By Thapelo Molefe

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has pledged to restore stability at the embattled University of Fort Hare (UFH) and assured students that it will work toward a resolution with university management.

Tebogo Letsie, chairperson of the committee, made the commitment after receiving a memorandum of demands from students, following weeks of unrest and heightened tensions on campus.

Letsie visited UFH’s Dikeni (formerly Alice) and East London campuses on Monday afternoon to meet with student leaders and members of the university’s convocation. He said the committee would formally present the memorandum to university management and seek urgent responses to the issues raised.

The memorandum, submitted by student representatives, calls for the removal of the vice-chancellor, the dissolution of the university council, and the holding of Students’ Representative Council (SRC) elections by the end of October. Students are also demanding improvements in accommodation, campus transport, and safety measures—issues that have fueled unrest in recent months.

“We will write to the vice-chancellor and attach the memorandum as an annexure for them to respond to,” Letsie told students during the meeting.

“We will give them until Thursday to reply, and by Friday we should be able to respond to the students. When you don’t respond to students, it appears as if you are arrogant, so we will respond and show how far we can go on what they have asked.”

Letsie emphasised that many of the demands fall within the responsibilities of the university management and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), rather than Parliament. However, he assured students that the committee would facilitate accountability and engagement among all relevant stakeholders.

“If management fails to respond, we will escalate the matter,” he warned. “We can invoke Section 56 of the Constitution, which empowers Parliament to summon any information or institution in the public interest. We have lost buildings worth between R250 million and R500 million across campuses, and teaching and learning have been disrupted. We cannot allow this situation to continue.”

The visit comes after violent student protests left parts of both the Alice and East London campuses in ruins, prompting Parliament’s oversight committee to intervene. 

Letsie described the situation as “deeply concerning,” saying the university’s challenges reflect broader governance and communication failures within the higher education sector.

During the meeting, UFH Convocation Executive Committee President Ayabulela Pezisa said the convocation was working to mediate between management and students. 

“We are an important stakeholder at this university. Management must not distance itself from us. We want to help fix what affects both students and the institution,” Pezisa said.

Students, however, expressed frustration over what they described as management’s “arrogance” and unwillingness to engage meaningfully. 

“We have been here for days demanding that our issues be addressed. If our demands are not met by next week, we will stand together again,” one student leader said.

When asked whether he believed external parties were involved in the recent destruction of university property, Letsie refrained from speculation but called for a forensic investigation into the incidents.

“It would be reckless for me to have an opinion without evidence,” he said. 

“An investigation must determine who was responsible, whether it was students, management, security companies, or community members. Whoever is found guilty must be arrested because this is criminal behaviour that has cost government millions.”

The committee’s intervention marks a critical moment for the embattled institution, which has faced months of turmoil, including staff suspensions, student protests, and allegations of maladministration.

Letsie urged calm and dialogue, saying Parliament would monitor developments closely. 

“We hope management will respond positively so we don’t have to go the legal route. What’s important is to restore stability and ensure students can learn in a safe environment,” he said.

The committee is expected to brief Parliament later this week on the outcomes of its visit and management’s response to the students’ demands.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

Academic activities at the University of the Free State (UFS) have been brought to a standstill as students continue their protest against the university’s decision to scrap the provisional registration system from next year.

The shutdown, which began at the end of the weekend at the main Bloemfontein campus, has seen hundreds of students mobilising to block entrances and disrupt classes in what they describe as a “peaceful but determined” protest.

“This is not just a protest about registration; it’s a protest about survival. When the university closes doors to poor students, it closes doors to South Africa’s future,” Bloemfontein campus SRC president Ogorogile Moleme said.

Students have vowed to continue demonstrations until management reverses the policy, accusing the institution of abandoning its commitment to access and transformation.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high outside the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court, where six students appeared on charges of malicious damage to property and attempted arson, following a series of arrests over the past week.

The controversy stems from a September 26 council resolution ending the provisional registration system, a long-standing arrangement that allowed students to register and begin their studies while still finalising fee payments or awaiting bursary confirmations.

UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader confirmed the move, saying the council’s decision followed an extensive review.

