Fashion designer Hangwani Nengovhela has signed an acknowledgement of debt to repay R2.7 million plus interest to the National Skills Fund after a Special Investigating Unit probe found the funds misused. The grant was intended to train 100 learners in clothing manufacturing but was depleted before training began. Her husband, Tshamano Nengovhela, expressed regret and shifted responsibility to himself.
In 2018, Rubicon Communications, owned by Hangwani Nengovhela, received a R2.7 million grant from the National Skills Fund to train 100 learners over 12 months in clothing and textile manufacturing. The funds were transferred into an existing Rubicon Clothing account and depleted by 31 December 2018, before the first learner arrived. The Special Investigating Unit stated the money was diverted to operational expenses, logistics, machinery, rentals, loan repayments, school fees, and personal transfers.
Learners from Protea Glen, Soweto, faced issues including inadequate accommodation, missing equipment and stipends, and signing attendance registers in advance for unheld classes. The training site in Randburg could only accommodate 15-20 students, had only 12 sewing machines, and classes were erratic. In June 2019, the premises were locked due to unpaid rent, halting the programme.
Rubicon's accreditation with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority had lapsed, and claims of partnerships with Wits University and Energy Clothing were unsubstantiated. Wits University denied any involvement, and Energy Clothing was liquidated shortly after the project started.
Last week, following a March 2025 proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa authorising the SIU probe, Nengovhela agreed to repay the amount in monthly instalments of R74,772. Tshamano Nengovhela wrote, “We wish to express our sincere regret to all affected stakeholders, particularly the learners,” and claimed he managed the project. NSF acting CEO Melissa Erra said the recovery protects public resources.
The NSF referred the matter to the Hawks in 2022, and the SIU plans referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority for possible criminal charges.