By Lungile Ntimba

Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba will hand over two newly constructed primary schools in the Sekhukhune district on Tuesday, in line with the department’s undertaking to enhance infrastructure provisions within the province.

“This milestone reinforces the government’s commitment to improving education infrastructure, ensuring that learners have access to quality learning environments from the foundation phase,” provincial spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela said.

The premier will be joined by the education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya during the handover of Dikgalaopeng Primary School and Mpelegeng Primary School.

“The handover of these schools is yet another demonstration of the government’s resolve to enhance learning conditions, support educators and create an enabling environment for learners to excel,” Ramathuba said in a statement on Monday.

On Monday, the MEC handed over Wayeni Primary School in the Vhembe West education district and MR Mamaila Primary School in the Mopani East education district.

Wayeni has 216 learners, 11 classrooms, an administration block, a mobile kitchen, four ablution blocks and eight unitary basins.

MR Mamaila has 432 learners, three newly constructed blocks with one renovated, administration block, seven classrooms and ablution facilities.

Earlier this month, Lerule-Ramakhanya handed over another two new schools. They were Matsuokwane Secondary School in Bochum in the Capricorn North Education District and Sekete Secondary School in Kanana Village 

Matsuokwane has 359 learners, 10 classrooms, an administration block, ablution facilities and a borehole, while Sekete boasts similar infrastructure and has 175 learners.

The construction of the schools is aimed at addressing the infrastructure backlog and alleviating overcrowding.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Akani Nkuna

Learner pregnancy remains a major challenge, with over 30% of teenage girls falling pregnant in South Africa.

Of these, 65% are unplanned, which emphasises the urgent need for effective interventions to address the issue and support young learners in continuing their education while preventing unintended pregnancies.

According to the Basic Education Department, inequality, poverty, gender-based violence and power imbalances are key factors that drive high pregnancy rates. Data shows a rise in births among 10 to 14-year-olds between October and December 2024, coinciding with school closures for exams and holidays.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities was briefed by the department on the scourge, which especially gets media attention during the festive season when provincial education departments release figures on teenagers who have given birth.

Committee chairperson Liezl van der Merwe emphasized the need for ongoing solutions to address pregnancies, rather than limiting the focus to the December period.

“We want to focus on our learner pregnancy crisis. During the December period a lot of media focus was placed on this matter,” she said.

“However, it cannot be that we wait until Christmas babies arrive for us as portfolio committee to really interrogate this crisis. Because we do need to find an effective solution to this crisis,” she said during committee meeting this week.

Effective management of learner pregnancy depended on collaboration and complementary approach between all departments, partners and stakeholders including instituting strong referral mechanism, an official from the department told the committee.

The department emphasised that factors such as grade repetition, household poverty, unplanned pregnancies and limited communication about sexual reproductive health with caregivers or parents were placing girls at risk of dropping out of school.

“Those who drop out early during pregnancy with no formal childcare and no family care are at risk of not returning back to school,” Ndlovu added.

The department launched its policy on preventing and managing learner pregnancy in 2021. It is designed to foster a supportive environment, offer comprehensive sex education and provide care, counselling and support for pregnant learners.

However, committee members emphasised the importance of better coordination between government departments, stronger referral systems and peer education programmes to empower both girls and boys.

According to the department, there is a 49% likelihood of school enrolment for girls who have given birth and experience food insecurity, live in informal housing, have strained relationships with caregivers and face longer distances to school.

The enrolment figure increases drastically – to 72% – for girls who have who have access to the right food and the right amount, do not live in informal housing, have positive relationships with caregivers and also live close to school.

In late 2023, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) conducted a comprehensive study on school dropouts among adolescent girls during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

It showed that there were a multitude of factors contributing to adolescent pregnancy. They included limited knowledge about sexual biology and access to contraception services, fear of stigmatisation, lack of parental involvement, various socioeconomic factors, statutory rape, older sex partners, teacher–student sexual relations and substance abuse.

It also found, as the department has, that household and school-related factors are barriers to the retention of pregnant learners and adolescent mothers in school.

The report made a number of recommendations, emphasising that they should be implemented in a holistic and coordinated manner, with a strong focus on the rights, needs, and aspirations of pregnant and parenting youth.

