Questions and Replies

Reply:

NSFAS is currently implementing the 2023 Conditions and Criteria for Funding Students which includes the current cap of R45 000 for student accommodation. There are no other guidelines that propose a different cap.

Clause 5.3.5.6.2 and 5.3.2.6.3 of the 2023 Conditions and Criteria for Funding Students are as follow:

• 5.3.5.6.2 Students living in institution owned accommodation, or leased accommodation qualify for a capped annual accommodation allowance of up to R45,000 per annum.
• 5.3.5.6.3 Students living in accredited private accommodation qualify for a capped accommodation allowance of up to R45,000 per annum.

Reply:

1. I held a press conference on 24 January 2023 with the focus on post school education and training sector state of readiness for academic year 2023. The press conference outlined the career pathing of all learners, including those could not be accommodated in tertiary institutions.

2. (a) The Department continues to encourage prospective students to look beyond universities as the only option to training, particularly when the economic demands align more closely with skills of those located in the TVET sector. The Department is also marketing of STEM related qualifications, where student interest is limited, notwithstanding the spaces that are available.

Students who could not be accommodated in our higher learning institutions (i.e. universities), as shared during the press conference on 24 January 2023 can access other post school opportunities as follows:

1. Skills Development Opportunities

For the 2023/24 financial year, the entire SETA system has set itself the following targets, as part of expanding post-school opportunities:

• 110 500 workplace-based learning (WBL) opportunities;
• 149 000 learners registered in skills development programs;
• 23 000 learners entering artisanal programs;
• 21 000 learners passing artisanal trades;
• 32 550 learners completing learnerships; and
• 6 450 learners completing internships.

Reply:

a) (i) (aa) NSFAS embarked on hosting workshops with accommodation providers in all nine provinces. The aim of these workshops was to clarify the accommodation cap and encourage accommodation providers to register their properties on the NSFAS accommodation portal to accredit the properties and subsequently place students.

(ii) The sessions culminated in accommodation providers submitting applications for 48 375 beds. To date 13 030 have been accredited.

b) Input has been received for consideration (non-adoption to recommendations), however, this does not mean concurrence.

c) There should not be a shortfall as NSFAS has emphasized that students must be placed in student accommodation that is within the R45 000 cap.

Reply:

(a) 126 030 appeals were received from the rejected applications.

(b) To assess funding eligibility NSFAS is reliant of third parties such as:

• Department of Home Affairs (DHA) – to confirm applicants’ identity and parental information,
• South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) – SASSA beneficiaries are automatically funded.
• South African Revenue Services (SARS) – to confirm household income, and others such as credit bureaus.

Reply:

With regards to university lecturers, the Council of a university is assigned the role of an employer as per the Higher Education Act (Act 101 of 1997) as amended, the Department is not assigned this role. The critical skills list identifies scarce skills which are deemed as critical, it also serves as a reference document when appointing foreign nationals. Universities seeking to appoint foreign nationals are required to approach the Department with a request and motivation to process the appointment, this is after they have conducted internal recruitment processes and are unable to attract and appoint a suitably qualified South African national. They then approach specific professional registration bodies/entities to verify the prerequisites before a candidate can be appointed. In cases where there is no Professional body to register with, universities approach the Department with a motivation for support for a critical skills visa application.

The Department may then support the motivation and request the Department of Home Affairs to consider the university’s request/incumbents application in terms of the requisite policies and legislation of the Department of Home Affairs which governs critical skills visas. Ultimately, it is the prerogative of the Department of Home affairs to grant or not to grant work permits.

Reply:

The Higher Education Act (Act 101 Of 1997) as amended, does not give the Minister the authority to regulate procurement of private security services by public universities.

(a)The conduct of private security companies, including how they engage with student protesters, is regulated by the Private Security industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). Through the PSIRA Act of 2001, PSIRA is granted powers to "exercise effective control over the practice of the occupation of security service providers in the public and national interest", "promote a private security industry which is characterised by professionalism, transparency, accountability, equity and accessibility" as well as "promote high standards in the training of security service providers amongst others".

(b) PSIRA has developed a code of conduct and a complaints management process through which affected members of the public can lodge complaints against a security company.

Reply:

The table below reflect graduate numbers in electrical-related qualifications per year in each institution. The 2022 audited data will be available at the end of November 2023.

Year
Institution	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Cape Peninsula University of Technology	278	263	257	186	169	112	124
Central University	258	213	216	246	354	338	359
Durban University of Technology	315	369	360	363	424	458	452
Mangosuthu University of Technology	258	275	206	252	247	195	304
Nelson Mandela University	87	119	71	84	83	84	80
North-West University	74	65	44	49	57	49	67
Tshwane University of Technology	520	509	564	638	649	619	605
University of Cape Town	133	108	99	112	109	137	89
University of Johannesburg	320	338	299	374	425	286	248
University of Kwazulu-Natal	61	52	63	66	68	73	74
University of Pretoria	175	178	210	168	190	171	170
University South Africa	189	207	207	215	173	288	347
University Stellenbosch	142	145	149	175	185	170	173
University of the Witwatersrand	134	147	144	161	154	158	122
Vaal University of Technology	316	320	346	442	271	217	277
Walter Sisulu University	10	53	60	115	92	91	76
Grand Total	3269	3360	3293	3546	3647	3446	3566

Reply:

The Ministerial Task Team (MTT) on the reconfiguration of the NSF completed its work in July 2023 and presented its report with recommendations to the Minister.

The recommendations in the report for the purpose of implementation are both medium and long term in nature.

Those of a long-term nature require the amendment of certain parts of the legislation (the Skills Development Act 1998).

The Director General of DHET appointed an NSF MTT Report Implementation Task Team which has started its work through the drafting of an Implementation Plan.

The Implementation Plan is driven by five (5) workstreams who in turn have compiled disaggregated activity plans around these five (5) workstreams through target setting activities. The workstreams are:

1. Governance workstream. (Primarily addresses issues of the NSF governance and legal structure).
2. Strategy and Innovation workstream. (Primarily address the NSF skills development strategy in line with other government's skills development priorities and plans).
3. Business model, operating model, and vale chain workstream. (Primarily addresses the flow of the NSF full value chain of skills development funding which combines the core and the support function of the NSF.
4. Human Resource workstream. (Primarily addresses the recruitment, development, and support of appropriately qualified personnel).
5. Change management workstream. (Addresses the theory of change aimed at instilling a new ethical culture and value system in the NSF).

The medium-term targets are meant to be achieved by the end of the 2023/24 financial year.

The long-term targets (legislative in nature) are meant to be achieved beyond the 2023/24 financial year.

