Latest news with #Sishi
IOL News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Nkosinathi Sishi defends against accusations in SETA board chair appointments controversy
Higher Education Department Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi says he is unfairly placed in a position where not even the slightest indication by those who were involved includes him in what they say about SETA board chairpersons' appointments. Image: Department of Higher Education Higher Education Department Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi on Tuesday bitterly complained about being unfairly implicated in the work of the panel that recommended cancelled appointments of chairpersons of Sector and Education Training Authorities (SETAs) boards. This is after ANC MP Tshepo Louw said Sishi must be brought to book for misleading Parliament when the Higher Education Portfolio Committee interrogated officials who were part of the panel, but could not attend the meeting last Friday. Sishi was on the hot seat after the ANC failed in its push to quash the investigation because former minister Nobuhle Nkabane was no longer a minister, but in a vote by MPs, it was decided that officials testify and Nkabane be summoned to give her side of the story. Louw highlighted that Deputy Director-General Rhulani Ngwenya deposed a statement that following consultation between Sishi and Nkabane, a decision was taken to relocate the responsibility of managing nominations for non-executive board members of entities to her directorate. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He insisted that Ngwenya had indicated that Sishi was quite informed and involved in the process. 'I conclude that part of the problems at the department is the DG, who had a duty to advise and play an administrative oversight role,' he said. In response, Sishi asked for protection from committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie. He stated that it was implied he may have influenced certain officials to miss the previous meeting while he was out of the country and someone else was acting in his position. Sishi said even though Ngwenya apologised for the confusion over the cancellation of the committee meeting, no apology was made to him. 'Some members of this committee have tried to move out from the purpose of the questions to try to suggest I was involved, or I might have participated. I have indicated consistently all the time I have been here that I really would like to appoint chairpersons … but the law does not allow me to do so.' He said that on the day he saw the list of chairpersons to be appointed, he was with everybody else. 'There was absolutely no time to intervene at that stage. I feel I am unfairly placed in a position where not even the slightest indication by those who were involved includes the DG in what they say, but some people want to include the DG. I think it is unfair,' Sishi said. Earlier, Sishi indicated that he never saw the list of preferred candidates nor received an email other than when it was tabled at a meeting with the National Skills Authority. 'I never even knew who would eventually be on that list. I accepted that the law does not allow me to appoint a board chair. If we were to be part of the panel, it would be at the discretion of the accounting authority,' he said. Testifying before the committee, chief of staff Nelisiwe Semane, ministerial advisor Asisipho Solani, and Ngwenya denied being involved in the work of the panel despite being named by Nkabane as panellists. Semane said her name appeared on the list because Nkabane submitted a list that includes all the panels that she appointed since taking office. 'I did not participate in the selection and recommendation of SETAs accounting authority chairpersons but participated in the process for the recommendation of SETAs accounting authorities and not board chairpersons,' she said. Ngwenya said she was appointed to provide secretarial support to the panel. 'I viewed this as an assignment of duties rather than a formal appointment, and as such, did not deem it necessary to formally accept the assignment in writing,' she said. Solani, who was assigned to the nomination committee, said: 'I discharged this role in my capacity as advisor to the minister and no compensation beyond my regular salary was provided.' The trio said the panel never convened any formal meeting and was not aware how the names of recommended chairpersons came about. Sishi said it was very clear from what the officials were saying that there weren't any meetings that were held. 'Clearly, the names considered could have come from the accounting authority, who produced the list tabled to the National Skills Authority,' said Sishi. Letsie said it was clear from the testimonies by the officials that there was never a panel for SETA boards. 'Maybe, there was an intention to have a panel. Maybe it was not implemented in the true sense of the word,' he said. 'This thing could have been easily avoided. If there was no panel, there was no need to say there was a panel,' added Letsie.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Sishi steps up as Stellenbosch chart bold path with uual promotions
Stellenbosch FC has announced that veteran goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt has signed a contract extension that will see him enter his 21st season as a professional. He will also serve as a goalkeeper coach for the club's reserve, youth, and ladies teams. Image: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC have announced the exciting promotion of 20-year-old defender Simthandile Sishi to their first-team squad ahead of the 2025/26 season, signalling a continued commitment to nurturing young talent at the club. Sishi, who joined Stellenbosch in 2022, has quickly emerged as one of the club's leading prospects, having captained the reserve team last season. His leadership was pivotal in securing two major titles — the DStv Diski Challenge and the Premier League Next Generation Cup — showcasing his potential on the international youth stage. Sishi's accolades do not end there; his recent recognition as the Sportsman of the Year for the reserve team highlights his dedication and prowess as a rising star at the Winelands club. New era, same ambition — Stellenbosch FC promote Simthandile Sishi to the first team while preparing club legend Lee Langeveldt for life beyond the posts. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Wearing the No 22 jersey, he is poised to step onto the field alongside seasoned players as he embarks on this new chapter in his career. 'I'm very excited to sign a professional contract,' Sishi said. 