No walk-in applications, universities warn prospective students amid threat of fees chaos
Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize takes issue with USAF’s ‘dismayed’ reaction, saying vice-chancellors were briefed on Zuma’s December 16 announcement
The 26 universities in SA will accept no walk-in applications in January, Universities South Africa (USAF) said on Tuesday. This was one of the outcomes of a meeting between USAF, the Department of Higher Education and Training and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to discuss the implications of President Jacob Zuma’s announcement for free higher education for the poor and the working class in December. USAF said that "much to their dismay”, the universities had discovered at the meeting that the government’s decision to implement the new system was a fait accompli — one that had happened before they had heard about it, and they were given no choice but to accept it. But Higher Education and Training Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize took to Twitter on Tuesday to dispute the universities’ account. “[I am] trying to figure out what Prof Ahmed Bawa is reported to have said … that the president of the republic … was not supposed to announce improved support for the poor and wor...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.