Governance Reforms, TVET Expansion and Digital Transformation in Higher Education Sector: Buti Manamela

South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, says his department has intensified efforts to stabilise governance, reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and accelerate digital transformation across the post-school education and training system since assuming office.

Delivering Budget Vote 17 in Parliament on Tuesday, Manamela outlined a broad reform agenda aimed at addressing longstanding structural weaknesses within the sector while strengthening links between education, employability, and economic participation.

“Where Is the System Stuck?”

Opening his address, Manamela said his administration has focused on identifying the key obstacles preventing the post-school education and training system from functioning effectively.

“Since my appointment, I have asked of every official, every entity, every council, and every meeting one question: where is the system stuck, and what will it take to unstick it?” the Minister said.

He explained that the department has prioritised four major streams of intervention designed to improve governance, skills development, digital capacity, and institutional planning.

Governance Stabilisation a Major Priority

The first major intervention has focused on stabilising governance across institutions and entities operating under the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Manamela highlighted decisive action taken at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which has faced persistent governance and operational challenges in recent years.

“Where the institution fell short of the public trust placed in it, we acted within the law to restore order, protect students, and put in place a remedial path,” he said.

NSFAS has come under intense scrutiny over issues including:

• Funding delays

• Administrative failures

• Governance concerns

• Student payment challenges

• Operational inefficiencies

The Minister also confirmed that several underperforming Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) have been placed under administration.

Stronger Accountability Measures Introduced

According to Manamela, the department is institutionalising a range of governance reforms aimed at strengthening accountability across the sector.

These measures include:

• Audit action plans

• Council development programmes

• Pre-employment screening for senior managers

• Governance monitoring mechanisms

“Consequence management is no longer a slogan; it is becoming a discipline,” the Minister stated.

The government has increasingly emphasized governance reform and institutional accountability in response to concerns about mismanagement and inefficiencies within education entities.

TVET Colleges Positioned as Core Skills Driver

The second major reform focus involves repositioning TVET colleges as the primary driver of occupational and technical skills development in South Africa.

Manamela announced that 24 new occupational qualifications were introduced at TVET colleges from January 2026.

The government has also established a target for:

• 30% of TVET enrolment to be in occupational qualifications and skills programmes

The Minister emphasized that strengthening technical and vocational education is critical for addressing youth unemployment, industrial skills shortages, and economic productivity challenges.

Lecturer and Council Training Programmes Expanded

To strengthen institutional capacity, the department plans to:

• Ensure 500 TVET lecturers obtain formal qualifications

• Train 150 TVET council members

These interventions are intended to improve teaching quality, governance capacity, and institutional leadership within the TVET sector.

Regional Industrial Skills Compacts Planned

Manamela also announced the establishment of:

• Five regional industrial skills compacts

These partnerships are expected to improve alignment between training institutions and industry labour market needs.

The Minister further revealed that government will table a comprehensive:

TVET Turnaround Strategy

by 30 September 2026.

The strategy is expected to directly address chronic challenges affecting the TVET system, including:

• Infrastructure limitations

• Skills mismatches

• Governance concerns

• Low completion rates

• Industry alignment gaps

Department Expanding Digital and Future Skills Capacity

The third major reform area focuses on digital transformation and future-oriented skills development across the post-school education system.

The department plans to:

• Complete a feasibility study for online public TVET by March 2027

• Introduce a TVET digital transformation strategy

• Launch four new programmes on the National Open Learning System

• Expand Khetha career services to reach 250,000 users

• Establish a Skills Development Zone

Officials say these initiatives aim to modernise the education system while preparing students for evolving labour market demands linked to technology and digital economies.

Push Toward Online and Open Learning

The proposed online public TVET model reflects broader global trends toward flexible and technology-driven education delivery systems.

Experts note that digital learning systems could help:

• Expand access to education

• Improve remote learning opportunities

• Reduce infrastructure pressure

• Reach underserved communities

• Improve lifelong learning access

However, analysts also caution that digital transformation will require major investments in:

• Connectivity

• Digital infrastructure

• Lecturer training

• Student access to devices and internet services

Khetha Career Services Expansion

The department also plans to expand Khetha career services, a platform aimed at providing career guidance and information to students and job seekers.

The target is to reach 250,000 users through improved digital career support systems.

Officials believe stronger career guidance can help improve alignment between education pathways and labour market opportunities.

Reshaping the Post-School Education System

The fourth major intervention area focuses on restructuring the size and long-term planning of the post-school education and training system.

Manamela confirmed that government is finalising:

• A university enrolment plan for 2025–2030

• A five-year TVET enrolment strategy

The Minister stated that infrastructure and student accommodation remain critical priorities for future expansion.

“We are addressing student housing and infrastructure as the precondition for any meaningful expansion,” he said.

Education Must Lead to Economic Participation

Throughout his speech, Manamela repeatedly emphasized that the post-school education system must become more closely linked to employability and economic participation.

“We inherit a system of great achievement and deep contradiction. It has opened doors for millions. It has not yet built enough bridges to work, to innovation, and to economic participation,” he said.

The Minister stated that government’s long-term objective is to transform the post-school system into a platform for:

• Economic inclusion

• Productivity

• Innovation

• Employment creation

• Youth empowerment

Youth Unemployment Driving Reform Urgency

South Africa continues to face one of the world’s highest youth unemployment rates, placing increasing pressure on the education and skills development system.

Analysts note that strengthening technical education, vocational training, and labour market alignment has become a central policy priority for addressing:

• Skills shortages

• Unemployment

• Economic stagnation

• Industrial competitiveness challenges

The reforms announced by Manamela reflect growing recognition that education systems must adapt more rapidly to changing economic and technological realities.

Focus on Practical Implementation

The Minister stressed that the department’s challenge now lies not only in policy formulation but in practical implementation and measurable outcomes.

Observers say the success of the reforms will likely depend on:

• Governance stability

• Institutional capacity

• Funding availability

• Industry partnerships

• Infrastructure improvements

• Digital readiness

The coming years are expected to be critical for determining whether South Africa’s post-school education reforms can successfully improve graduate employability and contribute to broader economic development goals.