The Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, has officially officiated the induction of the 6th Board of the National Skills Authority (NSA) on 6 May 2025.
The newly appointed board is chaired by Asanda Luwaca, a leader with experience in skills development and youth empowerment.
In an interview with African Times, Luwaca said the 6th board, appointed by Nkabane, is the result of a rigorous, meticulous, and clinical process that the Minister of Higher Education began.
“What culminated from this process was a blend of diverse skills and competencies, individuals who are both ethical and capable to work collectively within the Post-School Education and Training sector to positively turn around the system,” Asanda added.
The appointed board includes a blend of new and returning members. This ensures fresh, innovative ideas are merged with the institutional memory of experienced members.
Luwaca highlighted significant changes South African youth will experience: “Key, among other things, is that the Authority’s monitoring scope was only limited to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). However, now the focus will be on the entire Post-School Education and Training (PSET).”
The NSA bears an ambitious mandate to shape national skills development, oversee sectoral performance, and ensure alignment across PSET. Yet, its financial and institutional capacity remains constrained, and this contradiction must be resolved, Lucala mentioned.
Chairperson Asanda also emphasised the critical need to establish mechanisms for regular engagement with SETAs, TVET and CET colleges, universities, and provincial skills development forums to track progress and correct deviations.
The late President Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Luwaca concluded: “In 2025, skills are the sharpest edge of that weapon, we intend on sharpening it.”
The new elected board of the NSA members, which represents different constituencies and will serve a five-year term from 2025 to 2030, are:
Asanda Luwaca as the Chairperson.
- Under Labour constituency:
Sekete Moshoeshoe, Abieda Abraham, Fikile Dikolomena, Boitumelo Ben Senokoane and Basil Lawrence Manuel.
- Business and Community Constituency:
Dr Tholsiavellie Naidoo, Simone Felix, Tommy Oliphant, Jahni De Villiers, Sam Rolland,
Nomfuneko Salaze, Gugu Ntingane, Sisipho PalominoJama, Nhlanhla Ndlovu and Mbusi Nzimande.
- State Constituency:
Zanele Ngwenya, Bonginkosi Mamba, Dikeledi Mhlongo, Shadrack Nimrod Mpondomse and Phindithemba Manqele.
- Education and Training Providers: Dr Shirley Lloyd – Private Providers (APPETD) , Basiami Disipi – Universities South Africa (USAF) , Mpopelele Agnes Matlawa – Community Education and Training (CET) , Tebogo Johannes Kekana – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
- Skills Experts: Prof Dipiloane Phutsisi – Motheo TVET College , Prof Hoosen Rasool – Association of Technical and Academic Skills Authorities (ATASA).
- Employment Services: Khani Mhlongo and Dr Noel Zanoxolo Sicwebu.
- Under Labour constituency:
Sekete Moshoeshoe, Abieda Abraham, Fikile Dikolomena, Boitumelo Ben Senokoane and Basil Lawrence Manuel.
- Business and Community Constituency:
Dr Tholsiavellie Naidoo, Simone Felix, Tommy Oliphant, Jahni De Villiers, Sam Rolland,
Nomfuneko Salaze, Gugu Ntingane, Sisipho PalominoJama, Nhlanhla Ndlovu and Mbusi Nzimande.
- State Constituency: Zanele Ngwenya, Bonginkosi Mamba, Dikeledi Mhlongo, Shadrack Nimrod Mpondomse and Phindithemba Manqele.
- Education and Training Providers: Dr Shirley Lloyd – Private Providers (APPETD) Basiami Disipi – Universities South Africa (USAF) Mpopelele Agnes Matlawa – Community Education and Training (CET) Tebogo Johannes Kekana – Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
- Skills Experts: Prof Dipiloane Phutsisi – Motheo TVET College Prof Hoosen Rasool – Association of Technical and Academic Skills Authorities (ATASA)
- Employment Services: Khani Mhlongo and Dr Noel Zanoxolo Sicwebu. Quality Assurance and Qualifications Bodies: Nadia Starr – South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Dr Vijayen Naidoo – Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
