By Amy Musgrave and Edwin Naidu

The practice of universities collecting application fees from students who make it or not into their institutions has been called into question by the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education.

The committee, which has been visiting various institutions of higher learning in the North West and Gauteng to establish their readiness for the 2025 academic year, says honest and transparent discussions needs to take place.

Universities receive thousands of applications every year, but they are unable to accommodate most students due to limited space. However, many of these institutions do not refund the application fees of those who are not admitted.

Following an oversight visit to the University of Tshwane (TUT), the committee said in a statement over the weekend that open and candid discussions about non-refundable university application fees were needed.

“The committee raised concerns about the practice of universities collecting application fees regardless of whether a student is admitted or not. It emphasised the need for greater transparency.

“The committee also questioned how these funds are utilised and the total amount collected annually. It highlighted the importance of accountability on funds collected from student applications fees,” the statement read.

TUT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tinyiko Maluleke told the committee that processing applications involved significant work, including verification and communication, regardless of the outcome.

This highlighted the administrative effort required to handle applications, even if they were unsuccessful, the statement said.

Last month, it was reported that the University of Witwatersrand received more than 140,000 applications for the 2025 academic year, but placed 6300 new students, showing the heavy demand for places.

It charges R100 for each online application, while non-South Africans, mainly from the continent, pay R700 for the privilege.

Wits, which is one of the country’s top universities and beneficiary of generous donations, makes around R15 million through rejected applications. However, the online application process is not unique to Wits; every institution is tasked with accepting applications in this manner.

Responding on social media, Wits head of communications, Shirona Patel, said that like other universities, it charged an application fee of R100 per applicant as approved by the education department.

“Wits University’s application fee has remained the same for the past six years. The university employs hundreds of assistants, senior students and part-time staff to assist with the application, administration and orientation programmes at the beginning of the year. In addition, online platforms and concomitant technology requires licensing and technical attention,” she said.

She said not only was it a huge task to process all these applications, university was a non-profit institution, and all proceeds go went the academic project and student support.

While some universities have waived application fees for local students, institutions with application fees include the University of Cape Town, whose application fee in 2025 is R100 for South African and Southern African Development Community (SADC) applicants and R300 for other international applicants. Universities that charge a fee include:

The University of Pretoria application fee for 2025 is R300

University of Johannesburg: application fee is R200 for hardcopy applicants, free for online applicants.

University of South Africa’s fee is R140 for online applications

Tshwane University of Technology’s fee is R240

Universities with no application fees are:

University of the Western Cape: Free online application

University of Limpopo: Free online application

Central University of Technology: Free application

Nelson Mandela University: Free for South African citizens

University of Free State: Free application

Walter Sisulu University: Free application for local students

Meanwhile, the deputy director-general for the university education branch at the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Marcia Socikwa,

underscored the need for standardisation across the sector to streamline student interface systems.

According to DHET, 24 out of the 26 universities use similar student interface systems and that these existing systems should facilitate easier integration and improve efficiency. Standardisation could also reduce administrative burdens and enhance the overall student experience.

While the committee commended TUT for its efforts and progress, it expressed concern over students who wake up early and queue for hours for problems that could be addressed within an hour.

It urged the university to prioritise improving its service delivery and ensure that students have access to efficient and timely support.

Furthermore, it called for greater attention to the maintenance and management of university-owned residences, which were critical for student welfare.

On financial matters, the committee noted that the TUT received an unqualified audit opinion for its 2023 standalone annual financial statements. However, challenges remained regarding the financial statements of the Tshwane University of Technology Enterprise Holdings. TUT university assured the committee that it was working on resolving these issues.

On student funding, committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie said: “We eagerly anticipate the appointment of the new board at NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) and remain hopeful that this will bring much-needed stability to the institution. It is our expectation that NSFAS will soon be in a position to effectively fulfil its critical mandate of providing financial support to students especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

He said added that addressing these issues would not only improve the student experience, but also strengthen public trust in the system.

Open dialogue and collaboration between universities, government bodies and stakeholders were essential to drive meaningful change, Letsie said.

INSIDE POLITICS

By Johnathan Paoli

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has highlighted the role of education in community development, praising the Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust (VTET) for remaining a beacon of hope in Johannesburg’s Alexandra community and beyond.

Mashatile was addressing the annual VTET Bursary Awards at San Kopano, recognising outstanding academic achievements and stressing that education assists in bridging gaps and creating opportunities for future leaders.

The trust, named after the late struggle hero, Congress of South African Students chair and founder of the Alexandra Youth Congress who was killed in 1985, has provided financial aid and academic support to deserving students for over two decades.

Mashatile said that as the country commemorated 40 years since his passing, the trust continued to honour his vision of education as a transformative tool for youth empowerment.

“Comrade Vincent had a deep appreciation for education and a strong desire to see all young people acquire an education of the highest possible standard. He believed that education is the greatest equaliser,” he said.

The deputy president lauded the Class of 2024 for achieving a historic 87.3% matric pass rate, highlighting continued progress in dismantling apartheid-era inequalities.

This year, 52 students will receive bursaries, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 663, comprising 348 female and 263 male recipients.

The trust has also awarded prizes to 810 Grade 10 and 11 learners, encouraging them to excel in their studies and strive for further opportunities.

Mashatile underscored the importance of partnerships in sustaining the trust’s initiatives.

The VTET School Sports Festival, launched in collaboration with soccer legends Sibusiso “Cosmos” Zwane and Maimane Phiri, has provided a platform for 17 schools to showcase their talent.

The festival saw Minerva Secondary School, Tshabala’s former school, emerge victorious in both netball and boys’ soccer.