“Students will need to be fully registered once their fees or funding have been confirmed. The university’s review found that provisional registration was not an effective mechanism to support students with financial challenges, as many failed to meet payment agreements,” she said.

She added that the university plans to roll out a new “student-centred financial support strategy”, including earlier bursary applications and improved financial advising.

“The UFS remains committed to supporting students through building a fair, equitable and sustainable support system that promotes access, success and responsible financial management,” Loader said.

However, student leaders argue that the decision will have devastating consequences for poor and working-class learners who rely on the flexibility of provisional registration to access higher education.

The council also accused management of failing to consult students before implementing such a consequential policy.

For many students, the issue has revived frustrations over unfulfilled promises of transformation nearly a decade after the #FeesMustFall movement.

A memorandum of demands submitted to UFS management on October 8 called for the reinstatement of provisional registration, the retention of the acknowledgment of debt system with a cap of R50,000, and permission for returning students awaiting funding to register without paying upfront.

It also demanded an end to what students describe as the “militarisation” of campuses through police deployment and arrests.

Police confirmed they had been deployed to all three UFS campuses; Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa and South, after memorandums were handed over.

Moleme said 11 students were arrested last Thursday, with nine later released on free bail and two on R500 bail.

Another six were detained early on Saturday morning.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

The Department of Basic Education has officially released the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) October/November examination timetable.

The schedule outlines a six-week examination period, beginning with Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Information Technology (IT) practicals, before progressing to core academic subjects such as languages, mathematics, physical sciences, business studies, and the arts.

The exams are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 21 October, and will run until Thursday, 27 November.

More than 700 000 Grade 12 learners are preparing to sit for the final exams that mark the culmination of twelve years of hard work and perseverance.

The structure has been designed to ensure a balanced and fair national examination process, giving learners enough time between major subjects to revise and recover.

According to the department, preparations for the national exams are well underway, with all provinces having submitted readiness reports confirming the finalisation of invigilation rosters, venue security measures, and logistical arrangements for rural and urban centres alike.

Umalusi, the quality assurance body, has also given the green light for this year’s NSC cycle, describing it as a “well-planned, robust and inclusive assessment season”.

For most matriculants, this period will be consumed by revision sessions, mock exams, and last-minute consultation with teachers before the real test begins.

The first paper, Computer Applications Technology Paper 1, will set the tone for the six-week marathon that follows.

From there, the timetable flows into the major language exams, mathematics, physical sciences, business studies, geography, and life sciences, concluding with practical and technical subjects in the final week.

For the department, the matric exams are not only a measure of academic performance but also a test of the education system’s ability to deliver under pressure.

Each year, the department coordinates the printing, packaging, and secure delivery of millions of examination papers to thousands of centres across the country.

This year’s exam timetable also includes several key milestones outside the main examination window.

Life Orientation’s Common Assessment Task (CAT) took place in early September, followed by rewrites in mid-October.

Visual Arts, Design and Performing Arts practical assessments was conducted in August and October, while schools nationwide are expected to host the annual Pledge Signing Ceremony on 17 October, a symbolic commitment by candidates to uphold honesty and integrity during the exams.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The University of Oxford has extended its record-breaking run at the top of an international league table to a 10th year.

The university, which is the oldest in the English-speaking world, topped the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

It is joined in the top 10 by Cambridge, which has risen to joint third from fifth place in last year’s edition, and Imperial College London, which is in eighth.

Overall, 11 UK universities made it into Times Higher Education’s (THE) top 100 institutions worldwide.

Prof Irene Tracey, Oxford’s vice-chancellor, said the institution was “honoured” to be top-ranked for a 10th year.

“This achievement reflects the dedication of our academics, professional services staff and students, but it comes at a time of real strain for UK higher education,” she said.

“Sustaining a dynamic and globally competitive sector requires renewed investment and support, so that universities can continue to drive discovery, opportunity and economic growth for future generations.”

BBC NEWS

By Johnathan Paoli

Thousands of learners across the Eastern Cape were left stranded on Monday morning as scholar transport operators embarked on a shutdown in protest over months of non-payment by the provincial Department of Transport.