The suggestions include prevention, supporting pregnant and parenting youth, policy and legal reforms, and collaboration and partnerships.

On regulations, it says that laws and policies related to teenage pregnancies need to be reviewed and updated, law enforcement against child marriage and sexual exploitation must strengthened, and access to legal services for pregnant and parenting youth must be ensured.

While the department and committee agree that there is a need for inclusive education and strategies for preventing and managing learner pregnancy, clearly a lot more needs to be done.

This includes a recommendation by the CGE that the departments of Basic Education, Health, Social Development and SA Police Services spearhead school-based and community programmes.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Edwin Naidu

Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane did not have a blue light brigade when she visited Nelson Mandela University as part of her national roadshow to assess the readiness of institutions for higher learning.

When the shuttle she was travelling in had a puncture, the minister hopped onto a university shuttle and was seated next to a student leader.

Unlike the previous BWW-loving incumbent, who was cold and paid lip service to the poor and students, the minister left with a growing reputation for showing empathy and listening to students’ challenges. There is no time for airs and graces when there is a crisis — and a job to be done.

Some complaints were about accommodation hurdles, not knowing when they would have money for food and delayed payments from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for computers inhibiting their studies. Students pleaded with Nkabane to help them. She pledged to try and address their issues with NSFAS.

The visit provided a platform for students in queues for various financial aid support to highlight their challenges with the minister. At the same time, university management also provided updates on ongoing efforts to enhance student access and success.

The minister had a similar meeting at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she ordered the institution, which was already full, to keep registrations open by a week. While this does not make sense and highlights the administrative nightmare facing universities in the country, at least it shows she makes decisions swiftly.

Her predecessor moved at a snail’s pace. While at UKZN, she also questioned why universities were not revamping their programmes to become relevant.

Universities nationwide face challenges, such as increasing applications versus available capacity, accommodation shortages and student financial aid concerns.

Mindful of the money-making by varsities over the fee for varsity applications, while at Nelson Mandela University, Nkabane criticised universities that charged prospective students an application fee to study at their institutions.

She said universities were becoming a joke. They know how many students they can admit, but they keep taking application fees from students, with some universities charging R200 per application.

She said this was done even they knew they could not accommodate the students at all. She referred to a media report on this practice in January, which alluded to “thugs in red gowns”.

Last month prospective students expressed anger on social media at the amount of money universities were making from application fees while students were being rejected due to a shortage of space.

“We need to sit down with USAf (Universities South Africa) and student formations to come up with a solution.”

She explained that the country had a central application system, but universities were not coming on board.

“We cannot be seen as thugs. We cannot take advantage of the vulnerable – we are messing (with) our children on the ground.”

Nelson Mandela University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa said the university did not charge application fees, which the minister and her delegation applauded.

Prof. Muthwa pointed out to students, the minister and colleagues from NSFAS and the department that none of the problems at the institution could be solved without collaboration.

“Fortunately, our university has a very strong culture of engagement with our students.”

The minister has also appointed a new NSFAS board. However, there is much work to be done. The new team must prioritise governance — not personal enrichment — and not pull the wool over the eyes with the number of students benefitting from funding that masks the problems.

An audit of NSFAS must show whether the country is getting value for money. There have been claims that the system retains permanent students, some of whom take as long as eight years to get a qualification – because they know that on finishing, they could join the ranks of unemployed. What is the success rate of university and TVET students getting funded by NSFAS?

With the new minister hitting the ground running, education should not be seen as a bottomless pit that produces nothing for the nation.

Edwin Naidu is editor of Inside Education.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Edwin Naidu

Amid concern over funding cutbacks, experts in southern Africa have emphasised the need for partnerships to create resilient financing models for African science.

With African science becoming increasingly influential globally and helping to set the continent’s science agenda, funding is critical.

The importance of leveraging partnerships was a recurring theme during the recent meeting of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in the Sub-Saharan Africa Annual Forum and the Global Research Council (GRC) Sub-Saharan African regional meeting in Gaborone.

Funding and innovative resource use were important topics of discussions among scientists, funders, think-tank leaders and policymakers from Africa on various science, technology, and innovation (STI) themes.

It saw engagement among the global network of partners in academia, industry, civil society, government and intergovernmental organisations.

The gathering discussed strengthening African national innovation ecosystems through institutions, policies and programming.

