Understanding tax no longer needs to be complicated for communities and students alike. The Tshwane University of Technology's Department of Accounting at the Ga-Rankuwa Campus has officially launched a dedicated Tax Clinic Office, creating a central space where taxpayers can access guidance while students gain valuable real-world experience.

The initiative strengthens tax education, promotes community engagement and equips future tax professionals with practical skills.

The launch of the Tax Clinic Office is an important step forward in making tax services more accessible while strengthening experiential learning opportunities for students.

Fezile Ncongwane, Head of TUT’s Department of Accounting, described the Tax Clinic as an incubator that supports and empowers students while addressing gaps in tax knowledge within communities. She added that many taxpayers struggle to navigate South Africa’s complex tax system because they lack the knowledge, confidence or resources needed to meet their obligations.

“We know that the South African tax system can be complex, particularly for ordinary South Africans who may not always have the knowledge, confidence or resources to navigate it. That complexity is one of the reasons for the need for a Tax Clinic. It will help us bridge the gap between the tax system and the people who interact with it. With the launch of the Tax clinic Office, we are taking the idea of bridging the gap a step further. We will not only continue providing a space for tax assistance but also a space for tax education, research, engagement and practical experience,” she said.

Jerry Netshandama, Tax Clinic Manager, said an idea that began as a small initiative has grown into a national project after identifying a need that serves both students and communities.

“Students msut see how tax knowledge is applied in the real world and taxpayers need access to people who can assist them to understand their tax rights and obligations,” he said.

The Department of Accounting Head, Fezile Ncongwane, delivering the opening address.Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, highlighted the Tax Clinic’s role in advancing the University’s strategic goals. She said the initiative joins other programmes that create opportunities for students to gain practical workplace experience while developing the skills needed to contribute positively to society.

“Our first strategic goal speaks directly to the kind of graduates we want to produce, graduates who are knowledgeable, adaptable, ethical, innovative and capable of making a positive contribution to society,” she said.

Yanga Mputa, Tax Ombud, welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that it will continue growing to benefit underserved communities across the country. She encouraged students to pursue careers in taxation and emphasised the importance of helping taxpayers understand their rights and responsibilities.

Mputa said a lack of tax knowledge can lead taxpayers to miss deadlines or accept assessments without understanding available options. She encouraged Tax Clinic consultants to ensure that every client leaves with answers to their questions, appropriate referrals and a positive service experience built on patience and empathy.

The Tax Clinic also received strong support from key stakeholders in the tax sector. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT) endorsed the initiative and recognised its value in improving access to tax assistance within communities.

According to Prof Polly Mashigo, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Finance, the Tax Clinic reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to education, excellence and meaningful community impact.

“This Tax Clinic demonstrates our achievements in education, passion and excellence towards advancing not only good but great work that this department has done so far,” she said.

The Tax Clinic Office will operate from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 14:00, offering support to taxpayers while providing students with an environment to apply their knowledge in practice.

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The central purpose of the engagement is to ensure the orderly implementation of the interim Court order issued on 14 August 2026, safeguard institutional continuity, and manage the shift from administration to the interim governance arrangements outlined by the Court. This moment demands precision, coordination, and a shared commitment to stabilising NSFAS operations.

NSFAS occupies a critical position in the post‑school education and training system. By funding hundreds of thousands of students across universities and TVET colleges, its performance directly affects individual educational journeys, institutional functioning, and the broader stability of the higher education sector. The effectiveness of NSFAS is therefore not merely administrative — it is foundational to the system’s ability to deliver equitable access and long‑term national development.

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• Minister Thembisile Simelane explained the amendments aim to curb organised land invasions while preserving constitutional protection against arbitrary eviction.

• Legal experts warned that broader criminalisation and uncertainty over alternative accommodation could have unintended consequences for vulnerable occupiers.

• The roundtable called for stronger safeguards, meaningful public participation and closer attention to municipal capacity and the roots of South Africa’s housing crisis.

South Africa’s attempt to tighten the law governing illegal evictions and unlawful land occupation must protect vulnerable people without allowing organised exploitation to flourish, Human Settlements Minister Thembisile Simelane told a high-level Stellenbosch University (SU) law reform roundtable.

Recently hosted online by SU’s Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and facilitated by Thembalethu Seyisi, the discussion examined the Draft Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill, published for public comment in April 2026.

Seyisi, the Head of Law Reform, Advocacy and Institutional Partnerships at the CSJ, explained that the Law Reform Roundtables are intended to foster public participation in the law-making process.

“It is a space where diverse expertise – legal scholars, policymakers, civil society, practitioners, and affected communities – come together to engage in genuine democratic dialogue to shape law reform that prioritizes social justice,” he explained.

The Bill proposes broader offences for people who organise or incite unlawful occupation, a maximum fine of R2 million, mandatory joinder of relevant public authorities, mediation in certain cases involving state-owned land and greater court powers over the duration of temporary alternative accommodation.

A difficult constitutional balance

Simelane said the reform responded to nearly three decades of experience under the 1998 PIE Act. South Africa continues to face severe housing need and spatial inequality, while organised land invasions, building hijackings and the unlawful sale of sites increasingly exploit desperate households, she pointed out.

“We must therefore avoid a false choice between protecting vulnerable occupiers and upholding the rule of law,” she said. “A just framework must do both.”

She stressed that the Bill was not a substitute for housing delivery. The longer-term answer, Similane argued, lay in serviced land, affordable housing and informal-settlement upgrading. She also welcomed scrutiny of the Bill and said the public consultation period would be extended to allow further input.

Warnings about unintended consequences

Prof Thuli Madonsela, Director of the Centre for Social Justice, urged government to test the legislation for “hidden unfair distributive impacts”. Using the Centre’s Social Justice Impact Assessment Matrix (SIAM), she warned that provisions aimed at criminal syndicates could also harm poor, landless and homeless people.

“Not all that is made for all is tailored for all,” Madonsela said. She recommended narrowing the criminalisation provisions to target those acting with criminal or commercial intent rather than community organisers and called for pregnancy to be explicitly recognised among vulnerability factors. She also supported mediation, provided mediators were properly selected and trained and funding was available.

Prof Juanita Pienaar, Acting Dean of SU’s Faculty of Law, focused on uncertainty surrounding temporary alternative accommodation. She questioned when courts might grant eviction orders without requiring such accommodation and warned that temporary relocation could leave people moving repeatedly between inadequate settlements.

