The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, notes with concern the current protests in various institutions of higher learning, namely the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and the University of the Western Cape. The committee has also received a letter from Port Elizabeth TVET College students listing various challenges students face.
On 9 May 2023, the committee wrote to the CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Nhlapo, requesting CPUT to urgently provide details of its plans to resolve the challenges students are experiencing, so that teaching and learning are not further interrupted. Prof Nhlapo’s office has acknowledged receipt of this request, but to date the committee has not received an official response.
On 10 May, the committee received a briefing on the annual performance plans of the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and other Department of Higher Education and Training entities. The committee in this meeting urged the department, which was led in the meeting by Director-General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, and the NSFAS to speedily address the various challenges raised by students, including those institutions that are not protesting.
The committee expressed its deep concern that in the month of May and approaching the exam period some students are still not placed in residences, do not have their funding confirmed, are still awaiting appeal outcomes and have not received their allowances, amidst other challenges. The department committed to ensuring that the concerns raised by the committee are addressed.
The committee continues to urge all stakeholders in the sector to make themselves available for dialogue and engagement in order to find amicable ways of resolving the challenges experienced. The success of South Africa’s academic project is quintessential to the self-liberation of all its people. The committee will continue to monitor the interventions made by the department, NSFAS and leaders of institutions as part of its oversight responsibilities.