Reply:

The college has received R30 000 000 to renovate hostels at Soshanguve to accommodate students from Soshanguve South and Soshanguve North. There are only three hundred (300) beds for the college therefore priority will be given to female students. The college is looking at other measures to brief security in the student residence.

Reply:

1. Total number of students accommodated by universities are approximately 367 047.
2. Total number of students accommodated by private student residences are approximately 335 387.

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY	University owned	Private Owned
Not Private	23 641
Private		4 034
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
Not Private	12 177
Private		1 920
UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH
Not Private	6 208
Private		4 892
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
Not Private	4 970
Private		7 920
GAUTENG PROVINCE
TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Not Private	41 395
Private		31 137
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Not Private	6 511
Private		61 149
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
Not Private	7 603
Private		28 595
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND
Not Private	8 559
Private		18 238
SEFAKO MAKGATHO HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY
Not Private	-
Private		5 193
VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Not Private	6 325
Private		18 956
FREE STATE PROVINCE
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Not Private	1 026
Private		21 244
UNIVERSITY OF FREE STATE
Not Private	3 662
Private		46 330
KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE
DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Not Private	34 372
Private		2 773
MANGOSUTHU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Not Private	23 888
Private		-
UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL
Not Private	35 399
Private		4 762
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND
Not Private	1 260
Private		8 340
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Not Private	17 402
Private		18 296
RHODES UNIVERSITY
Not Private	6 983
Private		3 225
UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE
Not Private	16 267
Private		5 806
WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY
Not Private	38 455
Private		-
NORTH-WEST PROVINCE
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY
Not Private	13 928
Private		31 079
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE
SOL PLAATJE UNIVERSITY
Not Private	4 336
Private		1 242
LIMPOPO PROVINCE
UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO
Not Private	31 786
Private		-
UNIVERSITY OF VENDA
Not Private	10 166
Private		9 816
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
UNIVERSITY OF MPUMALANGA
Not Private	10 728
Private		440

3. Government is unable to address the student housing shortage on its own. The student accommodation deficit requires us to partner with Emerging/Small Private Student Accommodation Providers, Established/Large Student Accommodation Providers, Development Finance Institutions, and Commercial Banks. This is why in 2016, the Department established the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) which aims to converge these stakeholders in order to leverage on their resources and expertise for the purpose of addressing the student housing shortage. Considering the above, there are no plans to reduce private student accommodation. Instead, plans are underway to strengthen the regulation of the student accommodation market by reviewing the 2015 Policy on Minimum Norms and Standards for Student Housing.

Reply:

The Department) has been working towards finding mechanisms to address the scourge of violence on campuses and residences. Following several engagements with the sector the Department undertook to develop a programme of engagement with all relevant stakeholders with the aim of developing strategic partnerships across the sector to address issues of violence and violent cultures on university campuses. This work was progressed through engagements with Universities South Africa (USAf), South African Police Service (SAPS) and Campus Protection Society of Southern Africa (CAMPROSA. The aim is to assess and understand the different threats experienced by universities and identify urgent matters that need to be addressed at institutions, including the need to improve the capacity of institutions to maintain peace and keep campuses safe and secure.

The training of security officers placed on campuses and student residences was identified as one of the areas that should be prioritised. USAf committed to work closely with SAPS and CAMPROSA to ensure that universities security officers are well trained. A training manual will be developed to ensure that training of security officers across universities is standardised. In terms of monitoring the Department has committed to meet with universities through CAMPROSA to discuss progress on training of security officers.

All universities were requested to provide some basic information to the Department detailing immediate plans to address safety and security matters, and highlighting areas that require urgent intervention to improve safety and security, including infrastructure-related projects to be prioritized. This information was scrutinized to identify projects that could be urgently funded through earmarked grants. Funds were made available to universities through the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant towards safety and security projects over six distinct cycles. To date an amount of R519.344 million has been allocated to universities for projects aimed at improving security at universities.

The Department is also supporting the Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) to improve institutional infrastructure and facilities including enhancing security fixtures on campuses and residences. The programme is implemented in five-year cycles, accompanied by an annual allocation of the Sibusiso Bengu Development Grant. An amount of R240 355 836 has been allocated to HDIs over a five-year period to implement the approved projects aimed at enhancing overall campus and residence safety at universities.

The projects approved under the two earmarked grants include, but not limited to, upgrading of CCTV surveillance system on various campuses and residences, improving access control technology to enable advanced access control management, installation of perimeter fencing and enhancement of lighting in certain areas of residences and campuses.

Universities submit to the Department audited progress reports of projects funded through the earmarked grants annually. It is required that each report should be accompanied by a financial and narrative report indicating the progress in implementing the funded projects. In addition, the Department also conducts institutional oversight visits to verify the information submitted to the Department, discuss the implementation progress of each project approved and funded and assist where there are blockages in implementing the projects.

The Minister has also commissioned research through the University of Zululand to assess the state of safety and security at universities in South Africa, what security measures exist on campuses, and what university management has done to promote safety and security. Amongst others, the methodological approach used was the review of universities security policies and procedures and undertaking physical audit of security infrastructure.

There is also a Ministerial commitment to establish a National Task Force on safety and security in PSET institutions. The development of the Terms of Reference for this work is underway. The Department and Heads of security of universities have also agreed to meet every quarter to assess progress with developing common security standards and norms, so as to develop a security blue print similar to that established for the TVET sector, as well as improving lighting at campuses.

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training has various strategies in place to improve retention of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students. In respect of student admissions, the Department has developed the Policy Framework on Administration and Management of Student Admissions in TVET Colleges to facilitate access to young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds to TVET college programme offerings. Furthermore, administration of the student selection and placement tests is compulsory in all colleges to ensure that students are appropriately enrolled in programmes aligned to their cognitive abilities. To promote student access, financially and academically deserving students may apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which covers tuition (inclusive of textbooks, consumables, and safety gear), personal care allowance, living allowance, and transport or accommodation.

Students who do not meet entry requirements for a particular programme as outlined in the college’s admission policy may be enrolled into the Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP) which is a one-year academic programme intended to bridge the gap in students’ foundational knowledge in subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science, and over and above includes computer literacy and life skills. In respect of on-course support, the Department has developed the Academic Support Guidelines to assist colleges to develop their own academic support programmes and interventions for underperforming students in order to improve their retention and academic performance.

The physical, emotional, social health, and well-being of students have a bearing on their retention and academic performance. In this regard, the Department, in collaboration with Higher Health is offering health, wellness and psychosocial support to students with socio-economic challenges ranging from gender-based violence, substance abuse, health care, STD and HIV/AIDS screenings, and mental health to enable them to adapt to the demands of college life and their studies.

