Minister reverses SETA appointments amid public outcry

HIGHER Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane's decision to reverse the appointments of chairpersons for several Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAS) has been welcomed by parties as some claimed credit for applying pressure on her.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Nkabane made the about-turn on the appointments on Thursday following public outrage after a leaked list of appointments to SETAs surfaced.

The appointments had included ANC-aligned people that included former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe.

Also on the list was KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport head Siboniso Mbhele, and ANC deputy regional secretary in Johannesburg, who is the wife of former Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku, and SACP leader and former higher education director-general Gwebinkundla Qonde, among others.

DA national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said Nkabane's decision marked a step in the right direction and showed that the pressure applied by her party and civil society has not been in vain.