By Thapelo Molefe

Wits postgraduate students are protesting against a compulsory data analysis course they say was introduced after enrolment, adding that the change was imposed without proper consultation and is causing serious academic and psychological pressure.

At the centre of the dispute is a Data Analysis (R/Python) course introduced this year for Master of Commerce students in Inequality Studies under the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS).

Students say the course was not part of the programme curriculum when they applied, were accepted, and enrolled, but that it is now being enforced as a requirement for graduation.

The fallout has already seen at least one student leave the programme. Class representative Ziyaad Dockrat has since deregistered, saying the pressure surrounding the course forced him to leave the programme.

Dockrat had initially raised concerns with the university, stating that the course had not been communicated as part of the programme, and questioned its compulsory status. At the time, he and other students understood the course to be for non-degree purposes.

However, students were later told that they would be required not only to enrol but to pass the course in order to graduate.

“I deregistered because of the pressure,” Dockrat said, adding that the sudden shift in requirements created uncertainty and fundamentally changed the conditions under which he had enrolled.

He has since enrolled in another programme at the university.

In an email to the School of Economics and Finance, Dockrat wrote that “there was no indication that a Data Analysis course would also be introduced as a requirement,” adding that student contracts “do not state that new compulsory courses may be added during the course of the programme”.

He described the decision to introduce the course “a week after enrolment” and automatically add students to it as raising “questions about fairness and transparency in programme requirements”.

Dockrat further said that the compulsory nature of the course was difficult to justify given that it is offered for non-degree purposes.

“Introducing a new requirement after students have already enrolled places them in a position where they must comply with conditions that were not part of the initial agreement,” he wrote.

Several students who spoke on condition of anonymity echoed these concerns, describing confusion around the course requirements and the strain of being forced to take on a technically demanding subject mid-semester.

One student said they were initially exempt from the course, only to be forced to enrol later.

“I was explicitly exempted from taking it… now, mid-semester, I’m suddenly being forced to enroll,” the student said. “I’ve already missed tests… and I’m trying to catch up on content I’ve never been exposed to before.”

According to multiple accounts, students were informed during orientation in February that failure to complete the course would prevent them from graduating.

Student Mantoa Selepe said the course was introduced after enrolment and enforced despite being classified as non-degree, raising academic, financial, and performance concerns.

“The main issue is that it was not part of our curriculum, and now it is being forced on us,” she said.

“Most of our research is qualitative, so we don’t need coding, and it does not align with inequality studies.”

Selepe said the course also placed an unexpected financial burden on students.

“Many of us did not budget for this course because it was never included in the programme,” she said.

“Now we are expected to take it on without any preparation, both academically and financially.”

“It is like coercion because they’re telling you that you’re not going to graduate,” she said.

Selepe also raised concerns about high failure rates, saying that the course could push students out of the programme.

“All the students who wrote the test failed,” she said. “In this programme, if you fail one course, you are out, so this could mean many students will be forced to leave.”

She questioned why a non-degree course is being enforced as compulsory.

“If something is non-degree purpose, why should this course be compulsory now?” she asked.

Students say that the course is not aligned with the programme’s focus on political economy and qualitative research.

“Our research is qualitative… and then they bring Python. What are we doing with coding?” Selepe said.

Others raised concerns about workload and duplication, noting that they are already undertaking research methodology training.

“There is also uncertainty regarding overlap with existing research training,” Dockrat wrote, adding that the additional course reduces time available for core academic work.

The pressure appears to be taking a toll beyond academics.

Selepe said Dockrat’s departure showed the impact on students, adding that several others were struggling and seeking support.

Another student said the course was “affecting my academic work and well-being very negatively.”

In response to student concerns, Head of Department Adeola Oyenubi defended the inclusion of the course, saying that data analysis skills are essential in a modern, data-driven economy.

“It turns out that this is an important skill in today’s labour market,” Oyenubi said in correspondence to students.

“We had to update our programme to fit the market.”

He acknowledged that learning programming is “hard and time consuming” but said that maintaining academic standards was necessary.

“We will rather be ‘harsh’ and turn out market ready students than do otherwise,” he said.

