Doctor Blade Nzimande – Minister of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation – has welcomed doctor Nkosinathi Sishi into the fold.

The minister tweeted out several messages about Sishi in this thread which is made easier to read in the statement below:

I am pleased to welcome Dr Nkosinathi Sishi as the new Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Dr Sishi’s previous work in the PSET sector speaks for itself. He is a seasoned leader with over 35 years’ experience in the different spheres of Government and at State-Owned Enterprises.

Director-General Sishi will officially assume his new responsibilities on the 1st November 2021 for a period of 5 years. He will have my full support and backing. I call upon the entire PSET system to give Dr Sishi all the support and co-operation he may need.

PSET stands for Post-School Education [and] Training. More about this area of schooling is explained in on this official South African government site which, as usual, isn’t working at the moment.

According to Sishi’s LinkedIn he has worked in government as well as the private sector. His last governmental position was as Deputy Director General: Public Entity Oversight at the Department of Transport. His last governmental education position was as Deputy Director General: Planning, Policy and Strategy at the Department of Higher Education and Training between August 2016 and October 2017.

With 1st November fast approaching and the Matric exams happening soon, we will see how Sishi performs sooner rather than later. With the pandemic still plaguing South Africa and negatively affecting the education system, a change seems to be welcome.

[Image – GovernmentZA]