“Ultimately, we cannot approach PIE in isolation,” Pienaar said, arguing that reform had to form part of a broader approach to providing equitable and effective access to land and affordable housing.

Procedural concerns were raised by Dr Sarah Fick of the University of the Western Cape, including removing court service of eviction notices as a safeguard and imposing time limits on temporary accommodation without specifying what should follow.

Arguing that the amendment Bill was unnecessary and risked weakening constitutional protections Inga Dyantyi, an attorney at Ndifuna Ukwazi, took the strongest position. She said housing shortages, failed land reform and unaffordable urban housing should be addressed at their roots rather than primarily through eviction law.

Public concerns sharpen the debate

Questions from civil society and community representatives echoed these concerns. Participants challenged the adequacy of temporary relocation areas and asked whether municipalities had sufficient resources to provide meaningful alternatives.

The position of communal land under traditional leadership came under scrutiny and concerns were raised whether criminalising organisation around land occupation could undermine legitimate community activism.
Responding, Simelane said the Department was helping municipalities assess informal settlements and find alternatives that avoid homelessness. She said mapped informal settlements had risen from 4 075 to about 4 212 and emphasised that the state’s response was “not necessarily starting from criminalising individuals”.

In closing, Madonsela said the Bill’s intentions were understood, but its possible consequences required further examination. “We may not agree with everything you’ve come up with, but what the colleagues are saying is they note the good intentions. There may however be unintended consequences.”

• Subsequent to the roundtable, the CSJ submitted a policy brief to the Department of Human Settlements with recommendations on how the Amendment Bill can be best improved.

The decision by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to shut down all campuses and student residences following escalating protests has sparked concern among higher education stakeholders, who are calling for urgent dialogue to resolve the crisis.

CPUT announced the closure after an arson attack on the Old Education building at its Bellville campus, amid weeks of student protests over financial exclusion, historical debt, residence costs, and proposed registration requirements for 2027. University management said the safety of students and staff could no longer be guaranteed.

CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said the decision was taken as a last resort following a series of violent incidents on campus.

She added that the institution had reached its highest crisis alert level and that management remained committed to engagement with student leaders.

Kansley further noted that previous incidents had resulted in injuries to staff and students and that the university’s immediate priority was preventing any loss of life.

Student leaders, meanwhile, argue that the protests stem from growing financial pressures facing students. Earlier demonstrations centred on concerns over proposed upfront registration payments, residence fees exceeding NSFAS accommodation caps, and measures related to historical student debt.

The university recently withdrew its draft Financial Recovery Plan following consultation with Council, but unrest has continued despite that concession.

According to Kansley, the withdrawal was intended to allow for broader stakeholder engagement and further consultation on the institution’s financial sustainability plans.

The shutdown has now halted academic activities across CPUT’s campuses, with students instructed to vacate residences and staff directed to work remotely.

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The governance crisis at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) has deepened after Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education formally requested a response from the university’s Council over allegations raised by the Student Representative Council (SRC), while a serving Council member resigned with immediate effect, citing concerns over governance issues at the institution.

The latest developments follow a formal complaint submitted by the UFH SRC to Parliament on 14 August 2026. In a detailed letter, student leaders accused the university’s leadership and Council of governance irregularities, interference in student governance structures, the victimisation of student leaders, the marginalisation of dissenting Council voices and the continued deterioration of student accommodation conditions.

Portfolio Committee Chair Tebogo Letsie has demanded a response from Dr Siyanda Makaula, the University of Fort Hare Council Chairperson, after Student Representative Council alleges governance failures, interference and student welfare neglect.

In the letter, the SRC Secretary General, Lihle Phakophi, said it had “lost confidence in the leadership of the institution” and expressed concern that individuals holding views contrary to those of the Council leadership had been “systematically removed or marginalised”.

The complaint builds on a series of governance concerns that have surfaced at the historic institution in recent years, with tensions increasingly centred on disputes involving Council governance, student representation and executive decision-making.

Among the concerns raised were allegations that university officials interfered in the development of the Student Governance Constitution, ignored duly adopted SRC resolutions, and improperly influenced the process of selecting student representation on the Vice-Chancellor Recruitment Panel. . Phakophi further alleged that constitutionally recognised student structures and processes were bypassed, creating divisions within student governance.

The students also highlighted persistent residence challenges at the Alice campus, including leaking sewage systems, broken windows, inadequate hot water supply, damaged furniture and delayed maintenance responses. According to Phakophi, many of these issues had previously been raised during student protests yet remain unresolved.

According to an academic, the student unhappiness could delay the search for a new vice-chancellor.

Parliament has now entered the fray. In a letter dated 14 August 2026, Letsie confirmed that the committee had received the SRC’s complaint and requested a detailed response from Makaula. The committee specifically referenced allegations relating to governance irregularities, the “purging of Council members with dissenting views”, interference in student governance processes and student welfare concerns.

“The Chairperson of Council is kindly requested to provide a detailed response in respect of the issues raised by the students in the correspondence,” Letsie wrote. The committee requested that the university respond within seven working days.

The parliamentary intervention was followed days later by the resignation of Council member Sathie Gounden, a chartered accountant and chartered director.

In his resignation letter dated 17 August 2026, Gounden announced his immediate departure from Council, saying the decision had been driven by the circumstances facing the institution.

“This decision has not been taken lightly. However, in view of the prevailing circumstances and the various governance-related issues currently facing the University, I believe that it is in my best professional interest to step down from my position,” he wrote.

Gounden further stated: “I have taken this decision in order to protect my professional reputation and to maintain my personal integrity.”

While the resignation letter does not elaborate on specific governance concerns, it comes at a time when allegations of Council divisions and governance instability have moved to the centre of public scrutiny.

Kuselwa Marala, former Interim Chair of Council, and Judy Favish, former Interim Deputy Chair, tendered their resignations on 30 July after being served with disciplinary charges they describe as unjustified, procedurally flawed, and politically influenced. Their departure follows a series of governance flashpoints that ednews.africa has tracked since 30 March, including the suspension of vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu and senior officials, disputed council decisions, and growing concerns about external interference.

Political and governance observers are likely to view Parliament’s intervention and Gounden’s resignation as significant developments in a saga that has increasingly drawn national attention. The outcome of the Portfolio Committee’s inquiry may determine whether further oversight measures or investigations are necessary.

As the university prepares its response to Parliament, attention will now focus on whether UFH Council can address the allegations raised by students and restore confidence in the institution’s governance structures. With a Council member stepping down and Parliament seeking explanations, pressure is mounting on university leadership to demonstrate transparency and accountability.