According to Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo and Dr Thandi Mgwebi, who serve at the National Research Foundation as the CEO and group executive of business advancement, respectively, the gathering took place within the context of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It also laid out the framework for developing and enhancing strong strategic partnerships in support of STI on the continent.

Nelwamondo and Mgwebi said that the dominant discourse around the funding of science in Africa tended to focus on the limited contributions by African governments.

Many have not yet reached the AU’s target of allocating at least 1% of GDP to R&D. The Global North still dominates funding and there is limited private sector investment.

“What we hear much less about are the various homegrown funding organisations, such as public funders of science, and how, under conditions of precarity and uncertainty, they innovate around the development of resilient and sustainable models for funding science is more urgent than ever,” they said.

According to two, these organisations varied greatly in size and capacity in Africa – from a one-person operation within a ministry of science to fully fledged organisations. They played critical roles in their science systems regardless of their size and capacity.

For nine years, Nelwamondo and Mgwebi said the NRF and its sibling public research funders have made significant strides to build and sustain funding partnerships through the SGCI in the region.

Launched in 2015, the SGCI has strengthened the capacities of SGCs to support research and evidence-based policies that contribute to economic and social development. The multilateral alliance involves 17 countries.

“Together, we have funded national, bilateral, triangular and multilateral research programmes that seek to contribute to knowledge, human capital development and solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges.

“We have shared experiences, expanded our capacities and connected the dots that enhance our ability to disburse funds into the research ecosystem in an informed manner,” they said.

These initiatives have expanded capabilities to promote the status of women and equality in research.

“We have collectively produced scholarly work that documents how public funders of African research function are positioned. Together, we have built a shared understanding of what it takes to leverage scientific and political proximity to contribute to the financial resilience of Africa’s research ecosystem.“

They said that through the SGCI, as public funders of research, they were gaining greater visibility, including in the global science arena.

“We are positioning ourselves as partners of choice who interface with other science bodies, policymakers and communities across the continent and beyond,” added Nelwamondo and Mgwebi.

The NRF has taken the lead in harnessing its partnerships with its Global North funding partners and African science granting councils, inspired by the SGCI, to fund long-term strategic investments linked to the continent’s development agenda.

A prime example is the OR Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative, which is based on a distributed funding model in which all partners, including the host institutions, contribute to the programme’s funding.

“In doing so, African public funders of researchers are increasingly positioning themselves as partners of choice who are willing, able and available to partner with and provide an interface for science bodies, policymakers and communities on the continent and beyond.

“They are partners of choice because they can manage and disburse funds and offer insights and entries into the inner workings of their national science systems.”

These partnerships align with the broader desire for African public funders of research to increase the collective voice of African science on the global science stage, contribute to setting the African science agenda and influence the international science agenda.

These efforts will continue to be bolstered by the expansion of partnerships among governments, the private sector, academia, think-tanks, other funding partners and intergovernmental organisations to fund science for effective outcomes as mandated by the AU and in line with the SDGs.

“This cannot be overemphasised since global science is being called on increasingly to address the significant economic, environmental, geopolitical and technological crises of the 21st century,” said Nelwamondo and Mgwebi.

Abraham Mathodi, acting deputy director of the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology in Botswana, said it was essential to establish partnerships to address issues in Africa.

“As a member of the Science Granting Council Initiative, Botswana has benefited by participating. It has been able to get involved in other partnerships, for example, with the National Research Foundation under the OR Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative.”

He said as a member of the SGCI, Botswana was able to participate in the Africa-Japan collaborative research programme, the AJ Core.

“Participation in the SGCI has also given us a platform to be part of the Global Research Council, and it has opened windows for us to be able to solicit other partnerships, even within or without the SGCI and without the GRC; we are able now to dialogue,” he added.

Cephus Adjei Mensah, head of the Research Council of Ghana, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, said one of the very core requirements was co-creating.

“So, for example, how do we look at research areas that present some commonalities to us in terms of how we can fund research, so we can see that even within the SGCI, there are some best practices for working together in terms of core elements.

“Programmes like, for example, funding initiatives that we have been able to do together, like the long-term Europe, Africa, water, energy, food programme and some of the bilateral partnerships.

