Latest news with #Setas
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Outa says Sector Education and Training Authorities need complete overhaul for job creation
The role of Setas has come under the spotlight following ongoing revelations around the hiring processes by Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane for Seta boards. But digging deeper, there are broader concerns: misgovernance and sliding audit figures from entities that receive R21-billion from taxpayers. Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) are plagued by misgovernance and inadequate skills, which have come under scrutiny in recent months due to the actions of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. The country's 21 Setas are ideally intended to provide training opportunities for both employed and unemployed individuals in a bid to improve skills, and thus employability. These Setas are involved in many different sectors from agriculture, media, transport and health to hospitality. The Setas have been thrust into the spotlight after Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane made appointments to their boards, which included politically aligned individuals from Nkabane's political home of the African National Congress (ANC). This has resulted in the reversal of these appointments and criminal cases being opened. Speaking to Daily Maverick, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse's (Outa) Rudie Heyneke, a senior project manager on this issue, said there was 'a definite need' for Setas, using an example of a Seta that trained people to fix cellphones. The problem, he identified, was that 'there needs to be a total overhaul of the Setas'. He said this key skills development, which was paid for by both employers and employees through skills development levies, was key to combating the country's high unemployment rate. But the Setas were not functioning, despite R21-billion coming directly from taxpayers this year. The problem, Heyneke said, was 'governance' — the appointments of unqualified people for roles that required experience. Heyneke said that 'R20-billion [is] going to them every year and they don't give us what we need', and suggested that Setas should be scrapped if they were not functioning properly and effectively. According to data gathered by Outa, out of the 21 Setas only nine received clean audits. Five received financially unqualified audits. Seven Setas received qualified audit opinions during the 2023/2024 financial year. This isn't the first time Outa has tackled the Setas. The organisation has been exposing the rot at the Services Seta — where there were highly inflated contracts awarded under Andile Nongogo's tenure as its CEO between 2016 and 2019. Nongogo resurfaced as the chief executive at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in December 2020. Outa's Wayne Duvenage would later write in Daily Maverick: 'We were not surprised to see a number of his Service Seta suppliers surface in highly irregular contracts awarded at NSFAS.' But it is not only Outa that has raised issues with the functioning and governance of Setas. In their sixth administration legacy report, Parliament's higher education committee highlighted several key issues when it came to the governance of Setas. These include the irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by some Setas. 'Inadequate qualifications, skills, and capacity of some members appointed to serve on Seta boards,' read the committee's report. An issue raised by the committee was 'poor governance and management by certain Setas, with the Services Seta receiving qualified audit opinions for four consecutive financial years despite committee recommendations.' Other issues raised by the committee include the 'inability of some Setas to implement adequate project management and monitoring, contributing to irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditures, and the double-dipping of learners from different funders or multiple Setas'. Writing in Sunday Times, Professor William Gumede said it would be better to close down the Setas and let firms do the training if they could not be reformed. 'Alternatively, business, in collaboration with business associations — which are better placed to identify the skills demands of the economy — should take over the running of Setas,' wrote Gumede. On 13 March 2025, Parliament's higher education committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie, implored the department to ensure the appointment of ethical board members at Setas. 'We do not want individuals who view this as an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of the sector. Instead, they must see this sector as a vehicle for uplifting young people and driving meaningful change,' he said. DM
The Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Public universities carry cost of broken funding system, says NWU professor
'Universities are forced into the untenable position of either blocking registrations or carrying the cost of registration and tuition, effectively becoming creditors in a relationship they never agreed to.' When students are evicted over unpaid rent, it is universities that face backlash, she said. Institutions are often left negotiating with landlords, extending registration deadlines and calming student unrest. Du Plessis said these financial pressures disrupt teaching and learning and contribute to operational instability. 'While the public sees burning tyres and angry slogans, what remains hidden is the huge operational toll this takes on institutions. Academic calendars are adjusted repeatedly and these changes often come with additional cost implications.' Even though the government has increased higher education funding, most of it is directed towards NSFAS, rather than towards developing universities or advancing research. Compounding the crisis is the role of Setas, which are meant to support skills development and training. Du Plessis said political interference and poor governance have left many Setas ineffective. 'The recent allegations regarding the appointment of politically connected individuals are yet another example of how politics can be prioritised over merit and accountability in the higher-education and training sector,' she said. Universities rely on Setas for internships, work-integrated learning and industry partnerships. When Setas fail, the burden again shifts to universities.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Public universities carry cost of broken funding system, says NWU professor
While much attention has been on students left stranded by delays and defunding of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), South Africa's public universities are also taking a huge hit — and few are talking about it. This is according to Prof Linda du Plessis, senior deputy vice-chancellor: teaching and learning at North West University (NWU), who warns that the strain placed on universities by NSFAS and various sector education and training authorities (Setas) is threatening their ability to function, deliver quality education and contribute to national development. 'The dysfunction at the heart of NSFAS and various Setas has been the topic of many recent media articles,' she said. 'This focus is needed as it directly affects the academic journey and future of South Africa's most vulnerable students. However, what continues to receive little or no acknowledgment is the burden these failures place on the very institutions tasked with delivering quality higher education: the public universities,' said Du Plessis. According to Du Plessis, universities have for years had to absorb the impact of NSFAS mismanagement, often without being consulted or supported. 'While minister [Nobuhle] Nkabane and her department continue to promise reforms, universities remain on the receiving end of a crumbling system that is fast becoming unsustainable — not just for students, but for the institutions themselves.'
