ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe’s son Buyambo Mantashe feels prejudiced by a decision taken by Minister of Higher Education and Training Nobuhle Nkabane, to rescind all Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) board chairpersons appointments.
Mantashe jnr was appointed by Nkabane as the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority board chairperson, alongside prominent ANC politicians and others who are linked to the party.
The minister faced mounting pressure and backlash from opposition parties and the public this week, after a leaked list of the newly appointed board chairpersons made the rounds on social media.
Mantashe’s son told Sunday World that he applied to be a board chairperson on his own and was not relying on his father to influence the process.
He believes the matter makes him seem like a “second-hand” citizen when he is in fact qualified for the position.
“I applied, the minister did not inform me of any influence and I did not ask my dad for permission. Did he influence my appointment? It is for him to answer that question,” he said.
Mantashe holds a BSc in agricultural economics from the Fort Hare University, a Master of Science in agricultural economics and management from China Agriculture University and an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science, among other qualifications.
“I more than qualify, even with requirements which were set up. I think it is unfair that we are found guilty by the court of public opinion because I was born to a politician. I am not a secondary citizen of South Africa. I have rights like everyone,” he said.
According to Mantashe, it is within his rights as a South African citizen to serve in any public or private institution, apart from the mineral resources department, where his father is the minister.
“The bigger thing is, it sounds as if I am some dunderhead who does not know anything, and I am only there because of my dad,” he lamented.
While he mentioned how the withdrawal of his appointment is tantamount to unfair dismissal, Mantashe has accepted the minister’s decision and will not be taking legal action against the government.
Following the public outcry surrounding this matter, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula summoned Nkabane to a meeting.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday, saw Mbalula “laying the law” for Nkabane, and strong-arming her to send letters of withdrawal to all successful candidates, according to a mole close to the matter.
“She had to answer to Mbalula because she was very clumsy,” a source told Sunday World.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu, deputy communications minister Philemon Mapulane, former KZN premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, former KZN sports MEC Amanda Mapena and member of the mayoral committee in the City of Joburg Loyiso Masuku are listed.
Others who are deemed as close allies of the ANC include Mantashe’s advisor Gwebinkudla Qonde, president of SA Youth Council and SACP member, Thulani Tshefutaa and former Mzala Nxumalo ANC regional secretary Zakhele Buthelezi, who had to step down from his position after being charged with bribery.
In the statement issued on Thursday evening informing the public of her decision to rescind the appointments, Nkabane acknowledged that this move was in the interest of good governance and transparency to ensure accountability of the appointment process.
This was subsequently followed by a statement from the ANC backing Nkabane’s decision.
The newly appointed board chairperson has already been served with notices of the withdrawal by the department.
In a letter dated May 15, 2023, addressed to Qonde, Nkabane states the reasons for her decision and apologises for the inconvenience.
“Following developments relating to the process of appointing Seta chairpersons, which requires my further attention and consideration, kindly be informed that I have taken a decision to rescind the letter issued to appoint you as Seta chairperson with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
Applications for the positions will be reopened, and the minister will be gazetting a call for nominations for the duration of seven days.
Nkabane has also established a new independent panel to process the nominations and recommend candidates.
“This process will emphasise merit, competencies, and relevant experiences, with balanced representations in terms of race, gender, youth and persons with disabilities.
“Similar to the previous process, all recommended candidates will have to pass the necessary screening and vetting processes,” according to the statement.
Nkabane was lambasted by opposition MPs this week after a leaked list of the chairpersons made the rounds on social media.
The DA’s Karabo Khakhau was the first MP to post the list on social media, highlighting its inclusion of ANC politicians as well as Mantashe’s son.
She, along with the MK Party’s Sihle Ngubane, wrote to the higher education portfolio committee chair Tebogo Letsie flagging the matter.
In the committee’s meeting with the Construction Education and Training Authority (Ceta) on Wednesday, MPs demanded answers about the appointments, but Nkabane was unable to attend because of cabinet commitments.
Letsie mentioned that parliament had not been sent an official confirmation of the new appointments. After deliberations, it was resolved that they would wait until Nkabane was able to appear before the committee or send the verified list.
This is despite Buthelezi having already introduced himself as the chairperson of Ceta at the beginning of the meeting.
The EFF’s Sihle Lonzi arrived at the committee meeting late and tried to revive the conversation around the appointments. After a heated exchange, Lonzi was then booted out of the meeting, as per Letsie’s instructions.
EFF national chairperson Nontando Nolutshungu has since written to Cedrick Frolick, who leads the committees and oversight at the national assembly rules committee, lodging a formal complaint about Letsie’s “irregular” conduct.
“The chairperson interrupted, undermined and ultimately attempted to suppress honourable Lonzi’s questions. This occurred in the presence of departmental officials and other members of the committee,” the letter reads.
Nolutshungu has requested that the matter be investigated by the office of the chair of chairs, and guidance be issued to all committee chairpersons regarding their duties to uphold the rules of the assembly, and that a formal correspondence be sent to Letsie reminding him of Rule 184 and the responsibility to facilitate impartial proceedings.
“Should the conduct persist, we reserve the right to escalate this matter to the speaker [Thoko Didiza] of the National Assembly and the rules committee for formal inquiry and resolution. We make this submission not to stifle debate, but to protect the very right to it,” according to Nolutshungu.