“That is going to be how we pull funds together from respective institutions to make a better impact, is one of the good ways to go… looking at sustainability, because most of the issues are across, and there are commonalities within that.”

Professor Anicia Peters, CEO of the National Commission on Research Science and Technology in Namibia, said it was key to examine what was being funded. While national priorities may exist, they may be shifting.

“In Namibia, food security is a priority, which includes agriculture. But then you have your health issues, etc., and then you have very topical issues that come up, like the energy crisis that we were experiencing, the green hydrogen drive, and suddenly, the oil and gas discoveries came in.

“Namibia has declared an emergency regarding the drought, so there’s no water. So now we must shift our focus. We should have been consistently working on it, but it is just now where we need to build,” she said.

Peters believes that resilient systems were needed, however, they must be flexible, agile and adaptive systems.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Zama Mthombeni

In his 2019 State of the Nation address, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he was creating a commission on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

The term refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies like AI and robotics, as well as automation, into various economic and social domains. The first (1760s to early 1800s), second (1870s to early 1900s) and third (1950s to late 20th century) industrial revolutions were mechanical and electronic in nature. The 4IR is characterised by the fusion of physical, digital and biological systems. It is fundamentally reshaping industries, work and societies.

Ramaphosa acknowledged at the time that the 4IR “may lead to job losses”. However, he added, it would also “create many new opportunities”:

Through this transformation, we can build the South Africa we want, ensuring inclusive and shared growth for all.

Six years on, the commission’s work has yielded some results. It’s led to the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute and the creation of AI hubs in key sectors like healthcare and mining.

But how do ordinary South Africans view the 4IR? Globally, research has shown that there’s a stark divide in how people view the promises and perils of modern technological advancements. The wealthy, armed with access to education and resources, see opportunity. Marginalised groups, particularly those in lower-income brackets, are left fearing job losses and economic exclusion. Historical and cultural anxieties around technology also play a role in people’s perceptions.

I’m a researcher whose work explores, among other things, the intersection of technology, policy and governance. I am especially interested in the 4IR in a South African context and recently co-authored a study with development studies scholar Oliver Mtapuri to examine the role of social class on people’s views of technological change.

We found that wealthier South Africans, particularly those in urban areas, were more optimistic about automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging 4IR technologies than those in lower-income and rural communities. Racial disparities were evident, too. White South Africans were 2.5 times more likely to report feeling comfortable with technological change than Black South Africans.

These findings can help policymakers understand how best to push for a 4IR in South Africa that doesn’t deepen existing inequalities. This will require inclusive digital policies and expanded access to technology and training. Here South Africa could learn from countries like Germany and Finland.

Germany is working nationwide to equip workers with the skills needed for an increasingly digital economy. Finland, meanwhile, has focused on active labour market policies. It combines digital training programmes with progressive social welfare measures to support workers transitioning between industries. Both countries have also expanded social protections by extending unemployment benefits and offering financial support for retraining. They’ve also ensured that gig and platform workers have access to social security.

Marginalised groups left behind

Our data was drawn from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It’s a nationally representative survey of 2,736 adults (16 and older). We conducted a secondary analysis of the data. The focus was on questions in the survey about technological change, fears of job displacement and access to digital tools. This, alongside an analysis of demographic data in the survey, allowed us to examine class, race and geographic disparities in perceptions of automation, AI and digital transformation.

Some of the key findings were:

56% of South Africans believed that 4IR technologies would lead to job losses rather than job creation. Lower-income groups expressed the highest levels of concern.

Unemployment was a key determinant of 4IR scepticism: 63% of unemployed respondents felt threatened by automation, compared to 41% of those currently employed.

Only 29% of respondents from rural areas reported having regular access to the internet. The figure was 74% among urban respondents.

There are structural and historical barriers to lower-income South Africans’ economic mobility, access to quality education and participation in the digital economy.

Apartheid-era policies entrenched economic disparities. These still show in unequal access to education and infrastructure.

Today, rural areas lack reliable internet connections. (About 31.18% of South Africa’s population live in rural areas.) This makes it nearly impossible for people to benefit from or contribute to the digital economy.

Many industries at the forefront of automation, such as manufacturing and agriculture, are those with the highest number of low-skilled workers. Research by the International Labour Organisation emphasises that vulnerable workers all over the world often lack the skills needed in new job markets. This reinforces workers’ fears that technology will replace them.