Oyenubi also rejected criticism of assessment methods, telling students: “You don’t get to decide how you are tested, you are not the expert on that.”

On concerns about fairness, he suggested that the requirement had been communicated during orientation and that students should have sought clarity at that stage.

Responding to media enquiries, Oyenubi said the university would provide a detailed response after internal consultation.

Students have escalated the matter to the Department of Higher Education and Training but say they have received no response.

They are now calling for urgent intervention and a review of the requirement, saying that the retrospective imposition of coursework undermines trust in academic processes.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johnathan Paoli

Rwanda beat South Africa Under-19 Women by four runs on the DLS method in a rain-affected Nigeria Cricket Federation Women’s T20 International Invitational match in Lagos on Sunday, handing the visitors their first defeat of the tournament.

Rwanda made 101/7 in a reduced 14-over contest at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval before restricting South Africa to 100/4, despite a late push from captain Mieke van Voorst.

The result was a setback for the South Africans after their dominant opening win over Ghana on Saturday, when Van Voorst starred in a 99-run victory.

Cricket South Africa marketed the Nigeria tour as an important part of the side’s build-up to next year’s Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, with head coach Dinesha Devnarain saying before the tournament that “With 11 months to go before the World Cup, game time is crucial, and the T20 Invitational in Nigeria will provide that in abundance, with intense competition expected against experienced teams.”

Asked to bat first, Rwanda recovered from early pressure to post a competitive total. C. Uwase top-scored with 26 off 21 balls, while Fanny Utagushimaninde added 24. South Africa struck early through Ashleigh van Wyk and Miya Lalor, who took two wickets each, but Rwanda found enough late runs to push beyond the 100 mark.

South Africa’s reply began steadily, with Ashley Barnard making 21 and Danelie Boshoff helping guide the side to 29 without loss after four overs. Van Voorst then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 34 off 27 balls, sharing a key stand with Van Wyk, who made 10.

But Rwanda held their nerve in the closing stages. Rosine Irera and Diane Bimenyimana struck at crucial moments, and South Africa fell just short of the revised target of 105, finishing on 100/4 as Rwanda secured victory by four runs on the DLS method.

The win sent Rwanda to the top of the standings, while South Africa were left to regroup ahead of their next fixtures in Lagos.

South Africa are scheduled to face Zimbabwe Under-19 Women on Tuesday, followed by Nigeria on Wednesday.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Staff Reporter

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s head of dermatology, Professor Ncoza Dlova, has been named one of the inaugural recipients of the Beiersdorf Icons of Care Award.

The prize recognising leaders in dermatology for achievements, innovation and dedication that have advanced skincare.

UKZN said on Monday that Dlova was selected after a review of more than 100 dermatologists from around the world and was recognised for her sustained contribution to dermatology across scientific research, mentoring and patient care.

ALSO READ: DA wants ETDP SETA hearing over R637.6m audit findings

She will be formally honoured at the Beiersdorf Icon Exchange event at the Denver Art Museum on Thursday, 26 March.

A full professor and the immediate past dean of UKZN’s School of Clinical Medicine, Dlova was the first African dean in the school’s 73 year history. Her academic and research interests include ethnic skin and hair, global health and medical education.

Dlova has authored more than 135 scientific publications and holds a B rating from South Africa’s National Research Foundation. She serves on several international dermatology boards and societies.

Her honours include membership of the American Dermatology Association, the Maria Duran Award from the International Society of Dermatology, and a board position at the International League of Dermatology Societies, where she represents Africa as the first fully elected African representative in the organisation’s 89 year history.

More recently, she has received the Gold Award from the South African Medical Research Council in 2024, the Fellowship in Arts and Sciences Award from the South African Medical Association in 2024, and the UKZN Living Legends Award in 2023, among other honours.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa: Mankweng operation shows what SA’s health system can achieve

“I’m truly grateful and humbled by this recognition. I hope that through this accolade, I can inspire and encourage the next generation to dream bigger, work harder, and believe in the impact they can make,” said Dlova.

