By Alicia Mmashakana

Over 93% of pit toilets have been eradicated through the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative, according to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.

She told the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday that this significant milestone marked a step towards ensuring that all learners have access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.

While substantial strides have been made, the minister said that the department would intensify efforts to ensure full compliance. She would conduct site visits to the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, the two provinces that are mostly affected by the legacy of unsafe sanitation infrastructure.

Gwarube’s visits will allow for firsthand monitoring of the final phase of implementation, as well as direct engagement with communities, school leaders and implementing agents, to ensure that all remaining projects were completed as planned.

The department acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by budget constraints, infrastructure backlogs and rising construction costs.

Despite this, it remained steadfast in its commitment to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa’s deadline of eliminating unsafe sanitation in schools by the end of the month.

It said that the progress was the result of collaboration between national and provincial education departments, the private sector and development partners, all of whom have played critical roles in accelerating the delivery of safer toilets.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Edwin Naidu

The outgoing National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, deserves much praise for restoring stability and doing a relatively good job in his short stint. 

Considering the mess he took over at NSFAS, one would have preferred that Nomvalo remained in the role to ensure continuity and stability at this crucial juncture. He was appointed in April 2024 because the board failed to perform its duties. 

Legacy problems persist, as seen by the challenges faced by students at institutions throughout the country. Addressing the corruption chaos Nomvalo inherited, meant that he could not realistically have addressed all the issues confronting NSFAS. 

Of course, it was not all plain sailing, but his job was premised on his rock-solid credentials. The sad accounts of students during the Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane’s nationwide visits to universities highlight the vast challenges that remain. 

As the first African and longest-serving accountant-general in democratic South Africa, Nomvalo has extensive knowledge and a track record in public finance and government processes. 

He served a five-year term as CEO of SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) until December 2023. He was appointed in 2019 after the accounting profession suffered a series of scandals, including the collapse of VBS Bank and Steinhoff and an audit of the infamous Gupta family companies. His reputation for good governance is impeachable. 

That is why one hoped the minister would have done all in her power and in the national interest to retain Nomvalo.

Instead, the NSFAS now has a new board, which has appointed Waseem Carrim as the acting CEO, effective immediately following the end of the administrator’s term.

Carrim is currently the CFO of NSFAS and, until recently, the former CFO and CEO of the National Youth Development Agency, where he led the NYDA to nine consecutive clean audit outcomes. 

They credit him with growing the youth agency from a R400 million to R1.5 billion budget.

NSFAS’s annual budget is more than R50 billion.

He is a former category winner of the SAICA 35-under-35 programme in 2016 and has been recognised as one of the 2018 Mail and Guardian 200 Young South Africans and as one of SADC’s Most Influential Young Leaders in 2019.

However, he shows no experience or understanding of the higher education sector, which is why his appointment is surprising. NSFAS is not a kindergarten. 

Undoubtedly, the board has taken a chance on him because of his proven track record at the NYDA, which board chairperson Dr Karen Stander says enables him to lead NSFAS during this transition period. 

“The board is confident that Mr Carrim will provide the stability and leadership needed to initiate the transition of NSFAS towards becoming the best international practice benchmark in student funding,” she said.

She said Carrim’s deep understanding for SEOs and his passion for youth development, which was evident in everything he did, also made him the appropriate choice for the role. 

Stander and her team need time as a new board, as does Carrim, to prove himself. Considering the previous board failed to carry out its essential duties, one hopes that the latest team is equal, if not stronger, to the task of ensuring that there is no repetition.

NSFAS’s citing Carrim’s youth agency credentials as a reason for his appointment does not hold water, especially given the tough start to the 2025 academic year faced by hundreds of students, as expressed to the minister. He was already in the organisation and failed to oversee a trouble-free start. 

In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, NSFAS said that Carrim would work with the board to develop a strategic vision for the scheme’s future and ensure that it continued to deliver exceptional value to all students and stakeholders. 

Fingers crossed the board and Carrim are mindful of the challenges ahead and that they’re in their roles because of their predecessors’ shenanigans and failure to “deliver exceptional value to all students and stakeholders”. 

Denial of the challenges, especially past failures, and the enormous task ahead, should not mask their very existence. 

One wishes Carrim the best in his role. However, despite Stander and NSFAS’s efforts to promote him as a weighty candidate, his credentials do not inspire confidence.

NSFAS is a R50 billion organisation – not a Mickey Mouse youth league. 

