The Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training is a public entity that sets and monitors standards for general and further education and training in South Africa in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework Act No 67 of 2008 [as amended] and the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act No 58 of 2001 [as amended].
The Council is accountable and responsible to the Minister of Basic Education, who is under the National Government, for the performance and affairs of Umalusi.
Umalusi has a legislative mandate to develop and manage its sub-framework of qualifications for general and further education and training and for the attendant quality assurance.
In order to issue learners with certificates that are credible, Umalusi:
- Develops and evaluates qualifications and curricula to ensure that they are of the expected standard
- Moderates assessment to ensure that it is fair, valid and reliable
- Accredits providers of education and training, and assessment
- Conducts research to ensure educational quality
- Verifies the authenticity of certificates.
Umalusi is currently responsible for the certification of the following qualifications:
Schools
- Senior Certificate (amended) (SCa) – continues as a revised qualification for adults
- National Senior Certificate (NSC)
TVET Colleges
- National Technical Certificate (N3)
- National Certificate Vocational NC(V)
Adult Learning Centres
- General Education and Training Certificate: Adults (GETC)
The Council’s name
Umalusi is derived from Nguni and it means “shepherd or herder.” Umalusi takes care of one of the nations most treasured assets – the standards of general and further education and training, hence its name. In Nguni culture ‘Umalusi’ also means the guardian of the familys wealth.
Vision
The vision of the Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training is to be a trusted authority in fostering high education standards in general and further education and training.
Mission
The mission of the Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training is to be a quality council that assures education standards in the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-framework.
Values
The values of the Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training are:
- Transparency: Umalusi’s processes are available for public scrutiny
- Professionalism: Umalusi employees provide services and interact with stakeholders with great rapport.
- Integrity: Umalusi conducts its operations honestly and ethically.
- Reliability: Umalusi uses consistent procedures in its quality assurance processes.
- Impartiality: Umalusi maintains equal treatment of standards for all stakeholders.
Governance
Umalusi is governed and guided by the National Qualifications Act No 67 of 2008 [as amended] and its founding Act the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act No 58 of 2001 [amended in 2008].
Umalusi Council is appointed by the Minister of Basic Education to give effect to its mandate as expressed in these Acts.
Umalusi also answers to the Minister of Higher Education and Training in respect of the certification of qualifications offered in TVET colleges and adult learning centres.
Umalusi works in line with a five-year strategic plan agreed with the Ministers of Education. The strategic plan sets out Umalusis strategic priorities and performance measures. The strategic plan provides a framework for the annual business plan, which informs the Councils day-to-day work and provides a basis for assessing performance.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Prof Yunus Ballim
Deputy Chairperson
- Prof Thabo Msibi
Council Members
- Dr K Dos Reis
- Ms T Futshane
- Dr W Green
- Mr D Hindle
- Prof L Jita
- Mr NT Johnstone
- Adv J Merabe
- Ms ME Metcalfe
- Dr L Mokotjo
- Dr RE Moraka
- Ms L Moyane
- Dr B Mthembu
- Dr C Myburgh
- Mr V Naidoo
- Ms F Solomon
- Ms N Starr
Chief Executive Officer
- Dr Mafu S Rakometsi
Chief Financial Officer
- Mr Hendrik van der Walt
Senior Management
- Dr Mary-Antoinette Dliwayo
- Mr Thato Khaha
- Mr Biki Lepota
- Mr Mafeta Mabelebele
- Ms Mary Malia
- Dr Agnes Mohale
- Ms Molly Mokoena
- Mr Hezekiel Moloise (Council Secretariat)
- Mr Kenny Monate
- Mr Emmanuel Sibanda (Executive Manager: Qualifications and Research)
- Dr Eva Sujee (Executive Manager: Quality Assurance and Monitoring)
- Ms Cindy Thomas
Communications Officers
- Mr Biki Lepota (Senior Manager: PR and Communications)
Contact Details
The contact details of the Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | 37 General Van Ryneveld Street, Persequor Technopark, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0020 |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 151 , Persequor Technopark, Pretoria, 0020 |
| Telephone: | 012 349 1510 |
| Email Addresses: | General queries: info@umalusi.org.za Certification: certification@umalusi.org.za Verification: verification@umalusi.org.za Accreditation: accreditation@umalusi.org.za |
| Website: | www.umalusi.org.za |