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The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), Professor Pamela Dube, has formally notified Council of her intention to take early retirement at the end of the year.

In a letter dated 31 July 2026, addressed to the Council Chairperson, Prof. Rajesh Mahabeer, Prof. Dube indicated that her retirement would take effect on 31 December 2026.

She wrote that ongoing medical issues had “impacted my productivity and ability to perform my duties at full capacity,” prompting her decision to step down earlier than planned.

CUT had been without a permanent vice-chancellor for 18 months before Prof. Dube stepped into the role, which she described in January 2023 as the “beginning of a new dawn, a new journey”.

She thanked the council for trusting her with the role of first woman vice-chancellor and principal.

But her early retirement comes at a time when universities across South Africa are grappling with complex governance, financial and academic pressures, challenges that have increasingly taken a toll on institutional leaders - and staff.

Three staff members died at the University of South Africa (UNISA) between 11 June and 19 June amid claims of burnout over the axing of 5000 markers, putting pressure on academics to spend more time marking assignments than teaching.

The higher education sector is still processing the recent death of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tandi Matsha-Erasmus, who passed away in June after intense pressure in the role. Her tenure had been marked by intense institutional strain, governance instability and sustained council pressure, prompting renewed debate about the wellbeing of University executives and staff.

While Prof. Dube’s circumstances differ, her decision adds to growing concern about the cumulative demands placed on vice-chancellors as they navigate volatile, politically charged and resource-constrained environments.

The timing of her departure, announced midway through National Women’s Month, is not lost on many, potentially reducing the number of women in charge of universities in South Africa.

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Yusuf Cassim, visited the campus earlier this week to address delays in payments from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to students. He was seemingly unaware of the vice-chancellor’s plans.

Prof. Dube: “A sensitive matter requiring careful handling”

When approached for comment, Prof. Dube said her matter is before the Council, which is scheduled to meet this week, and that no formal communication has yet been issued to the CUT community.

This morning, the Council informed the university community of Prof. Dube's decision to take early retirement, with effect from 31 December 2026.

“Council has accepted the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s decision, and expresses its appreciation to Prof. Dube for her leadership, commitment and contribution to the university during her tenure.”

In its statement, the Council said Prof. Dube’s tenure has been characterised by visionary leadership, resilience and a steadfast pursuit of institutional excellence.

“Under her leadership, CUT has strengthened its academic and research profile, expanded strategic partnerships, fostered a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, advanced student success, and accelerated the implementation of Vision 2030, positioning the university for greater national and global impact.”

Reflecting on her journey, Prof. Dube described it as a privilege to serve and lead CUT. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the university council, executive management team, staff, students, alumni and the broader university community for their trust, collaboration, and support throughout her tenure. She also reaffirmed that although she will be stepping down from her role, she will continue to support CUT's success and the higher education sector.

In accordance with the CUT Statute, Council will consider the governance implications of the Vice-Chancellor’s notice, including acting arrangements, and the process to be followed in respect of the leadership transition to preserve business continuity, sustain strategic momentum and minimise disruption to the university’s operations.

“On behalf of the university, we extend our sincere appreciation to Prof. Pamela Dube for her dedicated service, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of CUT. We thank her for the significant role she has played in shaping the university’s strategic vision and strengthening its position within the higher education sector. We wish her every success in her future endeavours and look forward to maintaining a positive and enduring relationship with her.”

The university community will be kept informed of significant developments as the process unfolds

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The Central University of Technology (CUT) has committed to begin paying accommodation allowances directly to the 1392 affected students at the Welkom Campus, with the administrative process starting immediately.

Many students still have outstanding allowances despite the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) assurances that the issue would be resolved.

The new commitment follows yesterday’s visit by Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Training, Yusuf Cassim, to CUT’s Welkom Campus, where he met affected students and management. Deputy Minister Cassim stressed the urgency of the situation and emphasised that it was concerning for students to face eviction due to these continuous delays.

About 1 392 students at Welkom are in unaccredited accommodation and have gone without allowances since the beginning of the year. Deputy Minister Cassim then raised the CUT issue with NSFAS Administrator Prof. Hlengani Mathebula during a meeting on 14 July 2026 in Cape Town. Subsequently, a delegation visited CUT to assess the situation, and a payment plan was agreed and communicated.

However, students have since been subjected to further bureaucratic processes, resulting in only 260 confirmed allowance payments and leaving most students in an impossible position.

Giving direction and a way forward, the Deputy Minister requested that there should be no further delays and read out the NSFAS letter authorising payments directly to affected students.

“What the letter says: ‘NSFAS hereby approves the requested deviation for the 2026 academic year only, allowing affected students to remain in accommodation and receive an accommodation allowance of R2 500 per student per month.’ The allowance is payable to the students, as per NSFAS’s deviation approval letter.

The letter further directs the institution to continue ensuring that students in both credited and unaccredited accommodation reside in conditions that are conducive to academic success,” said Deputy Minister Cassim.

The Deputy Minister urged the institution to pay the allowances directly, as it already holds the relevant student data and banking details. This is the most efficient approach, added Deputy Minister Cassim.

The vice-chancellor committed to ensuring the allowances are paid directly to students as quickly as possible.

Further, students at the Bloemfontein campus reported concerns about accredited accommodation in poor condition, with some located near nightlife and drinking establishments.

The Deputy Minister requested that these matters be included in a report on the suitability and quality of accredited student accommodation to be sent to his office and the student accommodation section of NSFAS for further investigation.

Cassim called on the SRCs of both campuses to build constructive relations with the CUT management so that they can work together to resolve institutional matters.

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A doctoral study by the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Lwazi Ncoliwe has reframed the long-running public debate on township spaza shops.

Rather than treating the sector as a story of foreign takeover or state failure, the study argues that what distinguishes business survival is not the owner’s nationality, but the presence or absence of trust among owners, between owners and customers, and between traders and institutions meant to support them.

The study is titled “The experiences of South African and Somali Spaza shop owners operating in Orlando West, Soweto: Lessons for local entrepreneurship in economically deprived areas”.

Over seven months, Ncoliwe immersed himself in Orlando West through observations and semi-structured interviews with 10 spaza owners – five South African, five Somali – plus six local customers and four wholesalers. Stock-purchasing trips to suppliers revealed ethnically divergent procurement logics which surveys often miss: Somalis buying in bulk through networks, South African owners arriving solo at smaller margins.