Reply:

My department has established a Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) which is aimed at addressing student housing backlog through the implementation of large student housing projects that deliver more than 1000 student beds each across universities and TVET Colleges. From the onset, SHIP was established to ensure that a minimum of 60% of the student beds it delivers are for campuses in rural and peri-urban areas. For the less urbanised spaces, under Phase 1 of the SHIP which commenced in 2019, R1.464 billion was allocated towards the development of 13005 student beds at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice Campus, North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus, University of Limpopo (UL), University of Zululand (UNIZULU), King Hintsa TVET College, and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). To date 3165 beds have been completed, 5500 are currently under construction, and 4340 have been scheduled.

Under Phase 2 of the SHIP, R1.382 billion has been allocated towards the development of 6300 beds at Central University of Technology (CUT) Welkom Campus, Gert Sibande TVET College, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Ga-Rankuwa Campus, and Walter Sisulu University (WSU). In addition, R1.209 billion has been allocated to student housing projects that are not under the SHIP, and the projects are currently under construction. These projects are located at CUT Welkom Campus, TUT Ga-Rankuwa Campus, UL, UNIVEN, WSU and University of Zululand (UNIZULU). Furthermore, R1.261 billion was allocated for previous projects which have already been completed at CUT Welkom Campus, NWU Mahikeng Campus, SMU, UFH Alice Campus, UL, UNIVEN, UNIZULU, WSU, and University of the Free State (UFS) Qwa-Qwa Campus.

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training has embraced the digital transformation journey and has prioritised utilising technology to improve the quality of teaching and learning which will ultimately improve institutional efficiency and student success.

1. The extent of online education has not been quantified by different institutions in the PSET sector. However, the Department has introduced multiple initiatives including amongst others:

(a) Investment in the development of a National Open Learning System (NOLS) that aims to:

• progressively harness open learning principles in all PSET institutions;
• provide students in the PSET system with an efficient open learning system with viable options for learning;
• use ICT as an enabler for teaching and learning in PSET; and
• make high quality, shared teaching and learning resources increasingly available as Open Educational Resources (OER).

b) Commissioned a research project with an international partner (GIZ — German Agency for International Cooperation) on the current use of technology in South African TVET colleges.

c) Funded the South African National Research Network (SANReN) which was mandated to connect all 50 TVET Colleges with more than 300 sites covering the length and breadth of the entire country (TCCP) including rural institutions. 90% of TVET students are from poor homes. The project is 80% complete. Learning sites that were connected have provided very positive feedback, with high-speed connectivity achieved across vast and deep rural and mountainous regions of the country

2. On the question of building capacity to expand access through online education is work in progress, the DHET has developed a National Guideline on using technology to enhance teaching and learning. All Colleges were capacitated on the use of the National Guidelines during 2021/2022.

The Department further initiated a project on blended learning which aims to build lecturer and tutor capacity in blended learning of mathematics and statistics education, tutoring and support. Currently, there is no formalized programme to capacitate lecturers and tutors for blended tuition. The objective of the project is to conduct workshops and work with Inter-university and Faculty communities of practice that consist of lecturers and tutors who will focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance their ability to educate optimally will be established.

Reply:

I have not been informed about the Cap leading to students not being able to afford suitable accommodation. Men my department presented on readiness for the academic year, we reported that universities made provision for emergency accommodation for students where possible. On 20 March 2023, USAF too confirmed that emergency accommodation has been offered to students. Following my meeting with USAF on 3 March 2023, where on concerns with the R45000 Cap were raised by some Vice Chancellors, I established a task team consisting of affected universities, officials from the Department and NSFAS. Relevant data from all 26 public universities is being collected to establish how many students are affected and which accommodation categories they are allocated within. Once all the data is collated a workshop will be held with relevant stakeholders. In the interim, internal analysis has been conducted by the Department to analyse which universities will not cope financially with the Cap, and what adjustments need to be made to ensure they are supported. Recommendations will be submitted to the Department. NSFAS has also informed me that it plans to redirect NSFAS students to the more affordable accredited accommodation identified by its team of accreditors.

Reply:

Since 2007, when the NC(V) programmes were first introduced, the NC(V): Mechatronics programme has been offered supported by workshops and equipment that enables the development of relevant skills needed by industry. Many of these workshops match those at some Universities of Technology used by first year students.

Over the past 5 years various components of the NC(V): Mechatronics programme have been reviewed and updated. These include Practical Assessment Tasks (PATs) and Integrated Summative Assessment Tasks (ISATs) for the following subjects:

Vocational Subject reviewed	Implementation date of the reviewed subject
Mechatronics Systems L2	2020
Electro-technology L3	2023
Stored Programme Systems L3	2023
Machine Manufacturing L3	2023
Mechatronic Systems L3	2023
Electro-technology L4	2017
Stored Programme Systems L4	2017
Computer Integrated Manufacturing L4	2017
Mechatronic Systems L4	2017

From 2019 – 2022, the DHET developed an additional stream in the NC(V): IT & Computer Science programme which focuses on Robotics. This Robotics programme is implemented in 10 TVET colleges from January 2023, including Capricorn TVET College.

In preparation for the implementation of the Robotics programme (which is an integration of Mechatronics and Software Programming), TVET colleges had to upgrade their Mechatronics workshops so that they can accommodate equipment to facilitate learning in both Mechatronics and Robotics. These workshops were then earmarked for use by both the Mechatronics and Robotics programmes.

The assertion that the curriculum of the NC(V): Mechatronics programme is irrelevant / outdated is incorrect. The curriculum does not specify the brand or version of equipment to be used in teaching. A standard resource list is provided to colleges providing minimum requirements for facilitating learning in a programme. The curriculum states the specific learning outcomes that have to be achieved and which will be assessed across all colleges offering the programme, irrespective of the choice of equipment they are using.

An illustration of this aspect of national curriculum development is that, for an example: in the Computer Practice and Computer Literacy curricula there would not be mention made of Microsoft Office. The learning outcomes will describe what students need to achieve / learn e.g. how to compile and edit documents, to capture and process data and statistics, do presentations, etc without prescribing the specific software package.

The DHET endeavours to continue supporting TVET colleges in aligning their Programmes and Qualifications Mix (PQMs) with the needs of industry. Linking programme offerings with priority skills needs reflected in national and local initiatives such as Local Development Plans, Occupations in High Demand (OIHD), the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, and the National Digital Skills Strategy.

Reply:

The NSFAS relied on the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation report, existing NSFAS data for accommodation claimed historically across all institutions, both universities and TVET colleges, recommendations from the MTT report and available market data which looked at the generic student housing market.

Reply:

The Department has considered the use of redundant buildings to house satellite campuses for PSET institutions in general and Community Learning Centres in particular.

