Higher Education withdraws appointment of SETA board chairs
Minister Nobuhle Nkabane says the decision follows calls for greater transparency, amid growing public concerns over the selection processes.
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Higher Education Ministry has withdrawn the appointment of all recently named Sector Education and Training Authority (SEAT) board chairs.
Minister Nobuhle Nkabane says the decision follows calls for greater transparency, amid growing public concerns over the selection processes.
She adds that a new nomination window will open this week for just seven days.
The withdrawal comes after several stakeholders, including labour and civil society groups, questioned the representativeness of some appointees.
Concerns were also raised about certain sectors being sidelined despite their legally mandated role in SETA governance.
The original panel which picked the 20 board chairs has been dissolved.
Minister Nobuhle Nkabane says while the candidates had strong qualifications, including multiple master’s and doctoral degrees, the integrity of the selection process needed to be restored.
The reopened nominations will prioritise competency, experience, and representation, including youth, women, and people with disabilities.
The minister says a new panel will handle the entire process and has committed to announcing the final appointments as soon as possible.