Closing the gap: policy solutions

It will take bold, inclusive policies to address these inequalities.

The South African government must do more to increase access to technology. It already subsidises internet costs especially to schools. It has also expanded broadband networks into some under-served areas. And it offers free digital skills programmes. The problem is that these efforts are piecemeal. A more cohesive national strategy is needed.

Policies must also be developed with those who have been excluded from technological progress. This will allow them to participate fully in the digital economy – and, perhaps, come to understand and trust technology a bit more.

In practice, this could mean expanding initiatives like the National Digital and Future Skills strategy, which aims to equip citizens with the necessary skills to participate in the digital economy. This focuses on developing digital skills across various sectors and communities, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation.

Additionally, policies could support township-based digital innovation hubs such as the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. It provides training, incubation and resources to entrepreneurs from marginalised communities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Industries have a role to play, too. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative provides citizens with resources to adapt to changing job markets. This is a good example of government and industry working together. Closer to home, Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) brings together “government, industry, civil society and academia to co-design, test and refine policy frameworks and governance protocols that maximise the benefits of new technologies”.

The 4IR has the potential to transform South Africa. But this will only happen if its benefits are shared equitably among all citizens. Innovation must be re-imagined not as a tool to consolidate wealth and privilege but as a means of creating a more inclusive society.

Zama Mthombeni is a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria.

The Conversation

By Levy Masiteng 

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) have joined forces to promote university sports and biathlon excellence worldwide.

South Africa is a member of FISU and has representatives on a number of its committees.

FISU president Leonz Eder and IBU president Olle Dahlin put pen to paper, signing a Memorandum of Understanding this week, that paves the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in university sports.

FISU spokesperson Therese Courvoisier said the partnership aimed to promote sports for all university students, regardless of gender, and foster a culture of inclusivity, diversity and excellence.

“It outlines a common initiative to promote sports for all university students, regardless of their gender. This is a step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse sporting culture in universities worldwide,” she said.

During their visit to Lenzerheide, Switzerland,  Eder and FISU Games Winter Director Milan Augustin met with Dahlin and Secretary General Max Cobb to formalise the agreement. 

Courvoisier also said that a collaborative framework for FISU and IBU was being used to design and implement educational campaigns that promoted values such as sustainability, fair play, integrity and anti-doping. 

“These initiatives will seek to raise awareness among university athletes and officials alike,” she said in a statement.

Biathlon, is a sport with a rich history in the military, and has become a popular discipline among university students.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Alicia Mmashakana

South Africa has marked International Mother Tongue Language Day under the theme “Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development”.

Discussions at Mbombela between the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), the Sports, Arts and Culture Department focused on the significance of mother tongue utilisation, particularly within educational frameworks, as a means to enhance learning outcomes.

Friday was the 25th anniversary of the day. Its aim is to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism.

The event underscores the critical connection between language preservation and promotion and the adoption of multilingual education policies and practices on a global scale.

PanSALB CEO Lance Schultz said that the introduction of mother tongue-based bilingual education in schools would not only enhance the quality of education, but also sustain linguistic and cultural diversity.

“It will provide learners with a sense of pride in their heritage and contribute to the development of a more inclusive and equitable society,” he said.

Schultz stated that the event served as a constant reminder and an essential part in the pursuit of equitable access to education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

“The national implementation of MTBBE (mother tongue-based bilingual education) thus represents a pivotal step toward not only decolonising the educational landscape, but also unlocking the potential of learners as guaranteed in the Constitution’s preamble,” he said in a statement.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube participated in a Unesco panel to share what South Africa was doing with MTBBE.

She said that evidence showed that to improve learning outcomes, reduce inequalities and give every child a fair chance at success, it was important to expand access to MTBBE.

“This is particularly relevant for us in South Africa, where most learners transition from mother-tongue instruction to English as the langue of learning and teaching after only three years of schooling, which is insufficient according to international research.  

“We are not aiming to replace any language but are adding a mother-tongue to strengthen comprehension and improve educational outcomes,” she said.

This approach will include teacher training, updated bilingual materials and potentially introducing bilingual national assessments.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Thapelo Molefe

The Students Representative Council at the University of Cape Town has welcomed the University Council’s decision to grant concessions to some students facing financial exclusion, but argued that the resolution falls short of addressing the full scope of the crisis.

