Babalo Ndenze31 May 2025 | 8:47

Nkabane says she withdrew SETA board appointments because of public outcry

Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane had appointed the likes of politically connected individuals like Buyambo Mantashe, who is the son of Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe.

Nkabane says she withdrew SETA board appointments because of public outcry

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. Picture: @HigherEduGovZA/X

CAPE TOWN - Minister of Higher Education and Training Nobuhle Nkabane said she withdrew the appointments of chairpersons of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards because of the public outcry.

But Nkabane insists that the process followed to appoint the board chairpersons of the SETAs was above board, despite her decision to scrap the appointments.

Nkabane had appointed the likes of politically connected individuals like Buyambo Mantashe, who is the son of Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe.

ALSO READ: Nkabane defends decision to appoint politically connected people to chair SETA boards

The list also included former KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

On Friday, Nkabane told the higher education portfolio committee that she had to restart the process because of the outcry.

"The recommended candidates to serve as chairs, they are viewed or perceived to be more politically bloated or associated with some of the politicians within the movement. Then I said I must be responsible, I must take the considerations and concerns of the public and respond to them."