The storm around South Africa’s embattled Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) just got louder.
This time, Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela is facing mounting criticism for appointing individuals with tainted reputations to lead key SETAs that are already struggling under administration.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pushing back hard, arguing that the minister’s decision undermines any hope of a genuine turnaround.
Instead of inspiring confidence, the appointments have sparked questions about political favoritism and governance integrity.
Who Did Manamela Appoint?
Earlier this week, Manamela named three administrators to oversee specific SETAs:
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Oupa Nkoane at the Construction SETA (CETA)
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Lehlohonolo Masoga at the Services SETA
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Zukile Mvalo at the Local Government SETA (LGSETA)
But the problem is glaring—each of these individuals has been previously linked to allegations of corruption, mismanagement, or incompetence in government roles.
A Closer Look at Their Track Records
The DA argues that none of the chosen candidates inspire trust:
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Oupa Nkoane, while serving as municipal manager at Emfuleni Local Municipality, was implicated in a forensic report that revealed a staggering R872 million in financial mismanagement.
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Lehlohonolo Masoga, once an ANC MEC in Limpopo, was flagged in another forensic report for allegedly backdating a R4.4 million communications contract when he was CEO of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone.
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Zukile Mvalo, who has been the Department of Higher Education’s Deputy Director General since 2017, has overseen all 21 SETAs for eight years. Despite his long tenure, the DA says he has failed to stabilize the system and questions why he would succeed now.
DA Demands Independent Appointments
Karabo Khakhau, DA spokesperson and member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, confirmed that the party has written to Manamela demanding he withdraw these appointments.
According to Khakhau, the minister cannot claim to be addressing “serious and entrenched governance failures” by placing people with such problematic histories in charge.
Instead, the DA is urging him to appoint independent, non-political figures with no corruption baggage to restore trust and turn the SETAs around.
A Pattern of Political Influence
This isn’t the first time SETA appointments have raised eyebrows.
Earlier in the year, Manamela’s predecessor, Nobuhle Nkabane, faced similar backlash for questionable board selections—many of which were later scrapped after public pressure.
Both the EFF and DA have consistently flagged concerns over the political proximity of SETA board members.
High-profile names linked to past controversies include:
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Former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube (now Manamela’s deputy)
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Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC heavyweight Gwede Mantashe
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Siboniso Mbhele, senior official in the KZN Department of Transport
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Mike Mabuyakhulu, a former KZN MEC
Critics argue that such appointments only deepen the perception that SETAs are being used as political parking bays rather than institutions meant to drive skills development.
What’s Next for the SETAs?
With billions of rand and the country’s skills development at stake, the DA insists South Africa cannot afford more failed leadership in these critical institutions.
The question now is whether Manamela will stick to his controversial appointments—or bow to the growing pressure to bring in independent leadership.