“While the University Council has made some concessions, thousands of students remain at risk of exclusion due to outstanding fees. This is not enough — we need a long-term, sustainable solution to ensure that no student is left behind,” the SRC said in a statement.

The SRC stated this on Friday in response to the council’s resolution on financial exclusion, acknowledging progress but insisting that more action was needed to protect vulnerable students.

The issue of financial exclusion at UCT has been a long-standing challenge, with students facing fee blocks that prevent them from registering for the academic year. Many students, despite being academically eligible, have been unable to continue their studies due to outstanding debt.

This week over 2000 UCT students marched to Parliament to submit a Memorandum of Demands to the South African government. 

The protest was in response to the broader systemic issues of student funding and accommodation shortages, which the SRC argues are not just UCT’s responsibility but failures of national economic policies.

As part of its resolution, the council has introduced financial relief measures aimed at assisting specific groups of students facing financial exclusion. 

Academically eligible but financially vulnerable students, including 235 individuals with outstanding 2024 debt totalling R26 million, will receive financial aid, with final-year students being prioritised. 

Additionally, 458 students who have made partial payments, with a collective debt of R18 million, will also benefit, particularly those who have paid at least 40% of their fees or owe less than R50,000. 

The resolution further provides relief to students with historic debt and bursaries, allowing 76 full bursary students (owing R6 million) and 38 partial bursary students (owing R2.8 million) to register under specific conditions. 

Moreover, students who have secured funding for 2025 through approved loans or verifiable bursaries will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility for further assistance.

Despite these concessions, the SRC remains firm that financial exclusion must be completely eradicated. It argues that many students still face uncertainty and the systemic issue of affordability in higher education needs permanent solutions rather than temporary relief measures.

Earlier on speaking to Inside Education, the SRC confirmed that protest action had paused but remained unresolved.

“The protest action has stopped for now. There are still students sleeping in our offices who have not yet received accommodation, so the fight is not really over. Around 100 students are sleeping at the SRC offices.”

The SRC also criticised management’s approach, stating that financially struggling students were being pressured to leave campus. 

“They were forcing students who have fee blocks to go home, but they really can’t do that. From our side as the SRC, we encouraged all academically eligible students to not go home.” 

UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela acknowledged the student protests but emphasised that the university could not afford blanket fee concessions. 

“We have, on several occasions, cautioned the SRC against disruptive protests. While we understand student concerns, disruptions to university operations, including road blockages and lecture interruptions, cannot be tolerated,” he said.

Moshabela also pointed out that past blanket concessions have contributed to a culture of non-payment, with 239 graduates from the 2021 concessions still owing the university R30 million. UCT’s total student debt now stands at R864 million. 

“Management will continue to engage with the SRC to find common ground upon which a proposal can be finalised for presentation to council,” he said.

Meanwhile, the African National Congress Study Group on Higher Education and Training in Parliament has voiced its support for students, calling for immediate action to prevent financial exclusion. 

“It is unacceptable that any student should be denied access to education due to financial constraints. The university must prioritise student needs and implement solutions that address financial barriers without delay.”

Universities South Africa (USAf), however, urged students to direct their grievances toward the government rather than universities. 

“While the students’ grievances are legitimate, these issues are being presented to the wrong role players. Universities are not the primary source of student funding,” USAf stated.

As tensions remain high, the SRC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for permanent solutions to financial exclusion, emphasising that their fight for free and accessible education is far from over.

“We will continue engaging with stakeholders, mobilising support and ensuring that no student is left behind. The doors of learning must be open to all,” the SRC concluded.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Levy Masiteng 

The Gauteng human settlements department and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have joined forces to revolutionise human settlements in the province. 

The partnership has been formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. It aims to create a more equitable and just society by addressing the systemic barriers that are worsening the inequality in human settlements.

“Today, we convene not merely to formalise an agreement, but to ignite a movement. We are here to forge a powerful alliance, a partnership dedicated to the monumental task of transforming human settlements in Gauteng,” said human settlements MEC Tasneem Motara.

She said that at the heart of the partnership was the “40-40-40 problem”, which was a stark reminder of the enduring legacy of apartheid’s spatial planning and racially motivated laws. 

