Deputy higher education minister Mimmy Gondwe says the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) must begin playing a more meaningful role in reducing SA’s unemployment rate.
Gondwe was responding to questions about the controversy that has surrounded Setas in recent months, culminating in the dismissal of former higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane.
Nkabane was accused of misleading parliament over an “independent panel” which she claimed had approved the appointment of politically connected individuals to Seta boards.
Earlier this year, her initial appointment of 21 board chairs provoked a national outcry when several nominees were found to have ties to the ANC.
Gondwe, who is responsible for TVET colleges, was in KwaNobuhle on Wednesday, closing out Mandela Month at the Phakamile Community Learning Centre, run by the Eastcape Midlands College.
Responding to questions on how important it was for Setas to be stable to ensure students received their stipends and other resources, Gondwe said that was the task of the new higher education minister, Buti Manamela.
“Yes, some of the Setas have been embroiled in allegations of corruption and maladministration, but this doesn’t take away from the role they can play if they are properly managed.
“They can play a fundamental role in this,” Gondwe said.
“It’s not enough for Setas to say they’ve reached 20,000 students, but where are those students?
“You have to take an interest in where they end up because our success as a sector doesn’t lie with how many people we train or skill, but where they end up and whether those skills are demanded and needed in the economy.”
Gondwe said when her department gave a service provider money, she wanted to be apprised of the number of enrolments as well as employment figures afterwards.
“We don’t want a situation where learners are going from one Seta to another just to be able to get a stipend.”
She said through her visits to community colleges across the country, she had gained insight into the challenges they faced, as well as the difficulties experienced by the surrounding communities.
“The challenges extend to food insecurity, low rates of enrolment, lack of resources and infrastructure.
“What struck me the most was the food insecurity part.”
Deputy director-general for community education and training Thembisa Futshane said anyone could attend a community college, even for a short course, or to learn a skill.
“Community colleges enrol people who have no previous educational experience and take them to a grade 12 level.
“You can also come to learn about skills to sustain yourself or prepare you for employment. We don’t discriminate against your ability or disability.”
Futshane said there were 1,791 such centres across SA.
“There will be a centre near you and you can walk in, if you don’t have access to the internet, and ask for more information.”
Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Gary van Niekerk said the city needed partnerships with the government, institutions of learning, non-government organisations and communities.
“Together, we must confront poverty, illiteracy, inequality and unemployment. These are not challenges for government alone — they belong to all of us.
“What excites me the most is the college’s inclusive approach to ensuring that no-one is left behind regardless of background, gender or age.”
One of the attendees of the Mandela Day event, grade 10 dropout Allison Aries, 18, attends night classes at John Walton High School.
She said Eastcape Midlands College had given her a future.
“I dropped out in grade 10, but I always had dreams of being a teacher, and since I started attending classes, I feel like I can make my dream of becoming a teacher a reality.
“I’ve always been told that I won’t amount to anything, but earlier this year I decided to go back to school because I want to be someone, and I’ve got a younger sister who looks up to me.
“I want her to see only positive things and see that I tried,” Aries said.
The Herald
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