The exercise has been managed at the regional and institutional level because many of the redundant buildings are schools owned by Provincial Departments of Public Works. However, the Department has started a process establishing a schedule of all redundant buildings that can be used as satellite campuses. The exercise is scheduled to be completed by the end of 30 March 2023.

Reply:

a) Government contributed R1.7 billion to NSFAS following a due diligence exercise that was undertaken in 2018 towards historic debt owed to universities by continuing or returning NSFAS qualifying students, registered in 2018. The allocation targets students who were subject to the R122 000 family income threshold and the NSFAS funding cap, and covers students registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Students must meet the academic progression criteria for the years being claimed for and had to sign an acknowledgment of debt with their institutions. This project is work in progress as it is subject to an audit process required by NSFAS and is yet to be finalised.

Secondly, as for the 2022 academic year, NSFAS applied the household income threshold of R350,000 to all students who applied for financial aid for the 2022 academic year and beyond. This means continuing students who were subjected to the R122 000 threshold and NSFAS cap, qualified for the full cost of study and thus would not incur debt.

Thirdly, there have been yearly compacts between my Ministry and the councils of universities to ensure fees remain affordable for poor and working-class students as well as missing middle students. In 2022 a compact was reached with universities to increase tuition fees and accommodation fees to a maximum of CPI at 4.23% for tuition fees and CPI+2 to a maximum of 6.23% for accommodation fees.

b) The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allocation for the 2023 academic year for universities is R38.674 617 billion covering an estimated 62% of the undergraduate population studying towards an approved qualification at an institution, and who meet the qualifying criteria. The Minister has also approved the 10% increase in allowances, institutions have started to load registration data inclusive of this confirmed increase.

Reply:

The Department expressed its outrage at the callous conduct of criminals. The Department invited all heads of security to a workshop to understand common threats and risks, and resolved to meet every quarter with them, and develop a security framework for a national security policy for universities as well as norms and standards applicable to the PSET sector. The Department also consulted them on the possible terms of reference that would guide the work of the national task force as envisaged by the Minister. The Department asked all Vice-Chancellors to share security costs to understand the extent of the threat they confront, and establish what they are charged, and if they are charged fair prices for such services. The Department also supports the work of the SIU which will also expose other layers of risk around the Vice-Chancellors and has consulted the security sector extensively on evolving risks in the university and TVET sector.

Reply:

Over the past seven years (2015/16 to 2021/22), a total of R1.057 billion from the Department’s earmarked grants, namely, the Foundation provision (FP) , Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (IEG), Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) and Sibusiso Bengu Development Programme (SB-DP) has been allocated to fund various projects at the university. This support has enabled UFH to work towards improving the quality of their infrastructure significantly and has supported: the construction of new academic buildings, laboratories, and lecture theatres; the refurbishment, upgrading and conversion of academic buildings; development of student accommodation; and the acquisition of equipment and furniture. Summary of the projects funded through the Department’s four earmarked grants is shown in table 1 below.

Table 1: Summary of the funded Projects 2015/16 – 2021/22 for UFH

Project Name/Description	Funding (R' 000)
	Infrastructure & Efficiency Grant	Student Housing Infrastructure Programme	Sibusiso Bengu Development Programme	Foundation Provision	Total/Project
*University Priority Projects	10 500	0	0	0	10 500
#University Special Projects	35 000	0	0	0	35 000
Deferred Maintenance Projects	76 625	0	0	0	76 625
HDI Infrastructure Backlog FC10: Chemistry lab, network and telephone systems	30 200	0	0	0	30 200
Eskom Connection	19 073	0	0	0	19 073
Replacing the Obsolete Substation	12 903	0	0	0	12 903
Refurbishment of Lecture halls: Alice & East London Campuses	20 500	0	0	0	20 500
Early Childhood Development Centre: East London Campus	53 699	0	0	0	53 699
Student Centre & Parkade: East London Campus	63 059	0	0	0	63 059
Electricity Infrastructure Upgrades - Alice Campus	56 240	0	0	0	56 240
Occupational Health & Safety Compliance: All Campuses	55 850	0	0	0	55 850
Disability Access: All Campuses	36 546	0	0	0	36 546
Video projectors and sound lift in teaching venues	0	0	12 000	0	12 000
Access control to all buildings	0	0	22 000	0	22 000
CCTV to monitor activity in venues, admin building & open areas	0	0	14 000	0	14 000
Wireless access systems across campus	0	0	25 050	0	25 050
Legal compliance	0	0	18 000	0	18 000
Alice Water and Sanitation Project	57 606	0	72 394	0	130 000
Phase 2 of Alice Student Village for 1437 beds	0	122 000	0	0	122 000
Business Plan funds	0	0	1 000	0	1 000
HEDA analytical system implementation	0	0	5 000	0	5 000
Improve student to laptop ratios in open space access labs	0	0	32 000	0	32 000
Provide 700 academic and administrative staff with laptops	0	0	6 300	0	6 300
Chemistry lab equipments	0	0	500	0	500
Contracts management and review project	0	0	18 440	0	18 440
Safety and security	0	0	11 350	0	11 350
Asset management office	0	0	10 584	0	10 584
Graduate destination study	0	0	2 100	0	2 100
Development support funds	0	0	4 838	0	4 838
Programme management and CDT funds	0	0	13 365	0	13 365
Purchase of land in East London	0	0	20 000	0	20 000
Extended/foundation programmes (Inclusive of interests)	0	0	0	117 976	117 976
Total/Source	527 800	122 000	288 921	117 976	1 056 697

* University Priority Projects - Allocation is for the refurbishment and/or equipment purchase in any projects related to disability access, well-founded laboratories, security upgrades and ICT.

# University Special Projects - Allocation is for the ELECTRICAL RETICULATION ON THE ALICE CAMPUS - Upgrade of reticulation system comprises of 19 indoor substations (MV switchgear, transformers and LV distribution boards) and 5 mini-substations linked with underground cables laid out in a Eskom main ring formation.

Reply:

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was appointed by the President and will therefore be reporting to the President in this regard.

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)’s programme does not have any students who have not received stipend payments. The Stipend payment of the Department’s programme is being processed by the South African Mission in Russia and their stipends for February 2023 have been processed. The South African mission in Russia is currently processing the March stipends.

With regard to other scholarship programmes not administered by the DHET, there has been constant communication with the Provincial Government of Mpumalanga (the province) which has sponsored the 221 students in question with full scholarships at Russian universities and had previously faced stipend payment challenges. The Department has also had periodic joint meetings with the Province, The Department of International Relations and Corporation (DIRCO) and South African Mission in Russia to ensure that the scholarship awardees are assisted with scholarships related challenges. The purpose of these engagements was to put in measures that would expedite a solution for the affected students.

