Reversal of Seta appoints welcomed

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