The disruption, which coincides with the start of the new school term, has once again thrown the province’s embattled scholar transport system into disarray, raising fears that access to education for thousands of rural learners is being systematically undermined.

According to Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Education MEC Horatio Hendricks, the protest was a direct result of the department’s chronic mismanagement and repeated failure to honour payment agreements with contracted transport operators.

“Once again our children have been forced to walk long distances to school or turn back home entirely, while the Department once again shifts the blame. For rural families who depend on these services for safe access to education, this failure is not an inconvenience. It is a direct assault on their constitutional right to learn,” Hendricks said.

The shutdown has affected learners in several districts, including OR Tambo, Chris Hani, Alfred Nzo, and Amathole, where school attendance has plummeted since transport services came to a halt.

Many operators, unable to refuel vehicles or pay drivers, have suspended operations indefinitely until the department settles outstanding invoices dating back several months.

This latest crisis underscores what the DA describes as a “complete collapse” of the Eastern Cape’s scholar transport programme, a system meant to ensure that over 120,000 learners from remote communities can safely reach their schools each day.

The Transport department, responsible for the service, has faced long-standing criticism for late payments, poor oversight, and failure to maintain contractual and safety compliance among service providers.

Hendricks noted that the department’s own reports show millions of rands still owed to transport operators, some of whom have been forced to take vehicles off the road due to expired licences or lack of funds for maintenance and fuel.

“The result is that many have been unable to renew vehicle licences, fuel their fleets, or meet basic safety standards. These failures are not isolated. They reflect years of mismanagement, ignored court orders, and a lack of political accountability,” he said.

While discussions between the department and operator associations are reportedly underway, with a possible resumption of services expected on Tuesday, Hendricks warned that the talks would only provide temporary relief unless the underlying governance and financial issues were addressed.

The DA has previously raised the alarm over the sustainability of the scholar transport system.

In July, the party tabled a motion in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature calling for an urgent compliance review of the 2022 Makhanda High Court order compelling the provincial government to expand and properly administer the programme.

The motion sought to force both the Departments of Education and Transport to submit progress reports, financial records, and verification data to the Legislature for oversight, but the debate has yet to be scheduled.

The scholar transport programme has long been a flashpoint in the Eastern Cape’s education crisis.

Many rural schools are situated far from learners’ homes, often requiring children to walk over 10 kilometres daily if transport is unavailable.

In past years, delayed payments and contract irregularities have repeatedly resulted in service suspensions, with devastating effects on attendance and academic performance.

As the province’s school term begins, the DA has called on Premier Oscar Mabuyane and the MECs for Transport and Education to take urgent corrective action and ensure full compliance with court and legislative mandates.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

A University of Fort Hare alumna, Mbali Silimela, has written to National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, making damning allegations of corruption, fraud, and abuse of power against the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, and other senior officials.

In his email, Silimela accuses Buhlungu of being at the centre of what he describes as a criminal syndicate within the university’s management. 

He claims the Vice-Chancellor, together with former senior official Isaac Plaatjies, who is currently in custody for his alleged involvement in the murder of university employee [Mr Vesele], has been involved in the looting of university funds through companies linked to close associates.

“Professor Sakhela Buhlungu is the first criminal syndicate. His involvement in fraud and corruption goes far beyond,” Silimela wrote. 

“Both the Vice-Chancellor and Isaac Plaatjies are involved in stealing University funds using companies of their friends to milk the funds.”

Silimela is an alumni of UFH having graduated from bachelor of education in 2022. 

He is the former chairperson of Cope Student Movement (COPESM) where he led a strike in 2021 and was suspended, however he was brought back by a court order. He was deployed as Students Representative Council’s academic officer where he was booted out by the system

According to Silimela, R1.4 million was unlawfully withdrawn from the university’s account in 2021, while a further R1.9 million was allegedly on the verge of being stolen in 2022 before the transaction was blocked.

He questions how Buhlungu became aware of the alleged attempted theft and how he managed to stop it despite not having access to the university’s accounts.

“It is very shocking how the Vice-Chancellor managed to block this R1.9 million from being stolen since he’s not linked with a university account,” Silimela stated. 