UKZN Deputy Vice Chancellor and head of the College of Health Sciences Professor Busisiwe Ncama said, “Congratulations on this wonderful recognition. Looking at the criteria, you truly deserve it. Advancing scientific knowledge and building the next generation of dermatologists has been your signature. May you keep growing from strength to strength.”

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Cyril Ramaphosa

Last week, surgeons at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo completed a remarkable operation.

A team of doctors, nurses and other health workers successfully separated conjoined twins in a complex operation that demanded extraordinary skill and precision.

We owe the medical teams that performed the operation, that helped deliver the twins and that are now caring for them our deepest admiration and gratitude.
 
This achievement is more than a medical milestone. It is proof of what our public health system is capable of. It is a reminder that South Africa possesses world-class medical expertise, not only in the private hospitals in our cities, but also in public facilities serving communities that have historically been neglected and underserved.
 
It is also the visible outcome of sustained national investment in cultivating medical excellence. This includes heavily subsidising the country’s medical schools, providing study bursaries for needy medical students, and providing on-the-job training through the Internship and Community Services Programme.
 
And yet, for every story of excellence like Mankweng, we know there are too many South Africans who cannot access the quality healthcare they need and deserve.
 
Our Constitution guarantees every person the right of access to healthcare services. That right cannot depend on where you were born, how much you earn or where you live. A child in rural Limpopo has the same right to quality healthcare as a child in the suburbs of Johannesburg or Cape Town. 
 
Closing the gap between the constitutional promise of healthcare and the daily lived reality is precisely what motivates the National Health Insurance (NHI).

The NHI is more than a funding mechanism. It is a commitment, grounded in our constitutional values, that every South African will have access to quality health services without suffering financial hardship. It is the instrument through which we will ensure that the skills and dedication on display at Mankweng are available to all our people, regardless of their ability to pay.
 
To realise this vision, we need genuine and sustained partnerships between the public and private health sectors, as well as academic institutions, medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organisations and communities. 
 
South Africa has a well-equipped and well-funded private healthcare sector, with some of the finest hospitals, specialists and medical technology on the continent.

Yet only around 16% of South Africans have access to these facilities.

By contrast, the majority of the population, some 84%, uses public health facilities. On average, the amount of money spent each year on a person who uses private health care is around five times what is spent on someone in the public sector.
 
These two parts of our healthcare system cannot continue to operate in parallel, as if serving two separate nations. They must work together in service of one nation.
 
There are few people in South Africa who can disagree with this view, and there are a great many role-players who are eager for collaboration.

They recognise that there is both a great need and much opportunity to build stronger partnerships in health care. 
 
We should be doing more to share skills and knowledge across the public-private divide, as happens when private specialists contribute time to public hospitals.

It means investing in the training and retention of healthcare workers so that public facilities do not continue to lose their best people to private employers or to opportunities abroad. 
 
As we prepare to implement the NHI, we are already making significant investments to strengthen our public health infrastructure.

We are building and refurbishing clinics and hospitals, expanding our community health worker programme, working to ensure the availability of essential medicines, introducing digital systems and improving the management of facilities.
 
At the heart of all of this are the women and men who dedicate their lives to healing others. The surgeons at Mankweng did not separate the conjoined twins for recognition or reward, but because they understood their responsibility as health professionals.

We owe it to every healthcare worker to give them the support, tools and working conditions they need to do their vital work.
 
The great achievement at Mankweng Hospital has shown us what is possible. It has also reminded us of what is necessary: a health system that serves every South African with excellence, compassion and dedication.

Equal access to quality health care must be the standard we set and the constitutional promise that we keep.

Cyril Ramaphosa is President of Soth Africa.

INSIDE POLITICS

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

The Democratic Alliance has asked Parliament’s higher education committee to summon ETDP SETA’s leadership after Auditor-General findings showed serious record-keeping and internal control failures, with R637.6 million in grant expenditure allegedly not being substantiated.

DA Deputy Spokesperson on Higher Education and Training Karabo Khakhau said that the Auditor-General of South Africa’s findings reflected a “shocking failure” of governance regarding discretionary grants at the ETDP SETA.

“According to the Auditor-General’s findings, a staggering R637.6 million in grant expenditure could not be substantiated due to missing records, with auditors unable to confirm the validity of the spending,” Khakhau said.

