16/10/2026
As Gorakazi Noluthando Ngcukuva, I have a serious concern about individuals and organisations that exploit our poor and vulnerable communities for financial gain.
The Skills Development Sector is facing significant challenges as we transition from the SETA system to the QCTO. Unfortunately, this transition has created uncertainty, disruption and, in some instances, destruction within the sector. While some officials are still struggling to implement the transition effectively, certain Skills Development Providers are taking advantage of the situation for their own benefit.
Sadly, our poor communities are paying the highest price. Billions of rands are invested in skills development, yet we continue to question the meaningful impact of this expenditure on the lives of the people it is intended to serve.
Skills development should never be about ticking boxes, completing paperwork or simply spending allocated funds. It must be about transforming lives, creating opportunities and restoring dignity to our people.
When we deliver quality, relevant and impactful skills development initiatives, our beneficiaries should emerge with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to become employable or to establish their own businesses and create employment opportunities for others.
Our communities deserve better. Public resources must translate into measurable outcomes, sustainable livelihoods and real economic empowerment.
It is time to put people before profit, accountability before compliance, and meaningful impact before numbers on paper.
The ultimate measure of successful skills development should not be how much money we spend, but how many lives we transform.