Edwin Naidu is the Editor of Inside Education. 

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

Authorities have launched an investigation into a devastating accident on the N12 in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, which claimed the lives of four young learners and left four others injured on Monday morning. 

The collision, which involved multiple vehicles near the Putfontein Road off-ramp, included a private scholar transport vehicle ferrying children to school.

The Gauteng education department confirmed that the victims were from Tom Newby Primary School, Rynfield Primary School, and an unidentified Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre. 

Among the deceased are two siblings in Grade 1 and Grade 3 from Tom Newby Primary, a Grade 1 learner from Rynfield Primary, and a Grade R learner from the ECD centre. 

A Grade 3 girl from Rynfield is in a critical condition in hospital.

Law enforcement agencies are working to determine the cause of the crash.

In response to the tragedy, the department has dispatched its Psycho-Social Support Unit to provide counselling to affected learners and teachers.

Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane expressed his sorrow over the fatal accident.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these young learners whose lives were tragically cut short by this unfortunate incident. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, friends and the school communities during this painful period. The department stands ready to provide the necessary support to all affected,” he said in a statement.

Gauteng roads and transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela also extended her condolences, urging road users to prioritise safety to prevent such tragedies. 

“As a department, we continue to plead with drivers to be alert at all times, adhere to speed limits, exercise patience ensure vehicles are roadworthy, and, most importantly, make informed decisions that will save lives on our roads,” she said.

Diale-Tlabela further emphasised the importance of passenger awareness, stating that while drivers bore the primary responsibility, passengers must also remain vigilant about road safety.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Amy Musgrave and Johnathan Paoli

South Africa is grappling with the fact that the education system is failing too many of the country’s learners at the foundational stage, according to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.

The situation was aggravated by the reality that access to quality early childhood development (ECD) remained deeply unequal, said Gwarube, who participated in a panel discussion at Unicef’s Global High-Level Roundtable on ECD on Monday.

“Children from the wealthiest quintile are 20 percentage points more likely to be developmentally on track by age five compared to those from the poorest quintile.

“This disparity, if left unaddressed, will continue to entrench inequality that has made South Africa the most unequal society on the face of this planet. We cannot continue with such levels of inequality; they are simply unsustainable,” the minister said.

The discussions follow two papers that were published by The Lancet last year.  Following the first 1000 days of life that span from conception to two years of age, the next 1000 days of a child’s life from 2–5 years offer a window of opportunity to promote nurturing and caring environments, establish healthy behaviours, and build on early gains to sustain or improve trajectories of healthy development. 

Gwarube said that for a long time, the global focus has been on the first 1000 days of a child’s life, which was no doubt a crucial period. But what was clear from the study was that the next 1000 days were just as decisive in determining a child’s cognitive, emotional and physical development.

Recognising the importance of foundational education, Gwarube said South Africa had made ECD reform a national priority.

She said the 2022 transfer of ECD oversight to the Basic Education Department marked a pivotal shift in the country’s approach to early learning.

Gwarube outlined South Africa’s 2030 Strategy for ECD, structured around three key principles – universal access, quality improvement and a “whole-of-society” approach.

Universal access was aimed at ensuring that every child could attend a registered, regulated and government-supported ECD programme, while improving quality would be attained by enhancing training and professional development for ECD practitioners.

Just as important was strengthening partnerships between government, NGOs, businesses and communities to support early learning.

To support these goals, the minister said the government has launched several major initiatives, including a national ECD registration drive, increased public investment, private sector mobilisation and professionalising ECD practitioners.

An additional R539 million has been allocated to the ECD subsidy in the next financial year to expand access, while the department continues to engage the National Treasury on securing long-term, sustainable funding for the sector.

South Africa has launched an ECD Outcomes Fund, which is a R600 million investment over three years that is designed to drive quality improvements and increase access to early learning programmes.

The government has also established an Inter-Ministerial Committee for ECD, bringing together key departments—including Health, Social Development and Treasury—to align efforts and ensure a holistic approach to support young children.

“These interventions are not just about compliance—they are about delivering meaningful change in how we prepare our youngest children for a lifetime of learning and opportunity.”

Gwarube stressed the need for international cooperation, calling on global leaders to prioritise investment in ECD as a key driver of social and economic development.

“The question is not whether we should invest in early childhood development, but how urgently we can scale up our efforts,” the minister said.

As part of this commitment, the minister announced that that she would co-convene the Bana Pele ECD Leadership Summit with Business Leadership South Africa in Johannesburg next week Monday.

