Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, has broken his silence after Higher Education Minister Nkabane Nobuhle rescinded his appointment as chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA board – part of a sweeping reversal of all recent SETA chair appointments following public outcry.
The minister’s abrupt U-turn came after a leaked list revealed several ANC-linked figures had been appointed to key SETA positions, including Mantashe’s son, ANC KZN coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu, and former KZN premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube. The opposition DA and MK Party quickly raised red flags, with DA MP Karabo Khakhau publicly sharing the list.
“I’m Not a Second-Class Citizen”
In an emotional interview, Buyambo Mantashe pushed back against perceptions that he got the position through nepotism, telling Sunday World: “I more than qualify… I think it is unfair that we are found guilty by the court of public opinion because I was born to a politician.”
The agricultural economist holds degrees from Fort Hare University, China Agricultural University, and GIBS. “Did [my father] influence my appointment? It is for him to answer that question,” he said, while acknowledging he won’t challenge the reversal legally.
Behind the Scenes: Mbalula Intervenes
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula reportedly summoned Minister Nkabane for a tense meeting where she was instructed to withdraw all appointments. “She had to answer to Mbalula because she was very clumsy,” a source revealed.
By Thursday evening, Nkabane issued notices rescinding all appointments, citing the need for “good governance and transparency.” The ANC quickly endorsed her decision.
Parliamentary Fallout
The controversy spilled into Parliament where EFF MP Sihle Lonzi was ejected from a committee meeting after demanding answers about the appointments. The EFF has since filed a formal complaint about the chair’s conduct.
Minister Nkabane has now announced a revamped appointment process with a new independent panel emphasizing merit-based selections. Applications will reopen with strict vetting procedures.
The episode highlights ongoing tensions between political patronage and professional appointments in South Africa’s skills development sector, with opposition parties vowing continued scrutiny of the reset process.