Ncoliwe, who will graduate with a PhD in Management Studies on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, found that insecurity in spaza shops is rooted in a broader crisis of state failure affecting both South African and migrant owners.

“The question many South Africans have been asking about township spaza shops – why foreigners are taking over – is built on the wrong premise,” said Ncoliwe.

“My research is more nuanced than a story of displacement: it shows how trust becomes a business’s operating system, and how its absence, particularly among many South African-owned shops, results in a far more fragile form of survival.”

Previous research has attributed Somali shop owners’ success to ethnic-based social capital, including bulk purchasing and informal lending among fellow traders. Ncoliwe’s study confirms these practices but argues their success extends beyond existing scholarship.

As one Somali shop owner explained: “We do not see each other as competitors, but as partners. When one of us wants to open a new shop, the group offers advice and, in some cases, even stock.” However, the study found that this culture of trust extends beyond business relationships and does not stop at the shop counter. During periods of unrest, residents in Orlando West physically defended Somali-owned shops, viewing the owners as neighbours first and foreigners second. Ncoliwe described this outward-facing trust as “ubuntu solidarity under shared precarity” – a form of community protection emerging without effective state protection.

His study argues the Somali shop owners’ success is rooted in strong ethnic networks and broader relationships of trust built within the communities they serve. The most uncomfortable finding in the study concerns South African owners. Where Somalis operate as partners, calling one another when prices change and pooling stock through trips to wholesalers, South African owners were found to operate in a fragmented landscape marked by jealousy, secrecy and what the thesis termed a “culture of suspicion”.

The thesis identified a paradox in this finding: rather than fostering solidarity, South African owners’ shared identity as Black South Africans with the local community fostered jealousy and distrust.

This was one of the study's counterintuitive results: identity alone does not guarantee cooperation. Ncoliwe argues that policy calling on South African owners to work together is insufficient, because it does not address the systemic and social barriers incentivising individualistic survival strategies.

The thesis documented structural failures that shape every shop in Orlando West: licensing delays, food-safety absence, unreadable labels, missing expiry dates, and poor storage; and loadshedding of 6–8 hours a day, forcing closure or halts to refrigerated sales because alternative power was unaffordable.

The thesis states these failures are one layer of balanced marginalisation, not the whole phenomenon. South African owners are pushed to the margins by financial exclusion, fragmented practice and the absence of state-built cooperative infrastructure. Somali owners are pushed to the margins through exclusion from financial protection despite living and working in South Africa for many years, and elevated physical risk. Xenophobia intensifies this asymmetry, but the thesis argues it is a symptom of deeper structural absence – not its cause.

Ncoliwe’s policy message is not to absolve the government – only to understand its absence as one component of the picture, not the whole diagnosis. “Policymakers must move beyond economic analyses that treat spaza shops as homogenous survivalist units.”

He said owners operate within three logics: collectivist ethnic-cooperative, individualistic survivalist and embedded community-care; and any policy anchored to one model will underserve others.

“Importantly, government is not neutral in this sector: its absence is producing the insecurity its presence could prevent. The findings require a shift in policy design.”

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The University of Cape Town’s governance tensions moved into sharper focus this week as Council Chair Norman Arendse SC issued a detailed communication addressing the legal proceedings initiated by Vice‑Chancellor (VC) Professor Mosa Moshabela. The statement, sent to staff and students, seeks to steady the institution amid rising public speculation and concern.

Arendse emphasised that UCT’s founding values — integrity, fairness, accountability, academic freedom and respect for dignity — remain central as Council navigates what he described as “difficult and sensitive issues.” While employment matters and litigation are ordinarily confidential, he said recent public assertions risked creating an incomplete picture of Council’s actions.

Ombud’s independence at the centre of dispute

A significant portion of the statement focused on the Office of the Ombud, whose independence and confidentiality Arendse stressed are “fundamental to its proper functioning.” Staff and students must be able to approach the Ombud without fear that their identities or concerns will be disclosed.

When serious concerns involving the VC were brought to the Ombud, Arendse said he was alerted only to their existence and seriousness, not the identities of those involved. He then sought independent legal advice before informing Council and the VC. The subsequent process, he said, was designed to ensure fairness, confidentiality and independence.

Council’s role: protect the institution, not individuals

Arendse reiterated that Council’s responsibility is to act “in the best interests of the university,” neither shielding leaders from scrutiny nor assuming wrongdoing. He cautioned that responding to serious concerns should not be interpreted as Council having predetermined their truth.

The events of recent months involve difficult and sensitive issues. They concern individuals, but they also concern something larger: the ability of the university’s governance structures to discharge their responsibilities independently, fairly and without fear or favour.

“Council’s responsibility is neither to shield any individual office-bearer from legitimate scrutiny nor to assume wrongdoing merely because an allegation has been made.

Its responsibility is to act in the best interests of the university,” he wrote.

Next steps: special meeting on 15 August

With litigation now underway, Council will limit public comment and consider its next steps at a special meeting on 15 August 2026.

Arendse appealed to the UCT community to avoid speculation or circulating untested allegations, urging collective responsibility to protect the university’s people, processes and reputation.

“UCT’s reputation has been built over generations,” he wrote, “and depends upon the integrity of its governance institutions.”

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South Africa’s push to tackle youth unemployment took a major step forward on Friday as the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, launched the Services SETA 20,000 Internships Programme — To the PowerX² — at the Mahikeng Hotel School.

Backed by R2.9 billion, the initiative will place university and TVET graduates into 24‑month structured workplace learning, with the goal of turning qualifications into employment.

Speaking to employers, labour, universities, colleges and hundreds of young people, Manamela said the programme must be judged by one simple measure: “Does this programme take a young person who has completed a qualification, place them in real work under proper supervision, and move them into employment or enterprise?”

Everything else, he said, is secondary.

The Minister highlighted the scale of the crisis: 21 million young people, only 5.6 million employed, and youth unemployment at 60.9% among 15–24‑year‑olds. “That scale cannot be answered by another conference, another database nobody uses, or another round of enrolments into programmes that lead nowhere,” he said. “It requires workplaces and employers.”

A National Call to Employers

The programme aims to mobilise 3,000 employers across the country, with the first 1,000 placement‑ready graduates already made available to provincial governments. Manamela stressed that employers must become co‑producers of skills, not passive recipients.

“A business that complains about skills shortages but does not train, mentor or recruit is not helping to resolve the problem,” he said. “Government has invested in educating these young people. Services SETA has made the financial commitment. The graduates are ready. What remains is whether South African employers are ready to open their doors.”

