up applications without feedback.

Speaking at the opening of Innovation Week at Nasrec, she said the state funders needed to stop dismissing applications without guidance and instead help entrepreneurs improve and resubmit them.

ALSO READ: Vaal crash driver Ayanda Dludla revives bail bid

“To the funders, especially government-owned funding instruments like the Innovation Fund, the Industrial Development Corporation, the Public Investment Corporation, the National Empowerment Fund, and others, please stop this practice of rejecting people’s applications without informing them where their applications or business plans fell short,” Gina said.

“As government funders, we have failed so many people; we have shut down so many dreams and prevented potential innovations because we have no care or patience to provide guidance, despite the business sense an application makes,” she said. “Let’s do better for our people.”

“Start-ups may not be good at paperwork, and hiring consultants to handle it can be expensive,” she said.

ALSO READ: New Joburg CBD tech campus bets on digital jobs for unemployed youth

She said the department’s 2022-2032 decadal plan aimed to raise gross expenditure on research and development to 1.5% of gross domestic product from about 1%.

Current levels were inadequate, she said.  

“For some time now, R&D funding has been underfunded,” Gina said, adding that industries were not investing enough in research and development.

Universities had also seen a decline in R&D because of revenue pressure, she said.

She said South Africa faced a persistent gap between innovation and commercial uptake, with universities and science bodies sitting on prototypes that were ready for use but not being absorbed by the private sector.

ALSO READ: 40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

Gina said government was trying to close those gaps through the Innovation Fund, administered by the Technology Innovation Agency, which is meant to de-risk early-stage technologies and attract private venture capital.

She said that the country faced a skills mismatch as new technologies, including artificial intelligence, reshaped the economy.

“We have a skills mismatch as a country; more graduates are unemployed because they have skills that this gig economy doesn’t really need,” Gina said.

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Ramaphosa calls for overhaul of SETA system

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Ramaphosa calls for overhaul of SETA system

By Akani Nkuna

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a sweeping overhaul of South Africa’s Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) system, describing it as ineffective and unfit for purpose.

Ramaphosa said the current framework should be replaced with a dual model that integrates academic learning with skills development and workplace-based training.

He added that South Africa’s advanced financial sector could position the country as a global hub for financial services.

ALSO READ: ATM calls for probe after reported crowning of Nigerian Igwe in Eastern Cape

“The SETA system has not served us well at all, it must now be changed. We must build from our strength as a country to create jobs for the economy of the future. We have one of the most sophisticated financial systems in the world, we can position SA as a destination for financial services,” he said.

Ramaphosa was speaking at the News24 Record Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The summit is aimed to find practical solutions that will help create five million jobs in 10 years.

The summit has brought together local and international experts to explore strategies for economic growth and job creation, and to support the objectives of the National Dialogue.

His remarks come amid mounting criticism of SETAs over governance failures, poor performance and high administrative costs.

ALSO READ: Mkhwanazi says prison letter and Matlala meeting strengthen political interference claims

Several SETAs have been placed under administration due to financial mismanagement.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has recently begun a process to merge some SETAs in a bid to improve efficiency, address skills shortages and reduce operational costs.

Ramaphosa said South Africa’s high unemployment rate is rooted in structural factors linked to apartheid-era spatial planning and economic exclusion, which continue to disproportionately affect Black youth.

He stressed, however, that historical injustice should not be used to excuse government shortcomings, calling for intensified efforts to expand economic opportunities, particularly for young people.

“South Africa’s high unemployment is not a result of a single failure. It is the outcome of deep historical, and policy linked factors interacting overtime. To understand it properly, you have to look at it more holistically and that means we have got to look back at where it originates from,” said Ramaphosa, adding that the ambition to create five million jobs over the next decade represents a defining moment for the country.

“Creating jobs is the most and foremost priority of our government. Our single greatest challenge is to translate positive economic momentum into jobs for millions of South Africans who today remain unemployed. A job is more than just an income, it is about dignity, confidence, a sense belonging and an ability to contribute to our society.”

Ramaphosa also called for stronger coordination across government, saying improved intergovernmental cooperation is critical to boosting economic efficiency and inclusivity.

ALSO READ: Court clears way for SAPS firearms inspection at Mathibeli security company

He said the government is examining international models to restructure the energy sector, describing it as a key driver of future growth.

“And it is when we all work together that we will be able to build a very strong platform for growth in a wide range of sectors, from green, steel to new energy vehicles. We have a thriving agricultural sector that can create a million and more jobs, and we will be focusing on that very, very closely,” said Ramaphosa.

