Minister withdraws recent appointments of chairpersons for Seta boards amid claims of nepotism, corruption

Sihle Lonzi member of the National Assembly. (Photo: Phando JIkelo /RSA Parliament)

16 May 2025

Following questions and backlash from MPs about the appointments of the chairpersons of the Seta boards that include Gwede Mantashe’s son, Minister of Higher Education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has withdrawn the appointments with immediate effect.

Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has withdrawn the recent appointments of chairpersons to Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards, following mounting backlash from members of Parliament. The storm broke after leaked information revealed that Buyambo Mantashe — the son of Minister Gwede Mantashe — had been appointed chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta.

The appointment sparked an immediate outcry, with MPs demanding answers. Among the other contentious appointees were former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and former ANC provincial deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu — names that only added fuel to the fire, raising fresh concerns over ANC cadre deployment.

These appointments caused chaos during the committee meeting on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, when the EFF’s Sihle Lonzi was evicted from the meeting after he questioned the Department of Higher Education about the appointments, which he labelled “corruption”.

Read more: EFF’s Sihle Lonzi evicted from Parliament after challenging Seta board appointments

Nkabane has now withdrawn the appointments and decided to recalibrate the process — which was overseen by an independent panel.

“I have taken the decision to withdraw previous appointments in response to public concerns. Further, I take this decision in the interest of good governance, transparency to ensure accountability of the appointment process,” said Nkabane in a statement.

The EFF's Sihle Lonzi. (Photo: Phando JIkelo /RSA Parliament)

Nkabane said that she would be issuing a Government Gazette calling for nominations for a limited run of seven days. A new independent panel would be established to process the nominations and recommend candidates.

Setas facilitate skills development through programmes like learnerships and internships.

In 2024, Nkabane issued a call for nominations for the appointment of chairpersons of accounting authorities for 21 Setas, who would serve a five-year term, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030.

‘There must be accountability’

After being evicted from the committee meeting for questioning the previous leaked appointments of chairpersons, Lonzi told Daily Maverick that he welcomed the withdrawal of the appointments and called for accountability and consequences for this issue.

“We are still going to follow up on what happened to the other process… we welcome that it will now be restarted. Sons of the minister and his allies are not going to [benefit from] favouritism and nepotism. All South Africans will have an opportunity to apply. We are going to find out how Gwede Mantashe’s son found himself on that list to begin with. People cannot commit corruption, and when they are caught they withdraw decisions,” said Lonzi.

He told Daily Maverick that what Letsie did to prevent him from asking a question was wrong, and said it will be followed up.

“We feel very strongly that there is no way a chairperson of higher education can behave in such an unethical manner, refusing members to ask very critical questions which deal with accountability and transparency,” said Lonzi.

The DA’s Karabo Khakhau also wrote to the chairperson of the committee, Tebogo Letsie, raising concerns about these appointments.

“Seta boards play a vital role in skills development and economic empowerment. They are not ANC cadre deployment havens, nor should they be misused as rewards for political loyalty,” said Khakhau.

In a statement, the National Tertiary Education Union also welcomed the minister’s withdrawal of the Seta boards.

“The minister must still account as to why and how this mess took place. We welcome the correction, but that does not absolve her from accounting,” read the statement. DM

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‘There must be accountability’