Mpumalanga Province has recently indicated to the Department that all accommodation, tuition, and stipend challenges that their scholarship awardees were facing have been resolved. Furthermore, the Province has indicated that it has approved diversions to approve support for students who have contravened the scholarship contract and those who have gone beyond their contract period.

At a meeting of 27th February 2023, the province indicated that it is reviewing an additional list of students who submitted a complaint through DHET of not receiving their funds. At the same meeting the province indicated that it is reviewing the submitted case as according to their records all student matters pertaining to stipend payments had been resolved.

Reply:

Different universities have different security needs which depend on the threats they are experiencing. The Department convened a meeting with the Heads of Security to understand and assess the different needs and threats experienced by universities and there was unanimous support for peace-keeping training. It was identified that training of security officers should be prioritised. Universities should create working relationships with law enforcement agencies including the Public Order Policing Unit of the South African Police Service.

Universities South Africa (USAf) committed to work closely with South African Police Service (SAPS) and Campus Protection Society of Southern Africa (CAMPROSA) to ensure that universities’ security officers are well trained, and training of security officers is standardized through the development of a training manual at national level. The Department has developed a blueprint for security personnel in the TVET sector and will oversee the process of the development of a similar framework within the next 6 months after conducting further assessments of the university security personnel.

Reply:

The sectors (Sports and Arts) were affected by COVID-19 global health pandemic significantly; The Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) as one of the twenty-one (21) Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) is prioritizing, skilling and upskilling as critical enablers towards the reconstruction and recovery of these sectors, as also, amongst others identified in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.

(b) How is his department harnessing higher education in this regard?

The CATHSSETA is one of the twenty-one (21) Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) with limited revenue collected from levy payers. The CATHSSETA is responsible to facilitate skills development within the sector.

In the past three (3) years, the CATHSSETA has allocated R 29 460 483, 00 to support sports, arts, and culture training interventions. This allocation is broken down as referred to the table 1 below:

Table .1

FINANCIAL YEAR	AMOUNT
2020/21	R12 060 400. 00
2021/22	R9 701 025. 50
2022/23	R7 699 057. 50
Total	R29 460 483. 00

The CATHSSETA has also, amongst others, implemented the following programmes which have had a significant impact on the sectors:

Coaching: There has been an identification of a shortage of coaches at the junior level space in South Africa, therefore CATHSSETA has trained ten (10) coaches to increase the pool and ensure stability and continuation in that regard. Furthermore, the qualification is currently being reviewed to ensure that it is relevant and fit for purpose of the industry’s needs.

Talent Scout: The CATHSSETA has developed the talent scout programme which saw 20 learners attending and being qualified. The qualification is one of the first in South Africa, this programme aims to ensure that talent is identified, managed, and harnessed to ensure that the correct caliber of learners is placed in the right sporting codes.

Intellectual Property: The SETA is also looking into awarding providers to train the artists on intellectual property which will give them skills to manage their contracts and crafts in the 2023 fiscal year.

Volunteers Skills Programme: Training of five hundred (500) learners in preparation for the Netball World Cup to be hosted in South Africa from 28 July to 6 August 2023.

Life Skills Programme for Old and Active Artists and Sports Anchors: There’s a scary pattern that exists in the South African entertainment and sports industry particularly when black artists/celebrities pass on. Shortly after their passing on, it emerges that the artists were broke or in huge debt. It, therefore, cannot be right that artists and sports anchors work hard their whole life, and, in the end, they have nothing to show. The life skills programme will provide learners with the ability to manage their emotions, health, finances, and relationships.

Reply:

Most universities have safety and security policies in place that outline processes to be followed when dealing with protests and penalties imposed when security officers act contrary to policy prescriptions. In addition, universities deal with cases of breach of policy prescripts through their internal disciplinary processes and procedures. The Department committed to work with USAf and universities to improve the capacity of institutions to maintain peace and keep campuses safe and secure. It is also working very closely with SAPS and CAMPROSA in ensuring that recruitment and training of security officers is standardized through the development of a blueprint.

Reply:

a) The Department of Higher Education and Training had various consultations with universities, the South African Union of Students as well as NSFAS to discuss the challenges and ongoing agreements with the sector to address the issue of financial exclusions and historic debt of academically deserving students. The Department has also embarked on oversight visits to all 26 universities over this period, to determine amongst others, plans that universities have put in place to assist unfunded students that are doing well academically and concessions that are in place to enable students with debt to be able to register.

Most universities have initiated processes and concessions to assist academically deserving students. These plans and concessions range from SRC-raised funds to academically deserving students by settling their historic debt; merit bursaries to academically performing students; missing middle campaigns; and fundraising initiatives to assist academically deserving students, including fundraising engagements with external sponsors; and the signing of acknowledgement of debt forms in line with universities’ financial concessions.

It should also be noted that the work to find a long-term solution to missing middle student funding needs is ongoing. One of the key recommendations of the Ministerial Task Team in their critical work to conceptualise a new student financial aid model for the South African higher education and training system is that as part of the long-term development of a new, comprehensive student funding policy, government should explore the establishment of a loan scheme to support “missing middle” students in accessing higher education and training. The MTT explored different loan models, including a direct lending model, wholesale lending model and credit guarantees. The MTT recommended that in the immediate short-term government should explore the possibility of a government guarantee for commercial bank loans. This would allow for the funding of missing middle students and test the take-up of such loans while other loan models are explored from 2023 onwards. The Department is currently engaging with the banking sector to explore the options for a credit guarantee model with the commercial banks and other financial service providers before an application for a credit guarantee can be submitted to National Treasury by the Minister. It is envisaged that the final model will be tabled before the Forum of South African Directors-General (DG cluster) before it is submitted to Cabinet within the next month or two.

b) This information will have to be collected directly from institutions, as the Department does not collect this information.

c) Engagements will continue with universities until the matter is resolved with all stakeholders.

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) has received very few complaints alleging unfair practices in the accreditation of private student accommodation. In the previous cases, there was no proof or any tangible information provided which made it impractical for the Department to investigate the allegations.

Recently (late February 2023), the Department received a letter with a sequence of events of alleged discrimination, victimization, denial of work, refusal of payments, and misrepresentation of facts by a university in its process for the accreditation of private student accommodation. The Department is looking into these allegations and has already requested the University in question to provide a detailed report on issues raised. Once the report is received, the Department will investigate further and institute appropriate measures to address the allegations.

Reply:

Safety and security at public universities has long been a matter of concern in South Africa. It is well-known that our universities are sometimes confronted by enormous challenges of violence which include brutal murder of female students in both universities and TVET colleges spaces.

