Addressing nepotism, irregularities in SETAS

THE RECENT SETA debacle in South Africa once again highlights the prevalence of nepotism and the continuation of irregularities in South Africa.

- DR SHEETAL BHOOLA

The long-term vision of the role of these SETAs seems to be forgotten. Their purpose is closely aligned with minimising the economic gap between citizens through skills development and employment creation thereafter.

However, the choices some individuals have made to manage these sects with no application of good governance principles, and a lack of ethics, these national objectives are yet to be met.

At the onset of our democracy, both the Congress of the South Africa Trade Union (COSATU) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) demanded a new approach to skills development.

Their stance brought about the establishment of SETAS. South Africa has 21 SETAs established in line with the Skills Development Act (SDA) 97 of 1998 to develop and implement the Sector Skills Plan (SSP).

The purpose of SETAs is to identify skill shortages in their respective sectors. Over the last decade, cases of maladministration, mismanagement of funds, and procedural irregularities have been numerous and have gone unaddressed, benefiting many.

The recent decision by The Higher Education Minister to appoint prominent ANC officials (politicians) as board members was scrutinised, yet the scrutiny and the public awareness do not achieve the desired outcome which should entail modification, transparency in appointment processes as well and unbiased decision-making processes.

The nomination process has been flawed and lacks a structured framework like many other boards in South Africa.