The funds were intended to support critical skills development programmes, including bursaries, internships and work-integrated learning opportunities for young South Africans.

The DA’s statement comes just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa said at News24’s On The Record summit that the SETA system “must be changed”, with his office later stating that government was working to replace it with a “fit-for-purpose system” that better links training to jobs.

In her statement, Khakhau said the AG report found not only administrative failure, but a betrayal of young people who rely on SETAs to access training and employment pathways.

“At a time when South Africa faces a deepening youth unemployment crisis, such gross mismanagement undermines both economic growth and public trust.”

According to the report, performance targets were not met, with some programmes using as little as 22% of their allocated budgets.

Khakhau said the findings raised questions about whether funds were not only mismanaged but potentially misappropriated.

“Equally concerning is the apparent absence of consequence management,” she said.

“The report indicates that no consistent disciplinary action has been taken against officials responsible for irregular or wasteful expenditure.”

Khakhau further said the alleged mismanagement had entrenched a culture of impunity within an institution tasked with empowering the next generation.

She said the DA would demand full accountability from the ETDP SETA’s executive leadership as well as its board.

“We will push for a comprehensive explanation of how such a vast sum of public money could be spent without adequate records, and what steps will be taken to recover any lost funds,” she said.

Khakhau said the matter reflected the overall problems in the SETA system.

“Increasingly, the entire SETA system looks to be a massive scheme for misappropriation where billions disappear, and ANC cadres are appointed to the highest levels,” she said.

The ETDP SETA was unavailable for comment.

INSIDE EDUCATION

The administrator of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), Lehlogonolo Masoga, has condemned what he described as a culture of intimidation and victimisation of whistleblowers, warning that it undermines governance and cripples the entity’s performance.

Masoga said the climate discourages employees from speaking out against wrongdoing, allowing corruption and maladministration to persist unchecked.

“You can imagine that if employees are aware that there is a culture of intimidation in the organisation, it suppresses open engagement,” he said on Friday.

Click on the link below to read the full story:

“Intimidation culture” choking Services SETA, administrator warns

ALSO READ: Gauteng launches specialised sports school at Vorentoe

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane on Thursday launched the Vorentoe Sports School of Specialisation in Johannesburg, with the province using the event to showcase its 38th specialist school and a new private-sector investment in the campus.

The Gauteng Department of Education said ION Holdings would build new classrooms, upgrade parking and sports facilities, and contribute towards a new pavilion at the school, in efforts to link academic performance with elite sport development.

Chiloane said the launch marked “a massive milestone for education and school sports” in the province.

Gauteng launches specialised sports school at Vorentoe

ALSO READ: Gina tells funders to explain rejected start-up applications

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina has accused government-owned funding agencies of stifling innovation by rejecting start-up applications without feedback.

Speaking at the opening of Innovation Week at Nasrec, she said the state funders needed to stop dismissing applications without guidance and instead help entrepreneurs improve and resubmit them.

“To the funders, especially government-owned funding instruments like the Innovation Fund, the Industrial Development Corporation, the Public Investment Corporation, the National Empowerment Fund, and others, please stop this practice of rejecting people’s applications without informing them where their applications or business plans fell short,” Gina said.

Click the link below to read the full story:

Gina tells funders to explain rejected start-up applications

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Akani Nkuna

The administrator of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), Lehlogonolo Masoga, has condemned what he described as a culture of intimidation and victimisation of whistleblowers, warning that it undermines governance and cripples the entity’s performance.

Masoga said the climate discourages employees from speaking out against wrongdoing, allowing corruption and maladministration to persist unchecked.

“You can imagine that if employees are aware that there is a culture of intimidation in the organisation, it suppresses open engagement,” he said on Friday.

“Even when people see wrongdoing, they keep quiet because they fear severe punishment.”

He added that addressing these challenges is central to the administration’s mandate.

“These are some of the issues the administration seeks to address. Administration has been brought in as an instrument to respond to the challenges identified, including improving performance,” he said.

Masoga was speaking to the media at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in Pretoria, following a mid-term progress report by the Higher Education Minister on three SETAs placed under administration — Services SETA, Construction SETA and Local Government SETA.

