Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance has written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Mr Tebogo Letsie, demanding the summoning of Minister Nkabane’s secret SETA Selection and Evaluation Panel.
Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are public institutions established to facilitate skills development and training in various economic sectors, and are crucial to addressing South Africa’s high unemployment and skills gap.
The demand is in terms of section 14 of the Powers and Privileges Act, read with Rule 167(a), which reads: “…a committee may, subject to the Constitution, legislation, the other provisions of these rules and resolutions of the Assembly, (a) summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or to produce documents.”
This follows a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training yesterday, 30 May 2025.
In this meeting, Minister Nkabane refused to furnish the committee with the names of the individuals that she claims she handpicked to evaluate all 573 SETA board Chairpersons applications and select 20 ANC loyalists from these applications for appointment.
The appointments included:
- Gwebinkosi Qonde, advisor to ANC National Chairperson, Minister Gwede Mantashe
- Buyambo Mantashe, Minister Mantashe’s son
- Nomusa Dube, Former KZN Premier
- Michael Mabuyakhulu, Former ANC KZN MEC for Economic Development
- Philemon Mapulane, Former ANC Deputy Minister for Communications
Minister Nkabane cannot run away from being held accountable for her attempted politicisation of the appointment of SETA board Chairpersons.
The DA will not rest.
Regards
Karabo Khakhau MP
DA Member of Committee on Higher Education and Training