“I suspect he was told by the Chief Financial Office (CFO) or an accountant of the university. Therefore, if he was informed by a CFO or an accountant, we need documentation of their conversation alerting him.”

Silimela’s letter comes shortly after weeks of unrest at the University of Fort Hare’s Alice and East London campuses, where violent student protests led to disruptions in learning, damage to property, and heightened tensions between management and students.

The protests were fuelled by growing dissatisfaction over governance, safety, and alleged corruption within the institution.

Silimela’s letter further accuses the university’s CFO, accounting officials, and First National Bank (FNB) of withholding critical information about the alleged transaction. 

He insists that no documentation has been provided to prove that the attempted transfer was ever detected or stopped.

“If there are no indications from the bank showing that the R1.9 million was on the verge of being taken, it raises grave issues,” he wrote.

He describes the Vice-Chancellor’s anti-corruption stance as “a facade,” alleging that those who present themselves as reformers are, in fact, involved in the same activities they claim to expose.

Silimela’s email, sent directly to Masemola, calls for a full investigation into Fort Hare’s financial management, including access to bank statements, correspondence between the Vice-Chancellor and finance officials, and any internal records related to the alleged transactions.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Students at South African universities have to deal with a disturbing reality. They face the threat of violent crime, in particular gender-based violence. They also battle with substandard infrastructure – some of it life threatening. And institutions aren’t ready to respond.

We are academics in environmental health and public health. Our work examines occupational health and safety in educational environments.

We recently completed a review of health and safety challenges in South African universities. We looked at public records, police reports, campus press statements, and national media coverage of violent incidents. We also noted infrastructure hazards reported at South African universities from 2015 to 2024.

Our study covered 10 of South Africa’s 26 public universities to identify campus safety trends.

Our findings reveal persistently high levels of danger, including murder and bad student housing conditions.

Rather than declining over the 10-year period studied, incidents appear to be occurring with greater frequency and severity. This suggests that interventions have not done enough about systemic safety challenges.

Campus safety crisis and evidence-based solutions

South Africa has some of the world’s highest crime rates. In 2024, the country had a crime index of 75.4, which is to be considered high. Over the observed period, the value fluctuated between 75 and 77. The same index ranks the country as the fifth most dangerous in the world.

Our findings show that this pervasive violence has entered higher education institutions. It has created unsafe learning environments that compromise student welfare and academic achievement.

Violence on campus

Over the 10-year review period, we found repeated and widespread reports of violence involving students and staff.

Fatal violence was concentrated in certain provinces, notably Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Gender-based violence and student murders occurred in both formal university residences and off-campus areas.

Between January 2023 and September 2024, for example, at least 17 students were murdered across South Africa, based on police and media reports.

In 2023, the vice-chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, was the target of an assassination attempt. During the attack, his bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele, was shot and killed while waiting for Buhlungu outside his home.

Women students were subject to rape and other forms of gender based violence. Our review recorded dozens of reported cases of rape and sexual assault in universities. Between 20% and 25% of female university students in South Africa report being sexually victimised during their studies. In 2017, South African university campuses recorded 47 cases of rape and sexual assault. The University of Cape Town had the highest number, nine cases. South Africa has 1.2 million students in its universities in 2025.

Gender-based violence cases are often under reported because of stigma and fear. Some universities lack support systems or clear procedures for handling complaints. Despite national policy pressure, the sector remains far behind in offering consistent protection and care.

Dangerous infrastructure and unsafe residences

Our findings show widespread problems with student housing.

Much of it is overcrowded, under-maintained and structurally unsafe. For instance, the University of Johannesburg’s 2022 occupational health risk assessment identified 11 high-risk sites on campus. These were linked to hazards such as poor ventilation, roof leaks and chemical exposure. An additional 33 areas were classified as moderate risk due to biological hazards, poor sanitation and inadequate waste management systems.

We also found that security in student accommodation was a concern. At some institutions, residences have unsecured entry points, making them easily accessible to intruders. Our research shows that lack of control has contributed to serious incidents, including killings and assaults inside residence rooms.