He warned against superficial placements: “A young person must leave with more than a line on a CV. Employers must provide meaningful work, not leave them to make tea or photocopy documents.”

A Skills Revolution

Manamela tied the programme to President Ramaphosa’s call for a Skills Revolution, emphasising both digital and technical trades. “Not every young person must work behind a laptop,” he said. “South Africa needs plumbers, electricians, welders, mechanics and technicians. No skill is lower class if it builds the economy.”

Accountability and Transparency

The Minister announced strict implementation deadlines:

• 30 days: verified schedule, employer pipeline, provincial allocations

• 60 days: matching and placement underway

• 90 days: public dashboard showing real placements, stipends, mentors and employer participation

He insisted on strong financial controls to prevent “ghost placements, unsuitable workplaces, delayed stipends, and employers drawing public money without providing training.”

Opening the Door

To young graduates, Manamela offered encouragement: “The opportunity opens the door; what you do once inside it also matters.” But he stressed that government must ensure the door exists — and exists everywhere. “The graduate in Mahikeng, Lusikisiki, Thohoyandou or Upington must have the same opportunity.”

As the programme rolls out nationwide, its success will depend on whether employers step forward. “Experience is multiplied when one employer opens ten, twenty or a hundred opportunities,” Manamela said. “Impact is magnified when a placement becomes competence, and competence becomes employment.”

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For decades, global university rankings have shaped perceptions of institutional visibility, performance and accountability. Yet many of these systems fail to fully reflect the diversity of missions, priorities and contributions that define higher education across Africa.

This is not an African problem alone. Around the world, universities are re‑evaluating what excellence means in an era where societal impact, sustainability, innovation, graduate outcomes and public value are becoming equally important indicators of success.

Africa now has an opportunity not only to participate in this global rethink, but to help shape it.

A New Chapter: The All‑Africa Rankings Initiative

The University of Cape Town (UCT), in partnership with Applied Higher Education (AppliedHE), has launched the All‑Africa Rankings Initiative—a long‑term continental effort to co‑create an African‑informed framework for recognising excellence across public and private higher education institutions.

Importantly, this initiative does not begin with rankings.
It begins with listening.

It starts with a fundamental question:

What should excellence in African fourth‑generation universities look like in the 21st century?

Any single institution or country cannot determine the answer. It must be shaped collectively by university leaders, governments, industry, policymakers, researchers and communities across the continent.

Said Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela: “Our objective is not simply to determine who ranks first. It is to ask a far more important question: what kind of university does Africa need for tomorrow, and how do we measure what matters most?”

He said the initiative is not about replacing existing rankings, nor is it about creating different standards for Africa. Rather, it is about helping shape globally benchmarked measures that are also contextually relevant, while ensuring African perspectives contribute meaningfully to the future evolution of higher education worldwide.

“We believe that the universities with the greatest impact in the decades ahead will be those that combine academic excellence with societal relevance; global engagement with local responsiveness; innovation with inclusion; entrepreneurial thinking with sustainable development; and knowledge creation with human flourishing,” Moshabela added.

The inaugural All‑Africa Higher Education Xchange, co‑hosted from 31 August to 1 September 2026, will mark the first step in this journey.

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Following allegations levelled against the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Venda, Minister Buti Manamela met with the university’s Executive Management and Council on 5 June 2026.

The allegations, contained in anonymous letters, related to the Vice-Chancellor and the Chief Operating Officer and contributed to strained relations within the university, including threats of suspension and subsequent litigation.

The meeting with the Minister was convened to discuss these developments and the broader governance challenges arising from the allegations.

The meeting concluded with a resolution that the parties would resolve the matters through the University’s governance structures, rather than through continued litigation, and that the Council would report back to the Minister on progress made.

Regrettably, the matters have not been resolved and have instead escalated. Recent developments, including reports relating to the precautionary suspension of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, as well as the Chief Operations Officer, have raised serious concerns regarding governance, leadership and institutional stability.

Minister Manamela expressed his deep concern about these developments, which have implications for the effective functioning of the University and, most importantly, the academic project.

“The continued instability risks undermining the University’s ability to fulfil its mandate of providing quality teaching and learning as the university,” said Minister Manamela.

In light of the seriousness of the situation, and in order to prevent any further deterioration of governance at the institution, the Minister used a governance instrument available to him under section 44(1) of the Higher Education Act, by notifying the University Council of his intention to appoint an Independent Assessor at the university.

Should the Independent Assessor be appointed, they will investigate among other things, the various allegations levelled against the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, the current state of governance at the University as well as the functioning and effectiveness of the University’s governance and executive management structures.

In accordance with the Higher Education Act, the University Council has been afforded 14 days within which to make representations to the Minister regarding his intention to appoint an Independent Assessor.

The Minister has appealed to the media and the public to allow the statutory process to unfold without interference or undue speculation. The appointment of an Independent Assessor is a legislated governance mechanism intended to establish the facts and make recommendations that will enable the University to restore stability and strengthen institutional governance.

Minister Manamela wishes to reaffirm his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the academic project at the University of Venda. He further assures students, staff and all stakeholders that the Department of Higher Education and Training will continue to support the institution to ensure that its core academic and administrative functions continue without disruption during this process.

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Hippopotami are known to be unpredictable and dangerous. While their bites are infrequent, they are deadly, partly due to complex bacteria in their mouths that are resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics.

The calm demeanour of a hippopotamus wading through water, its disproportionately tiny ears just peeking out, has cemented its stereotype as a comical river dweller. Yet its reputation among local communities tells a darker, more sobering tale.

Unlike crocodiles, which are feared for their stealth and aquatic ambushes, hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibius) present a dual threat – they are equally dangerous on land and in water. With their powerful jaws and long, razor-sharp canine teeth, they are capable of inflicting grievous wounds. For those who survive an attack, however, the danger doesn’t end with the bite.

Until recently, little was known about the bacteria that live in the mouths of these formidable creatures. But a groundbreaking, novel study led by Professor Anita Michel of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria (UP) has illuminated a new layer of risk.

“We knew the injuries were extraordinary, especially with the exceptional biting force hippos possess,” she explains, “but we didn’t fully understand the link between the microbes and the severe complications from wound infections that clinicians have to deal with.”

Prof Michel and her team – which included UP veterinary specialist bacteriologist Dr Annelize Jonker and Francois Roux, an ecologist from the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency – examined the oral bacteria of 34 healthy hippopotami captured during routine wildlife operations in the Mpumalanga province. What they discovered was a complex bacterial community: 41 different species, many of them typically found in aquatic environments and capable of causing opportunistic infections in humans.

