Cape Town – Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has warned Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) that institutions which obstruct oversight, misuse public resources or consistently fail to perform will face consequences.
He said the government is stepping up efforts to strengthen governance across South Africa’s skills development system.
According to a statement he was speaking at the induction of newly appointed SETA Accounting Authorities and Chief Executive Officers in Boksburg on Thursday, Manamela said the programme marked the beginning of a governance and performance reset aimed at driving the government’s broader Skills Revolution. He emphasised that those appointed had accepted a public responsibility that would directly influence the country’s ability to develop skills, create employment opportunities and support economic growth.
The minister said South Africa could no longer afford weak governance, institutional drift or programmes that consume public money without delivering meaningful results.
“I will remain engaged. I will listen. I will support institutions that are doing the work. But I will act where governance, performance or public trust is placed at risk.”
Manamela said the Skills Revolution was not simply a slogan, but a programme designed to transform the country’s skills development system by shifting the focus from fragmented institutions and training inputs to measurable outcomes that improve productivity, employment and economic development. He said SETAs should be judged by their ability to close skills gaps, strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and community colleges, expand workplace-based learning and help people secure sustainable employment or establish businesses.
Catch the highlights from the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela, as he addresses the two-day induction of SETA Accounting Authorities and Chief Executive Officers. #SkillsDevelopment #SETAGovernance #DHET #CapacityBuilding pic.twitter.com/Pu1vqrW2wO
— HigherEducationZA (@HigherEduGovZA) July 23, 2026
He stressed that good governance was essential to achieving these objectives, warning that governance failures ultimately affect ordinary South Africans waiting for opportunities.
“Governance is what makes delivery possible. When governance collapses, programmes stall, leadership is paralysed, funds drift from their purpose, and the public loses faith.”
The minister urged Accounting Authorities and executives to uphold the highest standards of ethical leadership, saying procurement, appointments and funding decisions must always reflect fairness, transparency and integrity.
He also warned board members against pursuing personal interests or interfering in the day-to-day management of institutions, while cautioning executives against withholding information or creating parallel centres of power.
“Ethical leadership cannot be delegated. Every decision you take should be able to withstand public scrutiny.”
Manamela said cooperation with the National Skills Authority (NSA) would be mandatory, adding that government would not tolerate institutions frustrating lawful oversight through delays or incomplete disclosure of information.
“We will not tolerate delayed documents. We will not tolerate selective disclosure. We will not tolerate correspondence that goes unanswered. Delay is not cooperation. Partial cooperation is not cooperation.”
He explained that government intends to strengthen the NSA’s capacity to monitor governance, evaluate performance and provide independent oversight, while ensuring its expanded role is accompanied by accountability and measurable outputs.
Outlining government’s approach, Manamela said institutions that acknowledge weaknesses and demonstrate improvement would receive support, including technical assistance where necessary. However, he made it clear that those found obstructing oversight, concealing information, misusing public funds or persistently underperforming would face firm action.
“Where there is obstruction, concealment, persistent non-performance, the misuse of public resources, or defiance of lawful oversight – there will be consequences.”
The minister concluded by calling on every SETA to embrace the reforms and commit to stronger governance, greater cooperation and improved performance, saying the success of the Skills Revolution would ultimately be measured by the opportunities created for workers, learners, employers and communities.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