In breaking down the problem, Motara explained that it manifested in three interconnected challenges, including 40 square metres of inadequate housing, 40km  daily commutes and 40% of income spent on transportation.

“The Group Areas Act, the migrant labour system and other discriminatory legislation created a fragmented and unequal urban landscape, where access to housing, employment and basic services was determined by race”. 

To address these challenges, the partnership will leverage the expertise of UJ to conduct cutting-edge research, develop innovative solutions and train the next generation of urban planners and human settlements professionals. 

In addition, the department’s Research Chair will be launched at UJ, which will drive innovation and technological advancements within the built environment.

The partnership will also focus on creating affordable housing options closer to employment centres, ensuring access to essential services and empowering communities to shape their own future. 

“This is not just about building houses; it is about building a just and equitable society. It is about creating spaces where people can thrive, where families can flourish and where the wounds of the past can begin to heal. It is about building a Gauteng where everyone has the opportunity to live a life of dignity and purpose,” she said. 

Motara extended her gratitude to UJ for its visionary leadership in establishing the Sustainable Human Settlement and Construction Research Centre.

“This is not just another academic undertaking; it is a beacon of hope, a catalyst for innovation that promises to revolutionise human settlements delivery in Gauteng and beyond.”

She said the centre must be at the forefront of combating the plague of inadequate housing and the state must harness its intellectual capacity to generate solutions that were not only practical and sustainable, but also deeply rooted in the lived experiences of South Africans.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Johanthan Paoli

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has chastised the University of the Witwatersrand for what it describes as a concerning lack of student engagement in addressing challenges.

Following the appearance of management, and worker and student representatives before the committee on Wednesday, chairperson Tebogo Letsie stressed that students were the primary stakeholders of universities.

Therefore, management structures should be readily open to consultation, especially at the start of the academic year.

“Regular meetings with students are crucial in minimising problems. While policies might appear progressive on paper, they become obstacles to progress if not developed through proper consultation with all stakeholders,” Letsie said.

The committee criticised reports from the university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) which claimed that students had no choice but to sleep wherever they could find shelter due to accommodation unavailability at the institution.

It further called into question the university’s policy of forcing students to settle a portion of their debts before registration, in addition to the high cost of student accommodation accredited by the university.

In light of this, the committee called for a closer inspection of the Higher Education Act, noting that the department has allowed universities to operate outside of the provisions of the legislation, leading to non-compliance with the set terms for senior administrators.

The department welcomed the call for a review of the Act, stating that it remained problematic that universities could determine different statutes not in line with the legislation, including extending the term of office for vice chancellors.

Furthermore, the committee reprehended the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for its marked absence during critical meetings where their responses to challenges were required.

“We have requested NSFAS to review their systems to ensure that no students have been defunded incorrectly and to implement corrective measures where necessary. No university can survive without the state’s intervention through NSFAS,” Letsie said.

The committee called on the university to get things back on track and make concessions to allow students to register despite outstanding debt.

Acknowledging the practical realities, they posited that upon obtaining their qualification, chances of the institution in recouping those funds would increase.

The committee welcomed the commitment made by Higher Education and Training Minister Minister Nobuhle Nkabane in visiting the institution, accompanied by the NSFAS team to engage with students regarding challenges and concerns.

Meanwhile, during the presentation to the committee, a demonstration took place on the main campus in Johannesburg, followed by the interruption of two classes.

About 60 individuals, who were largely calling for all students to be registered, blocked Yale road and were asked to leave.

Inside Education reached out to the university, with spokesperson Shirona Patel confirming that the meeting this week between the SRC and the University Vice-Chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi had proved productive.

“The meeting went well – they have now raised R9 million for the SRC Fund which will be disbursed to students together with funding from the Hardship Fund,” Patel said.

Acknowledging reports of an increase in nationwide protests, she said that things however appeared peaceful and undisruptive.

“We are hearing rumours of protests in solidarity with UCT and Stellenbosch, but all remains quiet for now,” the spokesperson said.

Following a five-day hunger strike, the university confirmed that it had removed the two postgraduate students from the SRC boardroom due to their status as being unregistered.

Patel described tone of them as an SRC member from approximately 10 years ago who was demanding postgraduate funding as well as another mature male student who was also demanding to study further.

INSIDE EDUCATION