Since 2019 the Department of Higher Education and Training has been engaging with universities, Universities South Africa, South African Police Services and Campus Protection Society of Southern Africa (CAMPROSA) to address safety concerns at universities. Protocols were developed for securing direct intervention by SAPS, including interdicts issued by courts.

The Department also committed to work with USAf and universities to improve the capacity of institutions to maintain peace and keep campuses safe and secure. Universities were requested to submit their plans to enhance safety and security on their campuses and residences including all safety-related initiatives. The aim was to identify urgent matters that need to be addressed at institutions including the need to improve the capacity of institutions to maintain peace and keep campuses safe and secure. The plans submitted were analysed. Funds have been made available in the Infrastructure Efficiency Grant (IEG) for safety and security projects submitted by universities to the Department.

The University Education Branch convened a meeting with the Heads of Security to understand and assess the different threats experienced by universities and collectively identify interventions that can be implemented immediately, as well as medium- and long-term. Amongst others, it was suggested that a Policy Framework which will serve as a guiding instrument for developing policies by universities should be developed. The framework will outline basic norms and standards that should be included in institutional policies.

A national security audit to ascertain the state of safety and security at universities is underway. The study seeks to determine the existence of security measures on campuses, what the university populace think of the current security situation, and what university management has done to promote safety and security.

In addition, following the series of callous murders at the University of Fort Hare a decision was made to establish a National Task Force (NTF) which will assist in the development of intervention strategies to assist with campus safety and other security measures.

Reply:

The Minister still awaits the formal report on the matter from the Council of the University of Cape Town as well as the Report of the Panel. Upon receipt and analysis of the formal report from the Council, the Minister will determine the action to take within the prescripts of the Higher Education Act.

Reply:

1. The late closure of NSFAS applications (31 January 2023) coupled with a significant increase in applications for first time entering places system wide and NSFAS system challenges contributed to some of the delays. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) utilising a monitoring toolkit embarked on oversight visits to universities to assess the state of readiness about registration, admissions, funding as well as any other challenges institutions might have encountered. The Department has closely monitored the state of readiness regarding the 2023 registration cycle at 26 universities following the Minister’s consultation with the sector, regarding the start of the 2023 academic year. These monitoring oversight visits allowed the Department to engage with universities and student leaders as well as NSFAS to deal with any matters including the delay in NSFAS funding confirmations. NSFAS reported to the Portfolio Committee on 22 February 2023 that 1 084 574 students have been provisionally funded at universities and TVET Colleges. Confirmed funding for universities and TVET Colleges where registration data is received is 350 014 and 81 281 students respectively. The exchange of registration data between NSFAS and institutions are ongoing.

The closing date for appeals to be lodged at NSFAS was extended to 28 February to accommodate students that are currently being evaluated through NSFAS processes.

NSFAS also made upfront payments to both Universities and TVET Colleges with prior periods’ savings and recovery funds.

2. Measures that universities have put in place to allow provisionally funded students to register are as follows:

• Some universities allowed students who are provisionally funded to register while waiting for the funded list from NSFAS.
• Some universities granted an extension to accommodate the late release of results for Grade 12s, delayed NSFAS funding decisions and minimum payments for registrations.
• Some universities had to adjust orientation schedules to accommodate late registering students, as well as to ensure opportunity for extended registration for those students who require it.
• Majority of institutions use online registration with opportunities also for face to face and assisted registration on campus.
• At most institutions, there are mechanisms in place to ensure that students can sign Acknowledgements of Debt, and to (in most cases) access the start of the academic year and accommodation.

Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

1. (aa) Minister

(a)	(b) (i)	(b) (ii)	(b) (iii)
Namibia	R6800	R8770	R1919.00
Japan	R16316	R103565	R16785
Germany	R25300	R68362	R10656
USA	R32,200.00	R78,195	R15,451.00
Italy, Czech Republic, and Hungary	R24,080.00	R71,039	R19,703.00
Italy	R10,560.00	R80,134	R14,175.00
France	R13,980.00	R85,851	R15,841.00
Dubai	R15,623.00	R92192.75	R18,812.00
USA	R26,650.00	R217,502.4	R24,699.00
United Kingdom	R18,473.00	R118338.4	R16,933.00
Portugal	R9,460.00	R127,902.4	R7,263.00
France	R10,300.00		R9,243.00
Indonesia	R12,900.00	R85275.4	R11,479.00
Japan	R14,700.00		R13,430.00
Senegal	R8,300.00	R112161.4	R10,562.00
United Kingdom and Northern Ireland	R13,750.00		R15,408.00

1. (bb) Deputy Minister

(a)	(b) (i)	(b) (ii)	(b) (iii)
Russia and India	N/A	N/A	R35,759.00
Brazil	N/A	N/A	R10,165.00
Australia	N/A	N/A	R9,791.00
Ethiopia	N/A	N/A	R3,935.00
Namibia	N/A	R10084.38	R2,349.00
Germany	N/A	R83068.4	R7,071.00
Canada	N/A	R151,326.00	R14,553.00
Germany and Switzerland	N/A	N/A	R28,142.00
Germany	R17,500.00	R100,873.4	R15,725.00
Australia			R 13,737.00

2(a) R1 079 290.

2(b) R550 222

Reply:

As indicated in my media briefing on 24 January 2023 regarding the state of readiness for the academic year 2023, TVET colleges planned headcount enrolment for 2023 is 497 032 for the ministerial approved programmes with additional 59 383 headcount enrolment for programmes that is funded through other funding sources, thus bringing the total planned TVET enrolment for the academic year 2023 to 556 415.

Of the total planned enrolment of 556 415, a total of 480,686 (2022/23: 500,071) ministerial headcount enrolments are currently funded through the baseline funding (Fiscus) provided by the state, with the balance of the enrolments either must be collected via student fees or written off by the respective TVET Colleges. 

The total required budget for this enrolment plan amounts to R14.591 billion of which R14.428 billion is funding by the State with a correlating budget deficit of (R162 million or 1.13% funding deficit) that must be absorbed by TVET Colleges through the recovery of student fees. The state can therefore currently only fund 480,686 TVET Enrolments from the fiscus baseline which is far below the envisaged growth required by the NDP of 2.5 million TVET enrolments by 2030.

The following table reflects the result of minimal baseline growth due to the increase in Consumer Price Index (CPI) and labour on the programme costs which resulted in reduced enrolments:

Description	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24	Decline in State Funded enrolment from 2021/22 to 2023/24
State Funded enrolment	505,770	500,071	480,686	(4.95%)

There has been a decline of approximately 5% in state funded TVET enrolments over the past three (3) financial years. This is predominantly attributable to the impact of COVID-19 on the fiscus envelope, and the numerous budget cuts that have been applied by National Treasury (NT) on the TVET budget allocation resulting in almost no real time growth in the baseline since 2021/22.

