As criticism grows over acting appointments in the higher education sector, MPs have questioned why permanent appointments have not been filled. A leaked letter obtained by Daily Maverick shows that a preferred candidate for the National Skills Fund was identified almost a year ago, yet no appointment has been finalised.
The National Skills Fund (NSF) has come under fresh scrutiny as Members of Parliament have questioned why the skill development body remains without a permanent chief executive almost two years after the post became vacant.
The leadership vacuum has raised concerns about governance, accountability and political interference, with MPs arguing that continued reliance on acting appointments in the higher education sector has become a defining feature of the Department for Higher Education and Training.
The long vacancy came after the department's budget vote debate on 26 May 2026, when EFF MP Sihle Lonzi criticized Minister Buti Manmela over persistent vacancies in universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and other institutions.
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“How do you explain that in universities, TVET colleges, SETAS and other institutions, critical vacancies remain vacant? With so much unemployment in our country, acting principals, acting CEOs, acting directors and acting DDGs have become permanent features under your leadership; it is Hollywood; everyone is acting,” Lonzi said.
Read more GNU supports Manamela's R149bn budget while opposition criticizes NSFAS and SETAS, May 26, 2026 The NSF, which largely finances education, training and skills development initiatives, has been led…