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Restoring integrity and protecting universities from political and commercial predation are priorities for Universities South Africa (USAf), the membership body representing all 26 public universities in South Africa.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Universities South Africa sounds alarm on rising campus governance risks

Several universities are facing deepening governance crises marked by institutional capture, leadership instability and weakened accountability systems, say higher education…

  • Edwin Naidu
8 min read
The University of Fort Hare, pictured, and Mangosuthu University of Technology are among those grappling with governance strain.
EDUCATION

Universities must confront the shadow of institutional capture

South Africa’s universities face growing risks of “institutional capture”, with Universities South Africa warning of governance failures, political interference and rising…

  • Edwin Naidu
5 min read
Professor Sakhela Buhlungu. Photo: UFH Facebook
ANN BERNSTEIN

Is state capture metamorphosing into higher education capture?

For all we know, the higher education sector might even have some senior managers who aid and abet institutional capture, just like the Madlanga Commission has outed some…

  • Thandwa Mthembu
8 min read
The University of Fort Hare has formally charged its vice-chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu.
BEATA MTYINGIZANA BUHLUNGU

‘Mr President, you failed me’ – University of Fort Hare corruption fallout reaches Ramaphosa

Vice-chancellor professor Sakhela Buhlungu has been suspended and now faces disciplinary action, despite a report that allegedly found no wrongdoing. The move has reignited…

  • Edwin Naidu
5 min read
The minister said detractors have celebrated the reputational damage to the student funding scheme, his department and the government
BLADE NZIMANDE

Cabinet to receive proposal on university student funding by June

Amid a continued national shutdown of universities, Blade Nzimande told parliament that government was collecting data of students’ historical debt

  • Bongekile Macupe
3 min read
Professor Puleng Lenkabula will be the first woman vice-chancellor since Unisa’s establishment 148 years ago
GEORGE MVALO

Unisa appoints its first woman vice-chancellor

Professor Puleng Lenkabula will be the first woman vice-chancellor since Unisa’s establishment 148 years ago. She is also the fifth women vice-chancellor in the country

  • Bongekile Macupe
3 min read
Universities have taken steps such as deactivating their biometric systems to combat the spread of coronavirus.
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

How South African universities are preparing for coronavirus

UP has temporarily disabled its biometric access systems, and several other institutions have established task teams ready to leap into action when Covid-19 hits their campuses

  • Bongekile Macupe
2 min read
Access to knowledge: The Cecil H Green library at Stanford University. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions holds the same view on copyright as USAf.
AHMED BAWA

USAf’s position on Bill in line with its mission

Universities South Africa takes exception to André Myburgh’s characterisation of its submission on the Copyright Amendment Bill

  • Ahmed Bawa
4 min read
In a statement on Thursday, the committee said that, although it respects the autonomy of universities to decide on salaries, it was concerned about the high pay some senior managers receive. (Oupa Nkosi)
ADAM HABIB

MPs want inquiry into academics’ pay

The portfolio committee on higher education says that vice-chancellors salaries are not justifiable due to university performance

  • Bongekile Macupe
3 min read
BONGEKILE MACUPE

“Excuses” hinder varsity transformation, academics say

Academics say that while a lot of ground has been covered when it comes to higher education, a lot more still needs to be done

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read
Higher education minister Blade Nzimande, who was the first to make a presentation, asked to be excused straight afterwards, because he had another important meeting he needed to attend.
BLADE NZIMANDE

Nzimande warns vice-chancellors against going behind his back

Minister tells academics he is responsible for higher education and they cannot undermine him by going to the presidency without talking to him first

  • Bongekile Macupe
5 min read
Professor Wim de Villiers, Stellenbosch University’s vice-chancellor. (Stefan Els/University of Stellenbosch)
BONGEKILE MACUPE

Academics gather to discuss South Africa’s university of the future

USAf is hosting its first ever national higher education conference to discuss challenges and successes in the higher education sector

  • Bongekile Macupe
3 min read
(David Harrison/M&G)
FEESMUSTFALL

No blanket amnesty decision on #FeesMustFall students — USaf

Usaf says varsities have no jurisdiction over cases where students were charged and guilty of criminal activities by a court of law

  • Kiri Rupiah
2 min read
Even after the elections were finished and power had been successfully transferred
AHMED BAWA

Would-be students scramble to enrol

Teens from outlying provinces brave the big city’s cruelties in the hope of bagging a prized university spot, knowing that nothing is certain

  • Bongekile Macupe
  • Gemma Ritchie
8 min read
Fake cover Forbes Africa.
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND

Universities’ body discourages walk-ins

Zuma announced in December that free education would be provided for poor and working class first-year students starting this year.

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane celebrate with manager Mauricio Pochettino after the match Action Images via (Carl Recine/Reuters)
AHMED BAWA

University South Africa is concerned about new funding proposal

USAf CEO Ahmed Bawa warned that the government’s implementation of the fees commission’s recommendations was more important than the report’s release.

  • James De Villiers
2 min read