The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly criticized Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande during the department’s budget vote in Parliament, accusing him of failing to ensure that university graduates are adequately prepared for the job market. EFF MP Naledi Chirwa expressed her disappointment, stating that Nzimande has been unable to align the post-schooling system with the country’s economic and social needs, as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP).
Chirwa highlighted the issue of unemployed graduates as evidence of Nzimande’s ineffective leadership. She emphasized that despite being in office for a significant period, the minister has only led the country’s youth into a state of darkness, hopelessness, depression, and unemployment. Chirwa’s scathing remarks reflect the frustration felt by many young South Africans who struggle to find employment opportunities despite obtaining tertiary qualifications.
In a separate incident, a group of students associated with the Institutional Students Representative Council (ISRC) staged a protest outside the National School Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offices in Cape Town. The protest was in response to NSFAS’s decision to exclude students who fail to meet the 60-credit requirement in their studied.
Additionally, NSFAS announced that it would directly pay student accommodation fees to independent service providers.The ISRC President, Tshepang Bambo, demanded that NSFAS postpone the implementation of the new policy. The students expressed their opposition to the direct payment of accommodation to external entities, arguing that it would strip institutions of their authority and benefit private financial technology companies.
The students urged NSFAS to reconsider the decision, as it would have a detrimental impact on students who fall below the 60-credit threshold, depriving them of access to accommodation, books, and full meals.The EFF’s criticism of Minister Nzimande reflects broader concerns about the state of higher education in South Africa. The issue of graduate employability has been a longstanding challenge in the country, with many graduates struggling to find suitable employment opportunities.
The EFF’s accusation that Nzimande has failed to address this issue effectively resonates with the frustrations of students and recent graduates who face a highly competitive job market. The protest led by the ISRC further underscores the discontent among students regarding the new policies implemented by NSFAS. By directly paying accommodation fees to external providers, NSFAS has created concerns about the potential exploitation of students and the loss of institutional control over student welfare.
Students argue that the decision could benefit private companies at the expense of students’ well-being. Overall, these events shed light on the pressing issues surrounding higher education in South Africa. The EFF’s criticism of Minister Nzimande and the student protest against NSFAS reflect the frustration and dissatisfaction among young South Africans regarding the accessibility and quality of tertiary education, as well as the subsequent employability challenges faced by graduates.
These issues call for comprehensive reforms and effective policies to ensure that higher education aligns with the needs of the country’s economy and society, ultimately providing opportunities for all students to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