Substandard living conditions directly affect academic performance. Research shows that poor housing environments increase anxiety, illness and dropout rates.

Many universities rely on third-party providers to supplement campus housing. Oversight and safety standards in these accredited residences vary.

Poor response rates

Most universities lack clear protocols to respond to safety incidents.

In several high-profile incidents, including fatal attacks, university leadership delayed communication with students or failed to implement follow-up safety measures.

A few institutions have introduced safety initiatives like SMS alert systems, gender-based violence offices, and campus safety audits. These appear insufficient to address the systemic nature of campus safety challenges.

Violent incidents continue to rise. This suggests that the sector needs coordinated measures.

But there is no universal safety standard or consistent oversight to enforce safety requirements across institutions.

Safety and student success

This is more than a security problem.

Our research demonstrates that campus violence directly undermines academic achievement. Others show that unsafe student housing conditions have a negative impact on academic success. Students living in unsafe environments can’t focus on their studies.

Our analysis points to five critical intervention areas:

annual safety audits with external verification and public reporting

real-time campus alert systems integrated with security and law enforcement

survivor support units staffed by professionals offering psycho-social care and legal advice

safety-linked funding mechanisms

interdisciplinary safety committees.

Universities must be legally required to conduct comprehensive annual safety audits through independent, accredited assessment bodies. They should evaluate physical infrastructure integrity and student housing conditions. Similarly, campus crime patterns, emergency response capabilities, and compliance with occupational health and safety standards. Audit reports must be publicly accessible within 30 days of completion.

The Department of Higher Education and Training should tie funding to campus safety performance.

Expertise in criminology and victimology should be part of safety planning processes at universities. They would bring evidence to the design of safety measures.

Students must also be involved in designing and overseeing safety strategies. Student committees, peer-led awareness campaigns, and direct input into campus policy are essential for building trust and driving action.

Written by Maasago M. Sepadi, PhD in public health, Tshwane University of Technology and Martha Chadyiwa, Associate Professor of Public Health , Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

THE CONVERSATION

By Levy Masiteng 

The Kay Motsepe Schools Championship concluded its 2025 football tournament at the Giant Stadium in Soshanguve over the weekend, with three teams walking away with R5 million that included cash and infrastructure upgrades.  

The tournament is a premier annual event that brings together over 13,000 school teams from across South Africa to compete in various sports, and is sponsored by Sanlam in partnership with the Motsepe Foundation.

“This initiative aims to empower young athletes by providing a platform to showcase their talents and develop essential life skills,” the Sanlam Group said in a post. 

The St. Marks Academy from Mpumalanga in the Under-19 Boys category defeated Fumana Under-19 Boys from Gauteng 1-0. 

The Academy took home a trophy and R3 million in prizes and infrastructure upgrades.  

Lungile Mokone, the coach of St. Marks Academy, told the media that the win was for Mpumalanga.

“It was a hard-fought final. Thanks to the boys for their efforts. I’m happy and proud of my players. This is for you, Mpumalanga.” 

In the Under-13 Boys category, Queenswood Laerskool from Gauteng crushed Madika Under-13 Boys from Limpopo 5-0, winning R1 million worth of prizes and upgrades in the process. 

In the Under-13 Girls category St. Anne Primary School from Free State won 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at full-time, and took home R1 million in prizes and upgrades for their efforts. 

“This is a great day for me, the players, and the people of Free State. I have been coaching the team for the past four months, and I’m still learning about them,” said Kadi Monyane, coach of St. Anne Primary School.

The Kay Motsepe Schools Championship said they have consistently produced top football talent, and this year’s event was no exception. 

The head of Sanlam, Nkazimulo Sokhulu, said:  “We continue to invest in young people. We believe sports open up a number of avenues and opportunities for young people.”

Bongani Zondi, Deputy Director of Sports and Enrichment at the Department of Basic Education, emphasised the importance of sports in academic success.

“Sports instils values such as discipline, teamwork, social cohesion, and timekeeping, which contribute to academic success,” he stated. 

The Motsepe foundation said that the prize money won by the schools will be used to improve their football facilities and benefit their communities. 

INSIDE EDUCATION