By Johnathan Paoli
Political parties and trade unions have welcomed Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s withdrawal of the controversial appointments of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board chairpersons, following mounting public criticism.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which was one of most vocal critics of the appointments, labelled them as “corrupt” and a product of nepotism and political patronage.
“We emphasise that appointments based on political favouritism are inherently corrupt. They deny capable South Africans an opportunity to serve, undermine the credibility of our public institutions, and produce governance structures that are incapable of delivering on their mandate,” the party stated.
Among those appointed were Buyambo Mantashe, the son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, and a personal advisor from the same ministry.
The party claimed that the appointments reflected the ANC’s entrenched culture of rewarding political loyalty rather than merit.
The EFF has called for a full independent audit and forensic review of all SETA board appointments, past and present.
It insists the minister must also seek a court order to formally nullify the appointments, citing the constitutional principle that public officials cannot act outside legal processes.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) similarly condemned both the initial appointments and their subsequent withdrawal, calling the process corrupt and politically motivated.
It criticised the appointments as an extension of ANC’s cadre deployment, highlighting figures like Buyambo Mantashe and other ANC loyalists, while accusing Nkabane of backtracking only after public backlash, not out of ethical responsibility.
The MKP emphasised the need for transparency, merit and expertise in SETA leadership, and vowed to monitor future appointments to prevent political patronage from undermining institutions meant to empower South Africa’s youth.
The Democratic Alliance’s Karabo Khakhau welcomed the withdrawal of the appointees, including Mantashe and several KwaZulu-Natal ANC figures.
Khakhau described the withdrawal as a “step in the right direction” and a rejection of the ANC’s attempts to use SETA boards as patronage networks.
“We are pleased that the minister has finally come to her senses and recognised that SETA boards cannot and must not be treated as extensions of ANC patronage networks,” she said.
According to Khakhau, SETAs were vital to South Africa’s economic future and youth empowerment. They should be governed by skilled, apolitical professionals and not used to reward political loyalty.
She emphasised that future appointments must be based on merit, relevant experience and a genuine commitment to public service.
The SA Federation of Trade Unions warned that the appointments were part of a broader patronage network that has eroded the governance and integrity of SETAs over more than a decade.
“We regard this as a direct response to public outrage, trade union mobilisation and sustained media exposure of a process tainted by political patronage, cadre deployment and a breakdown of democratic governance,” Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said.
The federation traced the current crisis to former Minister Blade Nzimande’s centralisation of power, which eliminated the tripartite governance model originally intended under the Skills Development Act.
Vavi expressed concern that the SETAs currently have no accounting authorities, leaving students and graduates in limbo regarding bursaries and grant disbursements.
He demanded that previously flagged individuals, including politically connected figures and former public officials, be permanently excluded from consideration.
Meanwhile, the ANC said in a statement that it supported Nkabane’s decision, framing it as a “principled act” rooted in good governance and accountability.
The party praised the minister’s commitment to a transparent, merit-based process and invited broader public participation in the re-opened nominations.
“We are satisfied that all due diligence will be observed during recruitment, and that all candidates will be appointed in accordance with the principles of merit, representative, good governance, and public accountability,” the party said.
It dismissed opposition claims of victory, stating that the withdrawal was a demonstration of “maturity and discipline” from ANC-led governance, not a capitulation to external pressure.
Nkabane has since committed to a recalibrated process, including a seven-day nomination period, the formation of a new independent vetting panel, and stricter adherence to merit and representational balance.
She emphasised transparency in her approach, vowing that all future appointees would undergo full screening.
INSIDE POLITICS