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Vaal crash driver Ayanda Dludla revives bail bid

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Vaal crash driver Ayanda Dludla revives bail bid

Vaal crash driver Ayanda Dludla revives bail bid

By Charmaine Ndlela

The driver accused of causing the crash that killed 14 schoolchildren in the Vaal in January is to apply for bail, the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court has heard.

Ayanda Dludla, 22, had previously told the court that he had chosen to remain in custody while investigations continued.

Dludla faces 14 counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder following the 19 January crash on the R553 near Vanderbijlpark.

ALSO READ: Makgori learners set to return after parents protests over teachers, infrastructure

The scholar transport minibus he was driving, carrying 16 pupils, collided with a truck, killing 12 children at the scene, while two others later died in hospital.

The state has also charged Dludla with several transport-related offences, including allegedly driving without a valid professional driving permit (PDP) and operating an unlicensed vehicle.

ALSO READ: 40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

His lawyer, Reward Nxumalo, told the media that Dludla is remorseful and struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Nxumalo also said that his client requires psychological intervention, as he is finding it difficult to cope while in custody.

The bail hearing is set for 31 March.

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New Joburg CBD tech campus bets on digital jobs for unemployed youth

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New Joburg CBD tech campus bets on digital jobs for unemployed youth

By Charmaine Ndlela

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute on Wednesday opened a new technology campus in Johannesburg’s CBD, saying it aims to train unemployed youth for work in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science.

Housed in a newly unveiled 10-storey, 10 065m² campus at 56 Main Street in Marshalltown, the institute aims to equip unemployed youth with high-demand digital skills while contributing to the revitalisation of the inner city.

ALSO READ: Makgori learners set to return after parents protests over teachers, infrastructure

The launch forms part of the Institute’s broader “Education Town” vision — an urban renewal initiative focused on transforming the CBD into a safe, vibrant hub for learning that leads directly to employment opportunities.

MNIT will focus on preparing students for careers linked to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, offering training in areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, cloud engineering and digital skills, as well as financial and professional services such as insurance, banking and financial markets, in partnership with industry leaders.

Delivering his keynote address during the launch, CEO and co-founder Dr Taddy Blecher said the initiative builds on the institute’s long-standing mission to empower young people through education.

“This is more than a building; it is a promise to our youth that they will not be left behind by the AI revolution,” Blecher said.

“This building is not just infrastructure, it is a centre for accelerating tech talent and giving young people access to opportunities that were previously out of reach.”

ALSO READ: 40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

“We are training youth in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science, because these are the skills that will define the future of work.”

According to the institute, it has already trained 25 995 young people, 70% of whom are women, with graduate earnings supporting an estimated 175 000 family members. It also says it has provided training to more than 18 000 employed individuals.

“If we can educate 100 000 young people and connect them to meaningful employment, we can inject billions into South African households and fundamentally shift communities out of poverty,” Blecher said.

The institute says its model has delivered a 98% conversion rate of graduates into permanent or long-term employment.

“Our approach is simple — when one student succeeds, they uplift others. Every graduate supports another student and contributes to education in their own community,” he added.

The new campus will further expand these efforts by enabling tailored training for corporate partners, while also creating a pipeline of skilled talent for South Africa’s growing digital economy.

“For 20 years, we have seen that when you unlock the potential in young people, they can compete at the highest global levels,” Blecher said.

“This initiative is about ensuring that young people from underserved communities are not left behind in the digital revolution.”

The development was made possible through the support of South African tech entrepreneurs and philanthropists David Frankel and Tracey Frankel, who supported the new campus. The building was donated by the couple.

“We believe in a future where Johannesburg becomes one of the pre-eminent tech capitals on the continent,” David Frankel said.

ALSO READ: Chiloane to introduce legal team probing Tembisa learner’s death

“By providing this infrastructure and nurturing cutting-edge programmes, we are confident that young people will emerge as future tech leaders.”

Tracey Frankel further said that they look forward to seeing students “engaging in learning inside this magnificent building and eventually working in the job that they have been praying for. That is our dream.”

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute is also part of Jozi My Jozi, a coalition that includes major businesses and other partners working to restore economic activity in the inner city.

As part of its Education Town model, the institute has already introduced projects such as Maharishi Park and sports facilities in the CBD, along with safety initiatives in the area, including solar-powered street lighting for students.

By its fifth year, the MNIT campus is expected to reach full capacity and serve as a blueprint for similar tech talent development hubs across South Africa.