“This was the first time that anyone has systematically studied the bacterial flora of hippos’ mouths,” Prof Michel says. “And what we found was concerning – not just the types of bacteria, but their resistance to some of the most commonly used antibiotics.”

The team tested the bacteria against a panel of antibiotic drugs and found moderate to high resistance to commonly prescribed treatments like amoxicillin/clavulanate and early-generation cephalosporins. These are staples in emergency medicine, especially for bite wounds from dogs and cats.

But as Prof Michel points out, “using these standard antibiotics for a hippo bite may delay effective treatment and allow infections to take hold”. Conversely, the study revealed that antibiotics from the tetracycline, aminoglycoside and quinolone families were more effective, offering a potential lifeline in future cases. Yet even with these options, time remains a critical factor. The researchers strongly recommend that wound cultures be taken as early as possible to identify the exact pathogens involved to ensure the best outcome for the patient admitted to a hospital.

“It is critically important that wound infections, whether in animals or humans, are treated early with an effective antibiotic regimen aligned with the expected causative infectious agents,” Prof Michel says.

The implications of this study extend beyond individual injuries. It offers a stark reminder that antibiotic resistance is not just a clinical or hospital issue; it is a wildlife issue too, shaped by ecosystems, species interactions and the limits of human preparedness.

“Our goal is to take a One Health approach with healthcare providers in regions where humans and wildlife intersect to ensure that they are not caught off guard,” Prof Michel says. “When you’re dealing with a hippo bite, minutes matter – and so does the right antibiotic.”

Why this research matters

The common hippopotamus occurs in rivers, lakes and wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa, and is known for its aggressive behaviour when defending its territory and its young. Their bites can be deadly – they kill about 500 people in Africa each year, more than twice the body count for lions. This groundbreaking study underscores the need for early treatment of bite wounds and highlights which antibiotics are most effective.

Fast Facts

• A hippopotamus’s bite force is about 8 100 Newtons, roughly the weight of a large grand piano or a small car.

• Hippopotami are one of the world’s deadliest mammals, even more deadly than a lion or bear.

• The word “hippopotamus” is Greek for “river horse”.

• 41 different species of bacteria are found in a hippopotamus’s mouth.

• A hippopotamus’s mouth is 0.6m wide but 1.5m wide when fully open.

• They have 36 teeth that are 40cm long for incisors and 50cm or more for canines

Professor Anita Michel of the Faculty of Veterinary Science and UP veterinary specialist bacteriologist Dr Annelize Jonker wrote this article.

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KIGALI, RWANDA – The Mastercard Foundation today announced the launch of the Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize, a first-of-its-kind annual award, supported by a USD 500 million commitment over its first decade. The AHEFT Prize recognizes higher education institutions in Africa that are driving sustained, systemic institution-wide transformation and expanding opportunities for young people.

The Prize’s inaugural winning institutions are Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia); the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering, (Burkina Faso); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, (Ghana); Muni University (Uganda); and the University of Rwanda, (Rwanda). Each recipient will receive USD 3 million to scale transformative work, through initiatives agreed with each institution to advance education opportunities for young people in Africa.

“For twenty years we have seen African institutions rethink what higher education can deliver. The AHEFT Prize turns that proof into momentum: we are backing homegrown excellence with a decade-long commitment, so that universities across the continent become engines of opportunity for millions of young people,” said Sewit Ahderom, President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation, below.

The 2026 AHEFT Prize Laureates

1. Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia

Category: Excellence in Research and Innovation

Recognized for its ability to align research with national priorities, strengthen workforce development, and connect scientific knowledge directly to economic opportunity, public services, and community wellbeing. AAU’s integration with Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, which serves approximately 884,000 patients annually, enables large-scale clinical training, research, and service delivery.

2. International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), Burkina Faso

Category: Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Recognized for innovation in practice-based engineering and technical education and demonstrating how hands-on, problem-driven learning can produce highly employable graduates. Established by 16 African countries operating in the Sahel region, 2iE has trained more than 13,000 graduates with 70 percent securing employment within 12 months of graduation and more than 95 percent remaining and working in Africa in sectors including water, climate, energy, and infrastructure.

3. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana

Category: Excellence in Research and Innovation

Recognized for building one of Africa’s leading research-to-innovation ecosystems. Through platforms such as the Kumasi Business Incubator, Innovation Centre, and Technology Consultancy Centre, KNUST translates research into startups, industry solutions, and public impact, demonstrating how science, technology, and entrepreneurship can drive economic transformation and job creation.

4. Muni University (MU), Uganda

Category: Transitions to Employment

Recognized for creating effective pathways from education to employment for refugees and underserved youth. Through its Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment and Transformation Initiative (RETI), the university has enabled up to 70 percent of participants to secure employment within three months of completing the program.

5. University of Rwanda (UR), Rwanda

Sector: Excellence in Health

Recognized for its pivotal role in strengthening Rwanda’s health system and health workforce by training more than 26,000 health professionals. Its community-based training model reaches nearly 500,000 people through clinical placements, outreach programs, and university health services. Today, the University of Rwanda has evolved into a regional leader in digital health, vaccinology, biomedical engineering, and health systems innovation.

The AHEFT Prize recognizes institutions delivering transformational impact across thematic categories including Teaching and Learning, Transitions to Employment, Research and Innovation, and Entrepreneurship or within priority sectors including Climate and Environment, Agriculture and Agri-food Systems, Health, and STEM/Digital/Artificial Intelligence. Over the next decade, the Prize will recognize and award at least 150 institutions in Africa.

“This is the moment to reimagine what higher education institutions can do as engines of human capital development – not only as a place of learning, but as a direct route to work, to economic participation, and to a better future for young people across Africa’’– Dr. John Nkengasong, Executive Director, Higher Education Initiatives, Mastercard Foundation, below.

The winning institutions will be awarded at the Higher Education Transformation Convening to be held in Accra, Ghana, on September 22, 2026.

The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity, one of the largest foundations in the world, and the leading funder of education in Africa. It works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work.

To learn more about the AHEFT Prize, the inaugural cohort, and eligibility for future cycles, visit Africa Higher Education For | Mastercard Foundation.

© Higher Education Media Services.

Wits has honoured Prof. Kubedi Patrick Mokhobo, a medical pioneer and southern Africa’s first Black cardiologist, with an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine.