SowetanLIVE
4 days ago
- Politics
- SowetanLIVE
More people deny being on Nkabane's 'independent panel' on Setas
More people have come out to deny being part of higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane's panel to appoint the board chairs of the sector education and training authorities (Setas). The pressure continues to pile on Nkabane after her own chief of staff Nelisiwe Semane, director of Seta co-ordination in the department Mabuza Ngubane, and deputy director-general for corporate services Rhulane Ngwenya wrote to parliament's portfolio committee on higher education and training. The three declared they were not involved in the now-reversed process that recommended the appointment of ANC-linked cadres to chair some of the 21 Seta boards. This is despite Nkabane last month revealing names of a panel which she said was independent and had recommended names of ANC cadres to lead the Seta boards. The trio's denial comes just weeks after advocate Terry Motau, whom Nkabane said chaired the panel, denied his involvement. In a letter dated June 24, Semane said she was involved only with the advisory panel that recommended the board members. She said this was a different process altogether to the one that recommended the board chairs.
Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
The troubled state of higher education under Nobuhle Nkabane's watch
Higher Education Minister Nkabane has been under scrutiny after controversial Setas appointments involving ANC comrades, raising questions of whether she is fit for the job. Other issues within the post-school education and training sector include inadequate NSFAS funds, accommodation woes and student debt. South Africa's higher education sector, serving more than 1.7 million students across universities, TVET colleges and CET institutions, promises quality learning, skills development and support. But each academic year opens with the same struggles – unpaid student debt, blocked registrations, and housing shortages that leave some students sleeping outside institutions. Protests have become routine, driven largely by delays and dysfunction at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), with issues ranging from slow funding to technical failures and poor governance. It was for these reasons that Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane was brought in to steer the ship after the Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed, along with two deputies, Mimmy Gondwe and Buti Manamela. Nkabane arrived when entities such as NSFAS had been placed under administration over non-payment issues. Exploring the state of higher education and training under Nkabane: NSFAS, too broken to succeed Nkabane's first pledge was to resolve the NSFAS chaos and ensure that qualifying students received bursaries and loans. She increased university allowances by 4% while TVETs received a 46% increase. This was aimed at responding to the increased cost of living. A boost for students, helping them to buy food and other necessities. She appointed a NSFAS board of 18 members and a new acting CEO, Waseem Carrim. In 2025, NSFAS was able to fund approximately 811,011 students across various universities and TVET colleges, and offer housing to students as they worked with institutions and private landlords. However, many students experienced issues. Accommodation remains one of the biggest failures of the NSFAS; thousands of students are unaccommodated or threatened by landlords due to payment delays caused by NSFAS. In February, protests erupted at institutions such as CPUT and NMU, with students demanding urgent intervention over access to housing. Earlier this year, NSFAS admitted to owing R44-million to landlords from the Private Student Housing Association (PSHA), leaving thousands of students in limbo. Recently, students burnt the Northern Cape Urban Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College offices in Kimberley after NSFAS delayed allowances. NSFAS is still locked in a battle to exit its costly R2.5-million rent in Cape Town headquarters, a symbolic reminder of its financial disarray, while Minister Nkabane said this is being handled by lawyers. Operational cracks remain, and the recent improvements have failed to inspire confidence in the student community. MPs and students have called for NSFAS to be decentralised so that offices can be opened in universities and colleges. Looking at the abrupt calls to remove her as minister, little has been done at NSFAS to convince students that the minister has the situation in control. TVET challenges TVET colleges, often touted as a crucial solution to youth unemployment, received R14-billion in this year's budget – a slight increase from last year. But this funding boost masks more troubling realities. These institutions remain under-resourced, and quality assurance remains a recurring concern. While there have been pockets of progress, many