Economic Freedom Fighters lawmaker Sihle Lonzi accused Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela of bypassing recruitment regulations when selecting chief executives for training authorities. The politician demanded on Thursday, October 30, 2025, that Manamela return from Switzerland to address Parliament about appointments made without advertisements or interviews as required by the Skills Development Act rules.
Manamela traveled with President Cyril Ramaphosa on a state visit to Switzerland from October 29 through October 30. The minister announced new leadership for 21 skills development agencies on Wednesday, October 2, following the placement of three organizations under administration in August. Youth unemployment reaches 45.5 percent for South Africans aged 15 to 34, according to Statistics SA data.
Democratic Alliance member Karabo Khakhau submitted a similar complaint on Thursday, requesting committee hearings. Civil organizations warn that leadership problems within training authorities contribute to skills shortages affecting more than 4 million young people who are either unemployed or undereducated. The minister defended selections as necessary for improving governance standards.
Manamela traveled with President Cyril Ramaphosa on a state visit to Switzerland from October 29 through October 30. The minister announced new leadership for 21 skills development agencies on Wednesday, October 2, following the placement of three organizations under administration in August. Youth unemployment reaches 45.5 percent for South Africans aged 15 to 34, according to Statistics SA data.
Democratic Alliance member Karabo Khakhau submitted a similar complaint on Thursday, requesting committee hearings. Civil organizations warn that leadership problems within training authorities contribute to skills shortages affecting more than 4 million young people who are either unemployed or undereducated. The minister defended selections as necessary for improving governance standards.