'Playing in the DDC, winning the DDC, and taking part in the Next Gen Cup helped me grow as both a player and an individual, and I feel ready to make the step up.' The young defender's enthusiasm and ambition reflect the club's desire to develop homegrown talent, with expectations high for him to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. In tandem with Sishi's promotion, Stellenbosch FC are facilitating the transition of veteran goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt into coaching. This dual model sets the club apart in South African football. The club is proud to announce that Lee Langeveldt has signed a contract extension that will see him enter his 21st season as a professional ✍️ — Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) July 10, 2025 Rather than allowing legends to drift into obscurity post-retirement, Stellenbosch are crafting structured pathways for their players' futures. The 2025 CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists recently extended Langeveldt's contract for one more season, allowing him to lend his invaluable experience to the team. Stellenbosch's statement reads: 'Langeveldt will remain part of the first-team squad for the 2025/26 season before being provided the opportunity to transition into a backroom role, where he will serve as a goalkeeper coach for the club's reserve, youth, and ladies teams.' Langeveldt has now clocked 21 years in professional football and stands as the last player from the squad that achieved promotion to the top flight during the 2018/19 season. His contributions to the club and connection to the community establish him as a living legend, one uniquely positioned to impact both on and off the pitch for Stellenbosch FC. This dual announcement not only exemplifies the club's commitment to developing youth talent but also its dedication to honouring and integrating its veteran players into meaningful roles. In a progressive move, Stellenbosch are demonstrating how to build a sustainable football culture — nurturing future stars while ensuring football legends remain actively involved in the sport.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Beyond the spotlight: Ntobeko Sishi's candid confession on rejection's silent struggles
He recounted losing his mother at the age of six in a TikTok snippet. Image: Instagram We don't always know what battles the person next to us is fighting. There's a quiet kind of pain that often goes unnoticed. It doesn't scream, it doesn't ask for help it simply sits beneath the surface. And too often, we carry it with us, pretending it doesn't hurt. A viral interview featuring South African actor and musician Ntobeko Sishi recently cracked open this silence. Known for his breakout role as Ntokozo in the hit drama "Gomora", Sishi shared a raw, deeply personal story of loss, rejection, and ultimately, forgiveness. His words not only moved thousands online but also unearthed a universal truth: sometimes, we are grieving people who are still alive. 'Rejection has been a huge part of my life … and trying to make it have less of a negative impact on me has been the biggest challenge,' Sishi confessed on "The Inside Show" podcast with George Avakian. In a TikTok snippet, he relays how he lost his mother at just six years old. What followed was a painful twist: just four years later, his father, his only remaining parent disowned him. At 10, he found himself alone at Durban airport, unsure of where he belonged. That kind of abandonment, he said, never really leaves you. This experience is far from uncommon. The pain of emotional abandonment. While we often discuss the grief that follows physical death, the emotional toll of being rejected especially by family is less understood but equally devastating. A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology highlights that social support is a critical buffer against the negative impacts of grief and rejection. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading But what happens when that support is missing? Or when family the people we're told to rely on are the very source of our wounds? Rejection by a caregiver can result in long-term impacts on a person's self-esteem, attachment style, and ability to trust others. And yet, this form of grief is rarely named or acknowledged. We don't talk enough about when your own blood wants nothing to do with you. The truth is that many people silently endure this type of emotional exile. And they carry it with grace as if it never happened. He recalled: 'My mother always told me, 'it's okay to cry at night. But when the sun rises, put on a smile and walk with grace'. Your pain doesn't need to be worn on your face.' But sometimes, silence is heavy. Sometimes, it needs a voice. Grieving the livingThere's a name for this: ambiguous loss. Coined by family therapist Dr Pauline Boss, it refers to a type of grief that lacks closure. It's what you feel when a loved one is physically present but emotionally absent, or, in Sishi's case, when they've walked away entirely. 'You wrestle with these things for the rest of your life, there was me constantly trying to fit in, …oh you not wanted here, okay, let me go here, no you're not wanted here but now I'm at a place like I'm actually not wanted anywhere I'm gonna go where I want to be.' Unlike death, where society offers rituals like funerals and mourning periods, ambiguous loss is often invalidated. People may say, 'But they're still alive,' as if that erases the pain. But studies show that unresolved grief from emotional estrangement can be just as intense if not more than traditional mourning. Why forgiveness is not about forgetting In 2020, Sishi received a message from a stranger claiming their father was in the hospital. Against all odds, he went. And there, standing at his father's hospital bed, Sishi did something remarkable: he chose forgiveness. 'As angry as I was, I couldn't say anything. He was on life support … So I just forgave him,' he said. Netizens praised Sishi for dealing with a difficult situation in a mature and mature manner @Oratile, wrote, "Every day, it becomes apparent that everyone has a story." @Kay Mpete added, "And he played a role where he had loving parents, I can only imagine what that was like emotionally and mentally 💔." @Thickleeyonce wrote: "Ugh man this made me cry 🥺🥺🥺." @Lebogang added: "Oh sishii 💔😭😭😭I literally cried when you said 'rejection has been a huge part of my life'." @Omphimetse Senokwane added: "Parents don't know how much they destroyed us. My parents made me a mess of a human; they are not here, and I have so many questions." Forgiveness is for you, not the other person. It doesn't mean reconciliation. It means choosing peace over pain. And peace is a powerful healer.