The meeting would serve as a platform for stakeholders to outline concrete steps towards achieving universal access to quality ECD programmes by 2030 and get buy-in from partners.

Gwarube told the Unicef roundtable that discussions on ECD were not just about policy. They were about the future of millions of children who deserved the best possible start in life.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lungile Ntimba

The Sarah Baartman district has stood out with the most exceptional athletes and gold medals in the Eastern Cape Primary Schools Athletics Championships.

About 800 young athletes from the 12 districts showcased their skills and talents at the sports event hosted at Queen’s College Boys’ High School’s recreational grounds in Komani over the weekend.

Events highlighted various sports disciplines, including long jump, high jump, shot put, discus, javelin and running events.

The provincial education department said that all the districts delivered impressive performances, with several records broken. 

“The competition wrapped up with outstanding performances from all districts. However, the Sarah Baartman district stood out with the most exceptional athletes and gold medals,” it said.

The department said 75 gold medallists have earned the right to represent the province at the national championships later in March.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Staff Reporter

The University of Pretoria (UP) has appointed former minister and educator Naledi Pandor as honorary professor in education.

UP has described the appointment as “strategic and important”. Pandor, who is a PhD graduate of the faculty, joins UP’s Centre for the Advancement of Sustainable Higher Education Futures, where she will contribute – without remuneration – to research, and student and staff development.

“Professor Pandor is a leader whose impact on education, policy and innovation, and whose unwavering commitment to advancing higher education and sustainable development, aligns perfectly with the mission of the centre,” said UP Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis Petersen.

“It is truly a privilege to have someone of her calibre joining our academic network in this esteemed role.”

The university’s Registrar has issued a formal note confirming that Pandor is permitted to use the title of “Professor”.

She received a PhD in Education from UP in 2019 after completing her doctoral thesis, titled ‘The contested meaning of transformation in higher education in post-apartheid South Africa’.

“Her passion for education stems from her background as a teacher and a lifelong curiosity about the field,” Petersen said. “Through her research, Prof. Pandor explored the vast and rewarding landscape in education, while acquiring academic and research skills.”

He added that the honorary professorship was not only a testament to Pandor’s academic abilities and remarkable contributions to transformation, but also to her excellence as a leader with strong ethical values.

“Balancing the responsibilities of a Cabinet minister and PhD student was no easy task,” Petersen said.

“She meticulously planned her schedule and dedicated every available moment outside work and politics to her studies, even reducing her public engagements. Despite the challenges, she remained committed to her academic goals.

Petersen said UP looked forward to learning from Pandor’s vast experience and engaging in meaningful collaborations that would shape the future of higher education.

The former minister has described her “an incredible honour”.

“My experience as a student for four years matured me in significant ways and prepared me for international relations,” she said, recalling how defending her PhD thesis, for example, was part of a learning experience in standing her ground.

Pandor said she had received several offers since retiring but did not take any of them seriously until her former PhD supervisor, Prof. Chika Sehoole, then Dean of the Faculty of Education at UP, expressed interest in nominating her as a professor with the faculty.

The new Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Lindelani Mnguni, has welcomed Pandor, agreeing that the faculty and the entire university would benefit from the strategic and important decision to recruit a leader of her stature.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

South Africa and Iran are set to enhance their longstanding collaboration in science, technology, and innovation (STI) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on innovation.

This follows a courtesy visit by the Iranian ambassador Mansour Shakib Mehr to South Africa, to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in research, space science, biotechnology and other technological fields.

South Africa and Iran have enjoyed close STI relations since May 2000 when they signed their first formal cooperation agreement. 

Over the years, this partnership has evolved, involving key South African institutions such as the National Research Foundation, the Technology Innovation Agency, and the South African National Space Agency.

The new MoU aims to expand this relationship by fostering innovation and supporting the growth of startups in both countries. 

Nzimande emphasised that the agreement would “assist in providing support and development for the South African startup ecosystem”, particularly through partnerships with Iranian institutions like Pardis Technology Park.

The upcoming agreement follows a series of engagements between the two nations, including high-level visits, joint research initiatives, and participation in innovation events such as Iran’s 2024 INOTEX Exhibition. 

The growing collaboration has also seen webinars on emerging fields like stem cell research and technology exchanges between South African and Iranian innovators.

Both Nzimande and Mehr expressed their determination to finalise the MoU, marking another milestone in South Africa-Iran STI relations. 