“We are not just building a tech institute. We are building an ecosystem where education leads directly to employment and long-term impact,” Blecher said.

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Makgori learners set to return after parents protests over teachers, infrastructure

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Makgori learners set to return after parents protests over teachers, infrastructure

By Levy Masiteng 

Learners at Makgori Primary School in North West were expected to return to class on Wednesday after teaching was disrupted by protests over dilapidated infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, the provincial education department said.

The department said a high-level delegation met concerned parents and community members in Makgori Village, in the Ratlou Local Municipality, on Tuesday to address the crisis at the school.

It said measures were being put in place to fill a vacant teaching post, particularly for Natural Sciences and Technology, to help stabilise teaching in the first term of 2026. It also said the school would implement a catch-up plan, including extra classes, to recover lost learning time.

ALSO READ: College of Cape Town challenges rooted in hiring, procurement

Parents and community members had raised concerns about deteriorating infrastructure and staff shortages, which they said were undermining teaching and learning conditions. Parents shut the school for about a week over the issues.

The department said a maintenance contractor had already been appointed and would be formally introduced to the community at the start of the 2026/27 financial year to begin major renovations.

North West Education MEC Viola Motsumi said the department was aware of the community’s concerns and had assigned officials to intervene.

“We are fully aware of their challenges, and I have delegated a team of officials to address these issues,” Motsumi said.

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40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

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40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Forty learners from Ekwazini Secondary School in Mpumalanga were taken to hospital on Tuesday after developing symptoms consistent with food poisoning after eating snacks known as Krunchy Nax, the provincial education department said on Wednesday.

“Initially, three learners reported stomach cramps, prompting school authorities to act swiftly and request medical assistance,” the department said.

As more learners developed similar symptoms, 40 were transported to the hospital for further assessment and observation.

ALSO READ: College of Cape Town challenges rooted in hiring, procurement

The department said all affected learners were in a stable, non-critical condition and had since been discharged.

It said health inspectors had been deployed to investigate the incident and that samples of the suspected snacks, as well as other food items and water sources, had been collected for laboratory testing.

While the investigation is under way, the department urged parents and guardians to warn children about the dangers of buying and eating food from unverified and informal shops.

“Parents and guardians are urged to have ongoing conversations with their children about food safety, the risks associated with unregulated products, and the importance of making responsible choices,” the department said.

ALSO READ: Chiloane to introduce legal team probing Tembisa learner’s death

The department also praised the response of school management, educators and health officials, saying their swift action helped protect learners and contain the situation.

It said it would continue to monitor developments at the school and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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College of Cape Town challenges rooted in hiring, procurement

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College of Cape Town challenges rooted in hiring, procurement

Thebe Mabanga 

Irregular appointments and procurement practices are two of the biggest problems at the College of Cape Town, and addressing these will go a long way towards stabilising the institution.

This is according to Dr. Robert Nkuna, the recently appointed administrator for the institution, who spoke exclusively to Inside Education.

Nkuna was appointed by Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela for a period of two years.

ALSO READ: Limpopo suspends schooling in flood-affected districts

“Incorrect appointments and procurement practices are the biggest challenges facing the institution,” said Nkuna, adding that, in the case of appointments, he would have to review the institution’s operational structure and needs and, where appointments were irregular, correct or reverse these.

Part of Nkuna’s brief is to oversee the appointment of a new council and principal, as well as five vice-principals in areas including finance, human resources and information technology.

Since taking up the post a month ago, Nkuna has met all stakeholders, including all eight campus managers, labour through all four trade unions — the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), the Public Service Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) — as well as the Student Representative Council (SRC).

Nkuna said one of the key outcomes of the engagements has been unanimous support by all unions for him to implement the forensic investigation commissioned by Manamela.

On procurement practices, Nkuna said: “Emergency procurement is the most abused practice in the public sector”.

He said he intended to review and overhaul procurement systems at the college and make decisions such as whether to centralise procurement and streamline bid evaluation committees to service all campuses.

ALSO READ: Calls for action after bullied Mthatha child allegedly hanged herself

Nkuna said he viewed his role as administrator as more than addressing governance challenges. He would like the institution to address challenges including infrastructure, which is uneven across campuses based on location, with historically disadvantaged areas such as Gugulethu and Athlone having relatively poor infrastructure, he said.

Gugulethu has had a new building unveiled, but Nkuna said more was required.

He said he would also oversee a review of the college’s content and the programmes it offers.

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