The reckless announcement by President Jacob Zuma at the ANC conference has put the cat among the pigeons at the Treasury, where an estimated R40bn a year will have to be found, and at the Department of Higher Education, where the practical means to roll out fee-free higher education to deserving matriculants whose households earn less than R350,000 a year has to be organised with the universities. The EFF’s strident call for walk-in registrations for those able and available to take Zuma at his word is further complicating the matter. There seems to be great confusion about the actual cost involved, given the limitations on spaces at universities, which were taken by surprise by the announcement. It flies in the face of the recommendations of the Heher commission. Belatedly, a five-year roll-out period has been mooted, surely a red rag to the red berets and to the #FeesMustFall movement. The cupboard at the Treasury may be as bare as Old Mother Hubbard’s, but the funding can be fou...
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