Four years later and Nzimande has still not acted on higher education reports
The week before last, we heard the first squeak from Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande since his disastrous announcement last month that universities could set their own fee hikes for 2017, but asked that these be not more than 8%. Obliged to appear before the parliamentary select committee, Nzimande declared that "there are forces that have no interest in the academic year and it will suit them if it is not completed because it will destabilise the country". It is implausible that there are many students who do not wish to complete their studies this year. Where Nzimande is correct is that some students are prepared to make this sacrifice, and universities are in the unfortunate position of once again finding themselves in the firing line. This time last year, President Jacob Zuma managed to stay the tide by agreeing to bankroll most of a zero-fee increase for 2016, and in January this year, he set up a commission, to report by June, to investigate the feasibility of free hi...
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