His remarks come amid scrutiny over the dismissal of three senior Services SETA employees between 2017 and 2020, who were accused at the time of enabling irregularities.

Masoga rejected that characterisation, saying the employees were, in fact, whistleblowers who had raised concerns about alleged corruption and maladministration within the entity.

Lehloma Ramajoe, a former senior manager for special projects who later moved to chamber operations, was suspended on 20 July 2019 and subsequently charged following an investigation by a firm of attorneys.

According to Masoga, Ramajoe had made protected disclosures relating to alleged maladministration involving several individuals.

A review of records corroborated his account, and it was determined that he suffered “occupational detriment” as a result.

He is now eligible for remedial action in terms of Section 193.

Similarly, Thandi Mkhize, who served as a senior manager for quality assurance from 2002 until her dismissal in 2017, was found to have been unfairly targeted.

She had been charged with misconduct, including allegedly sharing information with union members and inciting resistance to performance management changes.

“Based on the facts before me, it has been concluded that Mkhize was deliberately targeted,” Masoga said, adding that she will be compensated.

The third case involves Tshepiso Mofokeng, a chamber manager since 2008, who was dismissed in August 2019 for allegedly failing to perform her duties.

However, a review found that she had been unfairly victimised after raising concerns about irregularities within the entity. She will also receive compensation.

Masoga said these decisions form part of a broader effort to restore governance and accountability at Services SETA.

“Restorative justice incorporates, among other elements, active participation by affected parties, taking responsibility and a commitment to repairing harm, as well as a victim-centred approach,” he said.

“It is for this reason that, on behalf of Services SETA, I take full responsibility for the actions and inactions of my predecessors and commit to dispensing justice to the victims of our previous decisions.”

He added that disciplinary and legal action against individuals implicated in corruption and financial mismanagement is under way, with investigations being conducted by the Public Protector and the Hawks.

While some suspects have been identified, Masoga said names would not be disclosed until cases are finalised.

“Until someone is found guilty, it would be inappropriate to publicly name individuals. We will wait for the appropriate time,” he said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lebone Rodah Mosima 

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina has accused government-owned funding agencies of stifling innovation by rejecting start-up applications without feedback.

Speaking at the opening of Innovation Week at Nasrec, she said the state funders needed to stop dismissing applications without guidance and instead help entrepreneurs improve and resubmit them.

ALSO READ: Vaal crash driver Ayanda Dludla revives bail bid

“To the funders, especially government-owned funding instruments like the Innovation Fund, the Industrial Development Corporation, the Public Investment Corporation, the National Empowerment Fund, and others, please stop this practice of rejecting people’s applications without informing them where their applications or business plans fell short,” Gina said.

“As government funders, we have failed so many people; we have shut down so many dreams and prevented potential innovations because we have no care or patience to provide guidance, despite the business sense an application makes,” she said. “Let’s do better for our people.”

“Start-ups may not be good at paperwork, and hiring consultants to handle it can be expensive,” she said.

ALSO READ: New Joburg CBD tech campus bets on digital jobs for unemployed youth

She said the department’s 2022-2032 decadal plan aimed to raise gross expenditure on research and development to 1.5% of gross domestic product from about 1%.

Current levels were inadequate, she said.  

“For some time now, R&D funding has been underfunded,” Gina said, adding that industries were not investing enough in research and development.

Universities had also seen a decline in R&D because of revenue pressure, she said.

She said South Africa faced a persistent gap between innovation and commercial uptake, with universities and science bodies sitting on prototypes that were ready for use but not being absorbed by the private sector.

ALSO READ: 40 Mpumalanga learners hospitalised after suspected snack poisoning

Gina said government was trying to close those gaps through the Innovation Fund, administered by the Technology Innovation Agency, which is meant to de-risk early-stage technologies and attract private venture capital.

She said that the country faced a skills mismatch as new technologies, including artificial intelligence, reshaped the economy.

“We have a skills mismatch as a country; more graduates are unemployed because they have skills that this gig economy doesn’t really need,” Gina said.

INSIDE EDUCATION