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Akani Nkuna

Gauteng has expressed strong support for Microsoft’s R5.4 billion investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure in South Africa.

The province on Sunday praised the initiative as a significant step forward advancing digital innovation, boosting economic growth and equipping the workforce with skills for the evolving job market.

The investment builds on the R20.4 billion Microsoft committed in 2023 to establish South Africa’s first enterprise-grade data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

During the investment announcement, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi highlighted the need for skills development to future-proof the workforce, focusing on aligning education with economic goals and addressing skills gaps in sectors such as construction, engineering and entrepreneurship.

“This investment will help us foster a skilled workforce, it will also help unlock new opportunities for innovation, and economic growth, which will give us a competitive advantage on the global stage”, he said.

The newly launched programme will build on Microsoft’s AI skilling initiative in South Africa by funding certification exams for 50,000 young individuals in high-demand digital skills over the course of the next year.

The programme is designed to enhance their career prospects and address the growing need for skilled workers in fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analysis and other emerging digital sectors.

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the investment as a strong endorsement of South Africa’s economy and its potential for growth. He emphasized that Microsoft commitment reflects the global business community’s confidence in the country’s economic stability, investment environment and future prospects.

“The strategic investment announcements made by Microsoft today as further testimony to this enduring confidence.

“They signal to the business and investor community that South Africa’s economy continues to hold immense potential and that it is a favourable place to do business where their investments are secure,” said Ramaphosa.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Gabrielle Wills

At the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa faced a sobering reality. Fewer than a third of 25- to 34-year-olds had achieved at least a matric (12 years of schooling completed) or equivalent qualification.

Thirty years on, the proportion of individuals in this age group that had completed their schooling had almost doubled to 57%. This figure will be further bolstered by the record-breaking results in the National Senior Certificate (matric) examinations in recent years. South Africa’s school completion rates are now high and comparable to other middle-income countries.

But this good news is tempered by very high youth unemployment and a faltering economy. What are the prospects for young South Africans once they’ve matriculated?

I have aimed to answer this question in my new study. By using the Quarterly Labour Force Survey – a nationally representative, household-based sample survey – and other data sources, I have developed six insights that tell us what the post-matric landscape is like today. For the purposes of the study, I defined recent matriculants as 15-24-year-olds with 12 years of completed schooling.

This study highlights how increasingly larger proportions of recent matriculants find they have limited opportunities. The rising number of youth leaving school with a matric, especially in recent years, is not being met with enough opportunities beyond school, whether in work or in post-school education and training.

Conditions in South Africa’s labour market must improve and further expansion in quality post-school education and training is required for the country to realise the benefits of rising educational attainment and progress for national development.

1. Less chance of employment

Ten years ago, finding a job was easier for matriculants than it will be for the matric class who finished school in 2024. Between 2014 and 2018 about 4 of every 10 recent matriculants who were economically active (including discouraged work seekers) were employed. By the start of 2024 this figure was closer to 3 of every 10.

The likelihood of youth with a matric having a job at the start of 2024 roughly resembled the chances of youth without a matric having a job eight to ten years ago.

With more learners progressing to matric, especially due to more lenient progression policy during and just after the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in the composition of the matric group could be driving some of the declines in this group’s employment prospects. But there has been a deterioration in the labour market for all youth over the past decade. Employment prospects have even declined for youth with a post-school qualification.

2. Not in employment, education or training

Proportionally fewer recent matriculants are going on to work or further study.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic (2014-2019), around 44%-45% of recent matriculants were classified as “not in employment, education or training” (NEET). The NEET rate among recent matriculants peaked at 55% in early 2022 and remained high at 49.8% at the start of 2024.

Stated differently, one of every two recent matriculants was not engaged in work or studies in the first quarter of last year. That’s 1.78 million individuals. Coupled with the rising numbers of youth getting a matric, this implies that the number of recent matriculants who were not working or studying rose by half a million from the start of 2015 to the start of 2024.

Among all 15-24-year-olds, the NEET rate rose from 32% in the first quarter of 2014 to 35% in the first quarter of 2024. Even larger increases in the NEET rate occurred among 25-34-year-olds, rising from 45% to 52% over the same period.

This is a worry. But it doesn’t mean the matric qualification has no value.

3. A matric still provides an advantage

In early 2024, nearly half of matriculants aged 15-24 were classified as not in employment, education or training. Almost 8 out of 10 of their peers who had dropped out of school were NEET. In short, you’re still more likely to get a job or further your studies with a matric certificate than without one.

