Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, who is also the Executive Authority of the National Skills Fund (NSF), has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's order to investigate the entity.
Last month, the President signed Proclamation 253 of 2025, granting South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit (SIU) the authority to investigate allegations of serious maladministration and financial mismanagement within the NSF.
The NSF funds skills development initiatives which aim to improve the skills base of the South African workforce. It supports various training programmes and projects targeting unemployed individuals and those seeking to upskill themselves.
Nkanbane confirmed that a meeting between the SIU and the National Skills Fund has already taken in which the NSF was served with a letter of intent by the SIU.
This meeting provided an opportunity for a full brief on the scope of the investigation and what will be required from the entity, to assist the investigation.
The minister said the NSF will cooperate fully with the investigation by providing all required documentation, including reports from previous internal investigations.
“The National Skills Fund is a law-abiding entity under my department,” she said.
We believe this investigation and its outcomes will set the NSF on a new trajectory as it repositions itself as a catalytic change agent in our communities and the country at large.
What The Investigation Will Focus On
The SIU’s NSF investigation will focus on procurement and contracting for the implementation of skills development programmes, training projects, and the appointment of implementing agents.
The investigation will cover the following projects:
- Yikhonolakho Woman and Youth Primary Co-operative Limited (NSF 16/1/3/21)
- Dithipe Development Institute (Pty) Limited
- Dzunde Farming Co-operative Limited - Rural Development
- Dual System Apprenticeship Pilot Project - Port Elizabeth TVET College (NSF10/3/8/2/9)
- Rubicon Communication CC
- Centre for Education Policy Development (Fruitless & Wasteful Expenditure) - NSF 16/2/1/2 & NSF 10/4/4/3
- Emanzini Staffing Solutions (Pty) Limited (NSF16/1/4/55 and/or 2016-NSFWIL - 0174)
- ADA Holdings (NSF16/1/4/5, Ingewe TVET College - NSF/16/3/2/2 & Lusikisiki/ Bizana - NSF/16/1/2/3)
- Ekurhuleni West TVET College (NSF16/1/2/39)
- Passionate about People (Pty) Limited (NSF/16/1/3/12&16).
The SIU will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure by the NSF or the Department of Higher Education and Training. The scope of the investigation includes any unlawful or improper conduct by suppliers, service providers, and other involved parties between 1 January 2013 and 28 March 2025 or related matters before or after this period.