Additionally, the trust’s career guidance workshops, featuring over 40 professionals from various industries, have guided more than 1200 Grade 12 learners, equipping them with essential knowledge for their future endeavours.

The VTET Leadership Development Programme, facilitated in partnership with Upward Bound, has empowered 180 young leaders.

Collaborations with St Stithians College, Connect Hub and the African Youth Literature Institute have further enhanced mentorship and literacy initiatives in Alexandra schools.

The trust also hosted its inaugural breakfast seminar, where education experts, including Vaal University of Technology Chancellor, Zweli Mntambo discussed the role of education in economic and social sustainability.

Beyond secondary education, the trust has partnered with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to promote literacy through the “Making Reading Fun” initiative in five primary schools.

Additionally, the Lumohawk Foundation has provided eye screenings for nearly 6000 children, supplying 189 with corrective glasses.

The trust has also distributed dignity packs and groceries to vulnerable families, reinforcing its commitment to holistic community support.

Despite the country’s impressive matric pass rate, Mashatile expressed concern over the declining student retention rate, which stands at 64.5%.

He called for collective action to combat school dropouts driven by teenage pregnancy, substance abuse financial hardship and academic struggles.

Mashatile congratulated the bursary recipients and encouraged them to pursue their aspirations with determination.

“This annual bursary award is not only a testament to your achievements, but also a symbol of our shared conviction that you have the potential to accomplish greater things in the future,” he said.

The deputy president implored the recipients to set ambitious goals for themselves and strive to achieve greater heights.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Xolisa Phillip

The publication of INSETA’s 2023-24 annual report, which marks four years into the organisation’s five-year strategic term, reflects a time of continuous transformation, says the education and training authority’s CEO Gugu Mkhize.  

In pure numbers, the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) has moved from a 72% performance, a decline experienced during the height of the Covid-19 crisis, to the present 97%, which is a testament to the organisational resilience built up post-pandemic.

In human terms, through the delivery of its mandate to provide quality assurance, learning programmes, skills planning, research and administration, INSETA’s work has changed lives and been the catalyst of dreams being realised, Mkhize told INSETA’s AGM.

“Thousands of South Africans now have the skills to participate meaningfully in the economy,” said the CEO, reflecting on the milestones in the 2023-24 INSETA annual report.

Mkhize explained that “each percentage point improvement in our performance, translates to families being supported, communities being uplifted and a stronger insurance sector”.

INSETA has embarked on a journey of excellence, underscored by a collective commitment and effort internally and externally to embed excellence in skills development.

The 97% performance in the 2023-24 reporting period is an outcome of collective dedication to INSETA’s excellence journey at all levels – from the board and SETA staff to stakeholders and the insurance sector.

Mkhize said the 97% attainment of INSETA’s targets reflected the power of collaboration among government, industry, delivery partners and communities – all working together to build a skilled and inclusive economy.

“This is what real transformation looks like,” said Mkhize, adding, “We have built strong partnerships with industry players, who share our vision of a transformed sector that reflects South Africa’s diversity.”

“We have worked closely with other skills delivery providers, some SETAs and educational institutions, as we share the same values when it comes to building a workforce that is ready for tomorrow’s demands,” Mkhize said.

The nod from industry, represented by 12 awards to INSETA, “are validation that our approach to inclusive skills development is making a real difference in addressing South Africa’s challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty”.

Innovation and impact

Adapting to an ever-changing operating environment and a challenging socioeconomic context meant transcending a traditional approach to skills development.

INSETA’s business-unusual thinking and approach are apparent in the Skills for Rural Impact programme, designed to bring skills development opportunities where such opportunities and resources are in limited supply or non-existent.

Mkhize is emphatic that talent should not be restricted by geography because of a scarcity of opportunities.

“Therefore, we have taken our services directly to communities that have historically been excluded from the financial services sector,” she said.

“When we state that we have reached nearly 62,000 beneficiaries, with a target of 80,000 by financial year-end, we are referring to individuals in deep rural KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, who now see the insurance sector as a viable career path,” Mkhize explained.

Supporting small businesses

In line with the National Development Plan 2030, INSETA views small businesses as the backbone of the economy, possessing the potential to make a sizeable dent in South Africa’s high unemployment rate by generating jobs.

By supporting 1911 small businesses through development programmes, INSETA aims to create sustainable economic ecosystems in communities where the need is most pronounced.

For every small business supported by INSETA, five to 10 jobs are created in the insurance sector, which are sustainable and skills-based, Mkhize noted.

Our future vision

“As we march on to 2025-30, we are acutely aware that the insurance sector is undergoing rapid transformation,” Mkhize said.

The proliferation of Insurtech, a term used to describe online-based insurance start-ups and digital platforms whose operations are disruptive in nature, means the workforce in the sector must be adequately prepared for present challenges and future opportunities.

It is for those reasons that INSETA’s new strategic plan emphasises digital skills development while maintaining core insurance competencies.

“Importantly, the new strategic plan 2025-30 recognises that transformation must be inclusive. We are particularly focused on ensuring that historically marginalised groups, such as women, youth, people with disabilities and rural communities are not left behind in this digital revolution,” she said.

INSETA has disbursed substantial resources in digital technology through the establishment of DigiHub, a state-of-the-art facility developed in partnership with the Coastal TVET College.

The collaboration is a milestone that will help bridge the digital skills gap and empower students with the tools necessary to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.

“Every programme we design is aimed at responding to one fundamental question, which is about how to contribute to a more equitable and skilled insurance sector,” Mkhize said.

At present, “we are hard at work making preparations for the Skills Insurance Indaba scheduled to take place in March 2025,” the CEO said, adding that the meeting was part of INSETA’s commitment to serving its stakeholders with excellence. 

INSIDE EDUCATION