4. A hard road

The road to opportunity beyond school is harder than it was a decade ago.

Among NEET matriculants aged 15-24 at the start of 2014, 27% searched for work for more than a year. By early 2024, this figure had risen to 32%.

It’s even worse for 25-34-year-old NEETs who hold a matric qualification. The percentage searching for work for over a year rose from 37% at the start of 2014 to 50% in early 2024.

The longer young people remain disconnected from employment, education or training, the greater the toll on their mental health. NEET status is associated with worse mental health, particularly among young men.

5. Post-school education and training

The government has made ambitious plans to expand opportunities for young people to study further. But enrolments in post-school education and training are not growing sufficiently to match the rising tide in school completion or to absorb youth who cannot find jobs. And, with projected declines in real per student spending on post-school education as South Africa tries to address escalating national debt servicing costs, this situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon.

The country is not keeping pace with tertiary enrolment rates in other developing nations like Brazil, Indonesia or China. For instance, 2021 estimates from the World Bank identify South Africa’s tertiary enrolment rate at 25%, compared to 41% in Indonesia, 57% in Brazil and 67% in China.

6. Location matters

Where someone lives in South Africa influences their chances for upward mobility. These inequalities are reflected in varying youth NEET rates across provinces. For instance, a third of recent matriculants in the Western Cape were not in employment, education or training in 2023/2024. That figure more than doubles in the North West province to 67%.

How to help

Two things are needed: improving labour market conditions and expanding post-school education and training opportunities.

This is unlikely without improved economic growth.

All of this may sound hopeless. But there are things that ordinary South Africans can do, too:

Keep encouraging young people in your orbit to complete their schooling

Where possible, spur them on to obtain a post-school qualification

Use your social networks to connect youth to work experience opportunities, and help with CVs, referral letters and references.

Young people must also adopt a practical, pragmatic and entrepreneurial mindset. They need to seize every opportunity available to them, whether in the labour market or post-school education.

Gabrielle Wills is a senior researcher at Research on Socio-Economic Policy at Stellenbosch University.

The Conversation

By Johnathan Paoli

As registration for the new academic year comes to an end, the Higher Education and Training Department has intensified its oversight to ensure universities are prepared to meet evolving education demands.

Minister Nobuhle Nkabane and Deputy Minister Mimmy Gondwe have been at the forefront, conducting visits to various institutions to assess readiness and address pressing challenges.

Nkabane has visited the University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) Alice campus, accompanied by Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi, Acting National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) CEO Wassem Carrim and Vice-Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu to evaluate the institution’s preparedness for the upcoming academic year.

During her visit, Nkabane toured the financial aid offices, engaging directly with students facing funding issues.

She stressed the need for a hands-on approach to facilitate immediate problem-solving, reflecting the department’s commitment to addressing student concerns promptly.

“As the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system, we have a responsibility to change the size and shape of our post-school education and training in the country,” Nkabane said.

Among the minister’s main concerns were the challenges faced by students in applications and navigating administration, as well as the need to facilitate and assist the registration of masters and PhD students to complete their studies and contribute to the economy.

Nkabane inspected the agricultural and smart laboratories, underscoring the importance of modern facilities in enhancing educational outcomes.

Notably, she interacted with Luthando Jonas, an education bachelor student specialising in Mathematics and Science, highlighting the significance of STEM education in South Africa’s development.

In a move to promote inclusivity, Nkabane participated in the launch of two customised, wheelchair-accessible buses valued at R8.9 million.

This initiative aligns with the broader goal of making higher education accessible to all segments of society. Addressing administrative challenges, the minister has given the university’s management five days to devise a plan to resolve issues affecting hundreds of students.

Parallel to the minister’s efforts, Gondwe conducted an oversight visit to Stellenbosch University to assess its readiness for the 2025 academic year.

She engaged with the Student Representative Council (SRC), encouraging collaboration between student leaders and university management to effectively tackle challenges.

SRC President Roceshia Februarie expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage meaningfully with senior officials from NSFAS and the department.

“It is important for government powers to see the everyday impact of policies and decisions that they make in parliament,” Februarie said.

This comes on the heels of a two-day stakeholder engagement last month, which focused on the readiness of the PSET sector.

Nkabane emphasised the need for students to align their studies with the country’s economic and skills demands to enhance employability and foster entrepreneurship.

INSIDE EDUCATION