The degree was conferred at the Faculty of Health Sciences’ graduation ceremony on 15 July 2026, which also included graduates receiving advanced degrees in health sciences.

The 94-year-old received a standing ovation as he crossed the stage in the Great Hall, with four generations of the Mokhobo family watching from the audience.

Reflecting on the honour, Mokhobo, who was the only Black student in his Wits class in 1953, said: “The English language, and indeed my own mother tongue, Setswana, are too limited to express the honour and gratitude that I really feel.”

His journey began in humble circumstances. Having started school at the age of 10, he pursued his education under apartheid, when Black South Africans faced severe restrictions on educational opportunities and even required government permission to study at white universities.

Despite these barriers, Mokhobo became the first Black registrar in paediatrics and internal medicine. In 1966, he became the first Black doctor to pass the prestigious Medical Fellowship examinations. Two years later, he wrote and passed the British Specialist Examination in the United Kingdom. His groundbreaking career culminated in his recognition as southern Africa’s first Black cardiologist in 1973.

Alongside his medical practices in Daveyton in Benoni, he became a founding member of the Pan Africanist Congress. His influence extended well beyond South Africa. As the first medical specialist in Eswatini and a founding figure of Lesotho’s medical institutions, he helped establish professional bodies, medical journals including the Lesotho Medical Journal and medical congresses that strengthened healthcare across the region.

He later served as Minister of Health in the former Bophuthatswana, where he championed community-based healthcare, expanded the role of nurses as clinicians and helped decentralise health services to reach underserved communities.

As an academic, Mokhobo shaped generations of medical professionals across several countries and contributed to the development of medical curricula and training programmes.

His remarkable life story is captured in his autobiography, From Nowhere to Somewhere: An Uncharted Destiny.

In an acceptance speech read by his granddaughter, Nonceba Nyoko, he encouraged graduates to use their knowledge in service of society.

“Your generation is destined to succeed in both exciting and challenging times. As we celebrate your achievements today, the future of our nation, our country and indeed the world rests on your shoulders.”

While urging graduates to pursue opportunities around the world, he reminded them to return home and use their skills to strengthen South Africa.

He concluded with a powerful reminder that their “destinies are inextricably tied to the future of Africa.”

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Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Yusuf Cassim, has stepped in to directly assist students grappling with delays and frustrations at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

His intervention has already led to immediate action, with NSFAS teams deployed to resolve outstanding allowance payments at the Central University of Technology (CUT).

The engagement took place on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, in Cape Town, where Cassim met with NSFAS Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula and senior officials.

The Deputy Minister placed pressing student concerns on the table, many of which had been received through his Helpdesk and during his oversight visit to UNISA the previous week.

One of the most urgent issues raised was the delay in GAP investigations, which verify student registration, enrolment, accommodation, and academic results to prevent fraud. Cassim expressed concern that students were waiting up to five months for answers, leaving them unable to continue their studies.

“It is unacceptable for students to wait more than three months without clarity while their education and livelihoods are at stake,” he said.

NSFAS confirmed that 4,138 students remain under investigation due to missing academic data from institutions, while 2,361 cases have already been processed and funding restored.

Cassim requested a list of affected students per institution and instructed the Department’s University branch to assist NSFAS in obtaining the required data to expedite the process.

NSFAS committed to finalising 1,515 UNISA GAP cases by Friday, 17 July, and addressing over 400 Nelson Mandela University students on extended programmes.

Concerns Over Second Semester Admissions

The Deputy Minister also raised alarm over NSFAS’s lack of commitment regarding funding for students registering for the second semester, which begins next week.

NSFAS indicated that a funding submission is being finalised due to a deficit, but Cassim expressed displeasure at the delay and vowed to follow up to ensure students are not left stranded.

Cassim highlighted concerns about NSFAS’s monthly payment schedule, noting that funds are transferred about a week after the start of each month, leaving institutions with limited time to process payments.

He appealed for adjustments to ensure allowances, such as UNISA’s R316 Personal Care Allowance, arrive on time. NSFAS acknowledged the concern and promised to provide feedback.

Both parties also discussed broader policy issues, including the insufficiency of the Personal Care Allowance and the need to review the value and types of allowances available. Cassim noted that the ongoing NSFAS policy review and the imminent review of the NSFAS Act present opportunities to address these matters.

Cassim raised concerns about the lengthy appeals process, with NSFAS confirming that appeals will now be handled directly by institutions following the appointment of the Administrator. The Deputy Minister committed to monitoring this function closely to ensure students receive timely resolutions.

He also visited the NSFAS call centre, where he found that many student queries took months to resolve. “It’s important that we improve our response rate to student queries at all times,” Cassim said. He pledged to ensure his Helpdesk works closely with NSFAS to assist students more effectively.

Immediate Action and Reassurance

Following the meeting, NSFAS deployed teams to CUT to address allowance delays for students in non-accredited accommodation. Cassim welcomed this immediate intervention, describing it as a sign of responsiveness. NSFAS further reassured him that there are no outstanding allowances, including those for TVET students.

Cassim confirmed that his office will continue forwarding individual cases received via the Helpdesk to NSFAS for resolution. “My office is available to assist NSFAS in improving its services where it can,” he said, urging the Administrator to support officials committed to making a positive contribution.

The Deputy Minister’s intervention marks a significant step in addressing long-standing frustrations faced by students dependent on NSFAS. By placing student concerns at the centre of discussions and demanding accountability, Cassim has signaled a commitment to building a more responsive higher education system.

For thousands of students awaiting allowances, GAP investigation outcomes, or second semester registration, his actions have provided hope that government is listening - and acting.

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South Africa’s newly-appointed Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training has pledged to build a post-school education system that is more responsive to the needs of students, describing his role as “deeply personal” and rooted in a lifelong belief that education is the pathway to dignity and opportunity.

Speaking the National Press Club in Pretoria, DM Yusuf Cassim outlined a leadership philosophy centered on listening, acting with urgency, and removing barriers that prevent students from succeeding.

“Talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” he said, recalling how his father’s sacrifices and limited opportunities under apartheid shaped his own commitment to expanding access to education.

Cassim emphasised that higher education is not simply another government function, but a portfolio that touches the hopes of millions. He argued that freedom must be given practical meaning through education and skills development.

“Higher education is where freedom becomes opportunity, and where opportunity becomes dignity,” he said.

Since taking office on 1 July, he has focused on listening to students through platforms such as the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, oversight visits, and direct engagement with institutions.

During a recent visit to UNISA, more than 400 students responded to his call for feedback, raising concerns about delayed allowances, unresolved funding queries, and accommodation challenges.

“Students experience government as one system,” he noted. “When an allowance is delayed or an appeal remains unresolved, they experience government. Students simply want government to respond.”

With more than 1.24 million students relying on NSFAS for funding, Cassim acknowledged the scheme’s critical role in bridging the gap between poverty and opportunity. He highlighted concerns about delays in resolving GAP funding investigations, call centre responsiveness, and coordination between NSFAS and institutions.

“These may sound like administrative matters, but to a student they are deeply personal - determining whether they can register, eat, have transport or accommodation, or continue their studies,” he said.

He welcomed commitments from NSFAS Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula to accelerate progress, but stressed that responsiveness must become the defining standard of success.

One initiative he singled out was the digitisation of the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, inherited from his predecessor Dr Mimmy Gondwe. Working with partners such as MICT SETA, the Helpdesk is being transformed into a faster, more accessible platform. More importantly, he said, it should serve as government’s “listening post,” identifying systemic challenges and informing policy.

“Good government begins by listening,” he added.

Cassim also addressed the Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racial prejudice he faced following his appointment. He reflected on his upbringing in Kariega, where his family lived in a community classified under apartheid’s racial laws, and where he grew up alongside friends from diverse backgrounds.

“South Africa’s diversity is not something to fear,” he said. “Our shared humanity is always greater than the labels others seek to place upon us. Leadership carries a responsibility not to deepen divisions, but to build bridges.”

He rejected attempts to pit communities against one another, insisting that South Africa’s future depends on recognising shared prosperity and success.

Throughout his address, Cassim returned to the theme of student advocacy. As a former SRC President at Nelson Mandela University, he recalled initiatives to improve transport, establish a student bailout fund, and create prayer facilities. Those experiences, he said, taught him that leadership is measured not by position, but by whether lives are improved.

“I am not here to cut ribbons,” he concluded. “I am here to stand with students, to push student issues, and to ensure they remain at the centre of everything we do. If, at the end of my tenure, students can honestly say that government became easier to reach, quicker to respond, and more committed to removing barriers, then I will consider my service worthwhile.”

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Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Yusuf Cassim’s first public engagement at Unisa’s Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria on Thursday is a significant moment, especially given the ongoing challenges with NSFAS, students accommodation, living and data allowances.

The newly-elected DP’s decision to meet directly with student leaders and management shows a clear intent to get firsthand insight into the delays and the impact of scrapping data allowances for distance-learning students.

The Department of Higher Education and Training said in a statement that Cassim’s visit follows numerous student complaints received through the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk regarding delays in NSFAS allowance payments and the discontinuation of data allowances.

“Deputy Minister Cassim remains committed to the DM’s Helpdesk, established by his predecessor, Dr Mimmy Gondwe. The Helpdesk serves as a ‘helping hand’, providing swift and personalised support to students by escalating queries and grievances and driving meaningful solutions.

“During the visit, the Deputy Minister will meet student leaders and Unisa management to assess mixed reports on the causes of delays in the payment of NSFAS allowances and the impact of scrapping the data allowance for distance-learning students”.

Cassim has long championed student access and success in higher education, dating back to his student leadership days. Hence, his first public engagement is to gain a firsthand understanding of the NSFAS allowances issue and the measures taken to address the challenges effectively.

He has also committed to digitising the Helpdesk into an online platform to enable student support to be accessible, faster.

Over the years students have reported mixed experiences regarding NSFAS, with some receiving payments late or inconsistently. Cassim’s visit aims to clarify the root causes.

And for Unisa’s distance-learning students, losing data support is particularly disruptive especially for poor students, as online access is essential for their studies.

The Unisa visit is not just symbolic - it’s a test of whether the new Deputy Minister can translate student concerns into actionable policy changes.

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The University of Pretoria (UP) has officially launched the Degrees Delivered campaign, a three-year fundraising initiative that aims to unlock opportunities for graduates whose qualifications remain inaccessible because of outstanding historical student debt.

The campaign seeks to raise R50 million between 2026 and 2028 to help clear historical debt for qualifying graduates, allowing them to access their degree certificates and pursue employment, professional registration or further study.

Although these graduates have successfully completed their academic requirements, financial constraints continue to prevent them from receiving the qualifications they have earned.

“The Degrees Delivered campaign addresses a simple but deeply painful reality,” said UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen. “We have graduates who have completed everything required for their qualifications. They have studied, passed, and earned their degrees, but they cannot receive their degree certificates because of outstanding historical debt.”

The campaign forms part of UP’s Thrive UP 2038 strategy, which seeks to build a human-centred university by developing future-fit graduates and creating meaningful societal impact.

Unlike many fundraising initiatives that support future projects, Degrees Delivered delivers immediate and measurable outcomes. Every contribution helps remove the final financial barrier standing between a graduate and their qualification, opening the door to employment opportunities, postgraduate study and professional registration.

The campaign benefits graduates across all faculties who are seeking to access their first undergraduate qualification. Qualifying recipients will be identified and contacted by the University.

Funding will be allocated through a robust assessment process that considers socio-economic factors and other predetermined criteria to ensure support reaches graduates with the greatest demonstrated need.

Prof Petersen said the campaign represents a collective investment in people – and in South Africa’s future. “Today, I am making a personal pledge of financial support to both the Degrees Delivered campaign and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s Scholarship Fund,” he said.

“And I invite our partners in business, our alumni, our staff, and our wider community to join us. Because when we act together, we do more than fund education. We change lives and futures.”

UP staff will also lead by example through a staff payroll giving initiative, providing employees with an opportunity to make regular monthly contributions towards helping graduates access the qualifications they have already earned.

The campaign has already begun building momentum. In June, the UP Comrades Marathon fundraising initiative raised more than R106 000 through the support of more than 225 donors.

The next fundraising initiative will take place on 23 July, when the University hosts an exclusive alumni wine-tasting and gourmet dining evening in partnership with Zoetendal Vineyards. Proceeds from the event, including ticket sales and funds raised through an auction, will contribute directly to the Degrees Delivered campaign.

Prof Petersen said every contribution, regardless of its size, helps create lasting impact. “No graduate should be held back at the finish line. And no capable student should be left behind at the starting line.”

UP welcomes support from alumni, businesses, organisations and members of the public who share the University’s commitment to expanding access to opportunity through higher education.

Make a donation now.

To find out more about the Degrees Delivered campaign, contact the Department of Institutional Advancement at giving@up.ac.za.

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