The University of South Africa (UNISA) is facing mounting scrutiny after trade union Solidarity, representing more than 400 employees at the institution, issued an urgent call for intervention over what it describes as “unsustainable and dangerous” working conditions.
In an open letter to Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela, Solidarity CEO Dirk Herman has demanded the appointment of an independent assessment panel to investigate the crisis, citing widespread burnout, early retirements, and a climate of fear among staff.
The letter follows a series of investigative articles published by ednews.africa, which revealed that three UNISA employees had allegedly died from illness linked to stress and burnout.
UNISA has denied the allegations and rather than respond to specific questions it sought to gag the publication by seeking to interdict ednews.africa from publishing further stories through court action. However, the gag order collapsed when the matter as thrown out of court.
Solidarity’s intervention marks a significant escalation, placing the country’s largest university under renewed pressure to account for what the union calls a “systemic failure” in protecting its workforce.
According to Herman, Solidarity conducted an anonymous survey among both members and non-members at UNISA to corroborate the concerns raised in a series of articles by ednews.africa.
In the letter to Manamela, Solidarity argues that the conditions are of such a serious nature that they warrant formal intervention under the Higher Education Act. The union has called for the appointment of an independent assessment panel and assessor in terms of Sections 43, 44 and 45 of Chapter 6 of the Act.
“Such an assessment would serve to investigate the concerns raised, determine their impact on the affected employees, and recommend appropriate measures to be implemented at UNISA,” Herman wrote in the letter to Manamela.
The union insists that only a formal, independent probe can establish the full extent of the crisis and ensure that employee well-being is protected. Without such intervention, Solidarity warns, the situation could deteriorate further, undermining both staff morale and the university’s ability to deliver quality education.
On the survey, Solidarity Says: “Anonymity was regarded as essential to ensure that employees could respond without fear of victimisation,” Herman explained. “Within a short period, responses confirmed that many of the concerns raised in the articles were indeed well-founded.”
The survey paints a bleak picture of life inside UNISA’s academic and administrative corridors. Employees report that workloads have become unsustainable following the employer’s decision to reduce the number of markers and e‑tutors who previously assisted with grading duties.
With numerous vacant posts across departments left unfilled, existing staff have been forced to absorb additional responsibilities, materially contributing to burnout.
Veteran employees with decades of service are now opting for early retirement, citing the toll on their health. Others have sought professional medical and psychological help, including prescribed medication, to cope with the stress. Alarmingly, respondents described an overall sense of fear, saying they were reluctant to speak out due to the risk of victimisation.
Key Concerns Raised by Employees
The predominant concerns highlighted in Solidarity’s survey include:
Unsustainable workloads caused by the reduction of markers and e‑tutors.
Unfilled vacancies across departments, forcing staff to absorb additional responsibilities.
Early retirements among experienced employees due to health concerns.
Medical and psychological strain, with some staff requiring professional help and prescribed medication.
Climate of fear, with employees afraid to speak out due to victimisation risks.
Solidarity maintains that these issues are not isolated but systemic, reflecting deeper structural problems within UNISA’s management and staffing policies.
Solidarity’s intervention places the Minister in a difficult position. As the custodian of South Africa’s higher education system, Manamela is now under pressure to demonstrate that the government takes seriously the well-being of employees at the country’s largest university.
The union’s demand for an independent probe could set a precedent for how systemic staff welfare issues are addressed across the sector.
The crisis at UNISA is not occurring in isolation. Higher education institutions across South Africa have faced mounting challenges in balancing financial constraints, student demands, and staff welfare. However, Solidarity argues that UNISA’s situation is particularly acute, given its scale and reliance on distance learning.
With more than 400,000 students enrolled, UNISA is the largest university in Africa. The institution’s ability to deliver quality education depends heavily on the dedication of its staff.
Solidarity’s letter to Manamela represents a turning point in the unfolding crisis. By formally invoking provisions of the Higher Education Act, the union has escalated the matter beyond internal grievance processes, demanding government-level intervention.
Whether the Minister responds with urgency will be closely watched by staff, students, and the broader higher education community.
For now, UNISA remains under intense scrutiny, with Solidarity’s warning echoing loudly: without immediate action, the university risks deepening a crisis that could have far-reaching consequences for both employees and students.
This story will be updated as soon as we get a response from Manamela or UNISA management.
©Higher Education Media Services.