TVETs continue to operate with outdated equipment, a lack of qualified lecturers, and poor infrastructure. Sihle Lonzi of the EFF was vocal on 3 July 2025, during the budget vote, that TVETs must not be treated as high schools; they must be promoted similarly to how universities are encouraged. To improve the TVET colleges, Nkabane signed a memorandum of understanding, aligning SA's TVET priorities with Austria's dual education model. The agreement will facilitate the exchange of vocational education delegations, foster partnerships between training institutions and companies, and enable the placement of South African students in Austrian businesses. Deputy Minister Gondwe has been conducting oversight visits in various colleges in SA. She led a campaign against bogus colleges. According to TimesLive, Gondwe said unregistered institutions of higher learning rob students of employment opportunities. This was a critical step in improving the higher education sector. Daily Maverick reported that students from Educor, a private education provider with several colleges including Damelin, CityVarsity, ICESA City Campus and Lyceum College, said they are struggling to get their certificates, while workers were forced to resign over unpaid salaries. Educor was fully reinstated after Blade Nzimande cancelled it in 2024. Non-issuing of certificates Another dark mark on higher education is the issue of student debt. Across the country, thousands of graduates are unable to collect their certificates due to unpaid fees, effectively locking them out of the job market. According to many, this isn't just a bureaucratic nuisance – it's a systemic barrier to employment in a country with a 32.9% unemployment rate. Worryingly, even those with degrees are not immune. The graduate unemployment rate is at 11.7%, according to 2025 first-quarter statistics. Daily Maverick reported that graduates from various institutions were in support of the Student Debt Relief Bill proposed by Lonzi. The bill aims to tackle the payment of university debts. Nkabane has not responded to this proposed bill. Safety on campus Another issue troubling in the sector is the safety of university campuses and TVET colleges. Multiple incidents of deaths and injuries have occurred since the start of the year, with the latest being the tragic death of a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) staff member, Sinethemba Mpambane. Sisonke Mbolekwa, a WSU student, was allegedly killed by residence manager Manelisi Mampane, after students protested against poor maintenance conditions. Nkabane confirmed that Mbolekwa was a WSU student, after she first denied that he was a student. Universities like Sefako Makgatho Health Science University in Gauteng are battling issues of lack of water, while they have no library. This was revealed during a portfolio committee meeting in Parliament. The university also 'acknowledged infrastructure limitations in some of its older residences – particularly in relation to the absence of stoves and laundry facilities', according to spokesperson Tshimangadzo Mphaphuli. Campus safety is a concern that needs attention. Nkabane has been part of programs to ensure that students are safe. She led a gender-based violence femicide programme in schools that educated on the importance of safety. State of Setas The Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) are responsible for facilitating skills development through programmes such as learnerships and internships. Consisting of 21 different Setas ranging from agriculture to safety and security, they also disburse grants to employers and skills development providers to offer training to employed and unemployed learners. Through Setas, SA has produced more than 95,000 qualified artisans over the past five years. However, Setas have been under scrutiny due to Nkabane wanting to appoint ANC politicians as chairpersons of the 21 different boards. In 2024, Minister Nobuhle Nkabane called for nominations to appoint chairpersons of accounting authorities for 21 Setas, set to serve from April 2025 to March 2030. Leaks revealed Buyambo Mantashe, Minister Gwede Mantashe's son, was appointed, despite claims that an independent panel led by Terry Motau made the picks. Motau denied chairing it, and most panellists were from her department, raising the question of whether the panel was independent. Further, members of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education felt misled by Nkabane, with the Democratic Alliance opening a case against her. Student organisations also lost faith in Nkabane, calling for her removal as minister. As Nkabane continues to steer the higher education sector, the story of the higher education sector under her is one of missed opportunities and mounting crises. Despite bold promises and high budgets, it's a sector plagued by funding delays, unsafe campuses, uncollected certificates and political interference. DM
