Higher Education Minister under fire over SETA appointments

The long-running SETA board saga has flared up again, with newly appointed Higher Education Minister, Buti Manamela, under fire for appointing three controversial figures to lead troubled Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have accused Manamela of using SETAs to reward ANC allies, warning that the appointments entrench cadre deployment and weaken accountability in the skills development sector.

The parties argue the appointees lack credibility.

Manamela announced that Oupa Nkoane, Lehlohonolo Masoga, and Zukile Mvalo would serve as administrators of the Construction SETA (CETA), Services SETA (SSETA), and Local Government SETA (LGSETA). He defended the decision, saying the appointees had been tasked with restoring institutional integrity, enforcing consequence management, and protecting learners and workers from governance failures.

Nkoane, a former Emfuleni municipal manager, was implicated in the mismanagement of R872 million. Masoga, a former Limpopo MEC, was flagged for backdating a R4.4 million contract at the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone. Mvalo, who has overseen all 21 SETAs for eight years, is accused of failing to stabilise them.

The DA’s national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau called the appointments “another example of ANC cadre deployment” and said the DA had written to Manamela demanding that he reverses the appointments.

The party wants independent, non-political professionals appointed to deliver a credible turnaround of SETAs.

🇿🇦 Manamela and the NSA must explain to parliament what justifies the appointment of cadres implicated in forensic reports that detail acts of corruption, fraud, and the mismanagement of public funds. I wrote to Letsie. pic.twitter.com/FtWFOBMuH3

— Karabo Khakhau MP (@KaraboKhakhau) August 21, 2025

The EFF’s Sihle Lonzi raised similar concerns in a letter to the minister, questioning whether Manamela had complied with the Skills Development Act, which requires consultation with both SETAs and the National Skills Authority before administrators are appointed.

Lonzi warned that placing the entities under prolonged administration, could further erode governance structures.

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The EFF has written to the Minister of Higher Education, Honourable Buti Manamela, raising urgent concerns regarding non-compliance with the Skills Development Act (SDA) and the unlawful political interference in the appointment of SETA Board Chairpersons.

The… pic.twitter.com/lLQJz9FbG0

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 21, 2025

Manamela took over the portfolio in July following the resignation of Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, who stepped down after being accused of misleading Parliament about SETA board appointments. Nkabane also faced criticism for packing SETA boards with ANC-linked individuals, a decision that was later reversed after opposition parties challenged the process.

Now, less than two months into his tenure, Manamela faces a similar test. The central question is whether his appointments represent a genuine attempt at reform, or yet another chapter in the cycle of political patronage and corruption that has plagued SETAs for years.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe