Stability and Skills: Newly Appointed SETA Authorities Usher in a Critical Governance Cycle

PRETORIA – In a decisive move to stabilise South Africa’s skills development ecosystem, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela, has officially announced the full constitution and appointment of new Accounting Authorities (AAs) for all Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), effective 30 September 2025.

This sweeping governance overhaul marks the beginning of a new, critical five-year cycle for the SETAs, which are pivotal in channeling skills development levies to address the country's critical and scarce skills needs.

A Foundation for Stability and Continuity

The appointment of the Accounting Authorities is designed to end a period of uncertainty and ensure uninterrupted execution of the SETAs' mandates. Deputy Minister Manamela emphasised that this is a "key milestone in stabilising governance across the skills development sector."

As their first urgent task, all newly seated AAs have been directed to:

• Recommend and appoint interim Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to prevent any leadership vacuum following the expiry of current CEO contracts at the end of September 2025.
• Immediately commence the recruitment process for permanent CEOs, ensuring these appointments adhere to the Skills Development Act and the SETA Standard Constitution.

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Aligning Skills with National Economic Priorities

Deputy Minister Manamela framed the new governance cycle as a strategic opportunity to refocus the entire SETA system. The core mandate is to directly support key national objectives.

“The new governance cycle for SETAs provides an opportunity to strengthen accountability, improve performance, and align skills development more closely with the national priorities of job creation, industrialisation, the just energy transition, and inclusive economic growth,” Manamela stated.

This signals a clear intent to move beyond mere compliance and ensure that skills development directly fuels South Africa's economic engine and social development goals.

A Diverse and Expert-Led Governance Structure

The newly appointed Accounting Authorities have been constituted to be both representative and highly competent. Deputy Minister Manamela highlighted that the members reflect a "balanced demographic and professional profile," with:

• Gender balance.
• Strong representation of youth.
• Substantial participation from historically disadvantaged groups.

Crucially, the AAs are not just representative but are also packed with expertise. The members bring knowledge from across the social partners, including organised labour, business, community development, professional bodies, government, and higher education institutions.

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“This ensures that the SETAs’ governance structures are not only inclusive but also grounded in the technical and sectoral knowledge required to advance South Africa’s skills revolution,” Manamela added.

The department is also fast-tracking the appointment of chairpersons for these new authorities, with announcements expected shortly. The Deputy Minister concluded by wishing the new appointee's success and assuring them of the department’s full support.