Thus, substantial increase of funding is required for expansion of the TVET college sector to meet the National Development Plan targets. The analysis done by the Department has revealed that a required significant funding increase of, up to 100% over the MTEF and up to 300% until the 2030 will be required if the developmental target of 2.5 million TVET students still must be achieved.

As part of the fiscal strategy to close the gap towards the realization of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 target, the TVET branch has held consultative engagements with the South African Colleges Principals Organization (SAPCO) to consider various options to support accelerated access and growth of the sector. A Task Team comprising of senior managers and the leadership of SAPCO was formed and is currently working on the following potential expansion strategies:

• assessment of the available excess infrastructure (classrooms, workshops etc.) to cater for additional enrolments,
• assessment of the capacity of colleges to offer multimodal / hybrid teaching and learning i.e. distance learning,
• acceleration of initiatives for digitizing assessments and online digital content development, and
• assessment of the human resource (i.e. lecturers) capacity to cater for the growth of the sector.

In addition, the Department is aware that the traditional brick and mortar approach is not only costly in terms human resources and physical infrastructure, but it is associated with delays in relation to the timeframes attached to the development of physical infrastructure. This approach not only hampers the timelines in realizing NDP targets but is also time consuming. The Department is currently working on developing a digitization strategy and its first pilot phase will be funded through reprioritization from the current infrastructure budget. The Department is planning to submit the Budget for Infrastructure (BFI) proposal to National Treasury to fund the full phase. The pilot phase will take place during the 2023 academic year, while the full phase will be rolled-out during the 2024 academic year. It should also be noted that this project includes both TVET and CET colleges.

The Department is also mindful that the issue of expansion should not only be funding-focused, but that an integrated approach is also required both aimed at increasing the enrolment numbers and quality education. This integrated approach should include among other:

• Ensuring that there are costs and operational efficiencies regarding the utilization of current resources by colleges.
• Improving governance processes at colleges to attract external funding.
• Accelerating the curriculum transformation process.
• Institutionalizing skills levy funding for skills programmes offered by colleges.
• Strengthening relations with private colleges.
• Exploring opportunities evident from the gap created by Universities of Technologies, as several are currently operating as traditional universities.

Reply:

The Department is not responsible for SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) scholarships. This question should be directed to SASSA and the Department of Social Development.

However, the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) invested and continues to invest in various health-related professions as referred below:

a) R425 Nursing Diploma

Year	Number of students	Budget
2019-2020	478	R37 762 000
2020-2021	400	R31 600 000
2021-2022	203	R16 037 000

b) R174 B Nursing & midwifery

Year	Number of students	Budget
2019-2020	93	R11 160 000
2020-2021	65	R7 800 000
2021-2022	44	R5 280 000

c) R425 Nursing Degree

Year	Number of students	Budget
2019-2020	185	R22 200 000
2020-2021	130	R15 600 000
2021-2022	88	R10 560 000

d) New Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Mental Health)

Year	Number of students	Budget
2019-2020	0	0
2021-2022	0	0
2022-2023	0	0

Reply:

Question 1

a) Despite the challenges experienced by the Aeroswift joint venture partner, the CSIR continued with the technology development and pre-commercialisation activities, which includes, amongst others, the establishment of an expanded team focused towards achieving these goals. There are no current financial challenges on the Aeroswift project.

There is no one “called out” in the forensic report that is currently a member of the Aeroswift project team.

b) Aeroswift is not only aimed at using titanium powder in the additive Manufacturing process.

c) The aviation industry is still one of the identified target markets.

Question 2

a) The key expected deliverables of the project are publications, support to post-graduate students, technology development packages, patents, pre-commercialisation of the Aeroswift technology, and pre-production machine.

b) (i) The DSI’s total investment over the last 14 years is in the order of R183,545 million

(ii) The additional amount required for commercialisation and manufacturing of the pre-production machine is in the process of being determined.

c) The return on the RDI investment is beyond financial and cannot be quantified only in financial terms. The intent is to leverage the technology to position South Africa as a manufacturer of niche 3D printers/Additive manufacturing machines and to strengthen our local manufacturing sector.

d) All specific contractual goals have been met at this point for the pre-commercialisation of the Aeroswift technology.

Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The Public Entities of the department aligned their procurement policies to Regulations 2022 of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000 (Act 5 of 2000) with the focal amendment of implementing specific goals in accordance with the White Paper on Reconstruction and Development, 15 November 1994. The advantage of the changes in legislation is that other than price for goods/services, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment is not the only other criterium of scoring point in the final award of tenders. Instead, Public Entities are now permitted to identify points for specific goals to be incorporated into their tender that contributes to the final points scored together with points for price. It implies, Public Entities can select target markets based on predetermined specific goals. Though Public Entities of the department do not procure from or for other state-owned entities, they are however able to render much more competitive and focused services by now being able to select specific goals in the procurement processes.

Reply:

Independent studies and assessments have been conducted on the impact of the R&D tax incentive. These studies and assessments were considered during the recent policy review of the R&D tax incentive programme, the outcome of which culminated in the Minister of Finance announcing in his 2023 Budget Speech a 10-year extension of the incentive until 31 December 2033. As part of this policy review a Discussion Document was published on 15 December 2021 by the National Treasury and the Department of Science and Innovation, which document referred to and referenced the relevant studies. The Discussion Document is available on the National Treasury’s website.

In terms of impact, the study conducted by James (2017) indicated that companies benefiting from the R&D tax incentive spend an additional R4 million on R&D compared to those who conducted R&D but did not benefit from the incentive. The study indicated that while the revenue foregone between 2008 and 2015 was about R7 billion, the additional R&D spending was nearly R13 billion. This implies that for every one rand of tax revenue foregone by the fiscus, these companies spent an additional R1.83 on R&D. Another study also indicated positive and significant effects associated with the R&D tax incentive, in that companies that received the R&D tax allowance increased in-house R&D investment in terms of expenditure and intensity and reduced technology in-licensing.

Reply:

No, I have not been informed of any of operations of Jintek Technical College (Pty) Ltd without the requisite accreditation and registration with my department. Currently Jintek Technical College (Pty) Ltd is registered with my department to offer the following qualifications:

National Certificate (Vocational): Finance Economics and Accounting – Level 2

National Certificate (Vocational): Management – Level 2

National Certificate (Vocational): Marketing– Level 2

National Certificate (Vocational): Office Management – Level 2

National Certificate (Vocational): Tourism – Level 2

National Certificate: Engineering Studies – N1; N2; and N3.

Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

Name of public entity/institution	(a)	(b)
	(i)	(ii)
	R’000 (per annum)	R’000 (per annum)	R’000 (per annum)
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research	6,168	4,269	Nil
Technology Innovation Agency	2,142	2,234	Nil
South African National Space Agency	2,800	2,415	Nil
Human Sciences Research Council	3,210	2,421	Nil
Academy of Science of South Africa	1,530	1,160	Nil
National Research Foundation	3,966	3,300	Nil

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Name of entity	(a) (i) and (ii)	(b)
National Institute for Human and Social Sciences	(i) Acting CEO salary = R2 603 150.86 (ii) Top Executive salary CFO = R2 263 609.44	No payments for meetings
National Student Financial Aid Scheme	(i) Chief Executive Officer = R3 219 780 (ii) Top executive salary Chief Corporate Services Officer = R1 748 713.58 Chief Operations Officer = R1 748 713.58 Chief Information Officer = R1 722 884.48 Chief Financial Officer = R2 018 518.64	No payments for meetings

No	Entity	What is the salary of each?	i) Chief Executive Officer	ii) Top executive position	What is the total amount does each get paid to attend a meeting?
	Agriculture sector education and training Authority (AGRISETA)		R 2 049 255,59	Chief Financial Officer (CFO) = R 1 880 976,00 Corporate Services: Executive Manager =R 1 567 483.31 ETQA: Executive Manager = R 1 567 483.31 Learning programme: Executive Manager = R 1 567 483.31 Skills Programme & Project: Executive Manager = R 1 567 483.31	Not applicable
	Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA)		R2 067 566.99	Chief Financial Officer = R 1 622 168.55 General Manager: Operations =R 1 622 168.55 General Manager: Corporate Services (Vacant) = R 1 552 314.00	Not applicable
	Council on Higher Education (CHE)		R 2 301 373.26	Chief Financial Officer = R 1 823 489.80 Director: Corporate Services = R 1 772 121.04 Director: National Standards Reviews =R 1 756 677.52 Director: Accreditation =R 1 659 102.60 Director: Research, Monitoring, and Advice =R 1 546 702.18 Director: Institutional Audits =R 1 510 569.96 Director: Management of HEQSF =R 1 402 976.99	Not applicable
	Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA)		R 2 382 608.58	Executive- Governance and Risk =R 2 086 692.36 Acting CFO =R1 326 484.98 Executive Grants and Regions =R 1 721 294.14 Executive Research and Skills Planning =R 1 922 833.07 Executive Corporate Services =R 1 721 294.48 Acting Executive ETQA =R 1 531 210.27	Not applicable
	Construction Sector Education and Training Authority (CETA)		R 1 714 074	Chief Financial Officer = R 1 800 000 Executive Management: Strategic Support =R 1 984 599.96 Executive Management: ETQA & Projects =R 2 088 200.04
	Education, Training and Development Practices (ETDPSETA)		R2 364 053.72	Chief Financial Officer =R1 787 642.16 Chief Risk Officer =R1 787 642.16 Chief Operations Officer =R1 696, 471.44	Not applicable
	Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA)		R 2 090 088	Chief Financial Officer =R 1 404 000 Corporate Services Executive =R 1 541 954.82	Not applicable
	Food and Beverages Manufacturing Industry Sector Education and Authority (FOODBEV)		R 2 493 825.30	Chief Financial Officer =R 1 836 481.14	Not applicable
	Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authorities (HWSETA)		R 2 251 105	Chief Financial Officer =R1 945 371 Executive Manager: Corporate Services =R1 960 976 Executive Manager: Skills Development Programmes = R1 845 502 Executive Manager: ETQA =R1 647 797 Executive Manager: RIME =R1 618 794 Executive Manager: Provincial Offices = R1 714 119	Not applicable
	Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA)		R 2 458 739.75	Executive Manager: Corporate Services =R1 395 636.91 Head: Internal Audit and Risk =R1 399 571.59 Executive Manager: Strategy and Planning =R 1 900 833.48 Chief Financial Officer =R 2 269 526.96 Chief Operation Officer =R 2 338 339.69	Not applicable
	Manufacturing Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MERSETA)		R 2 399 816.88	Chief Financial Officer =R 1 935 359.75 Chief Operation Officer = R 1 935 359.75 Corporate Services =R1 488 310.24	Not applicable
	The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA)		R 2 216 713.20	Chief Information Officer =R 1 760 245.31 Chief Financial Officer = R 2 075 440.03 Board Secretary =R 1 090 628.00 Senior Manager 4IR =R 951 081.71 Senior Manager Learning Programme =R 1 487 170.64 Senior Manager Monitoring and Evaluation =  348 154.08 Senior Manager Corporate Service = R 1 500 603.00 Senior Manager ETQA = R 1 451 862.70 Senior Manager Sector Skills Plan = R 1 090 628.35 Manager Office of the CEO = R 1 063 234.07	Not applicable
	Mining Qualifications  Authority (MQA)		R 2 330 121	Chief Financial Officer = R 1 789 314 Chief Operations Officer =R 1 870 041 EM: Corporate Services =R 1 754 196 Chief Risk Monitoring & Evaluation Officer =R 1 757 840	Not applicable
	Safety and Security Sector Education & Training Authority (SASSETA)		R 2 291 317.32	Chief Financial Officer =R 2 055 805.92 Executive Manager: Corporate Services =R 1 733 309,28 Executive Manager: Learning Programmes =R 1 733 308.92 Executive Manager: Research =R 1 733 308.92	Not applicable
	South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)		R 1 688 372.87	Chief Financial Officer =R1 663 421.16	Not applicable
	Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA)		R 3 600 000	Chief Operations Officer =R 2 605 999.92 Chief Finance Officer =R 2 605 999.92 Company Secretary =R 2 056 188.48 Executive Manager CSU =R 2 468 071.92	Not applicable
	Wholesale and Reatail Sector Education and Training Authority (WRSETA)		R 2 401 999.44	Chief Audit Executive =R 1 635 821 Chief Operations Officer (COO) =R 1 869 971.52 Chief Information Officer =R 1 788 677.04 CFO R 1 898 022.36 Executive Strategic Planning, Performance and Evaluation Executive = R 1 685 263.32 Executice Corporate Services =R 1 788 677.04	Not applicable
	Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA)		R2,076,394.32	Chief Financial Officer = R1,682,720.00 Executive Manager: Learning Programmes = R1,693,477.76 Executive Manager: Research, Monitoring and Evaluation =R1,491,346.48 Executive Manager: Corporate Services =R1,501,276.82
	Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)		R2 195 400.00	Chief Director: Corporate Services – =R1 518 069.00 Chief Director: OQA – =R1 563 948.00 Chief Director: OQM – =R 1 518 069.00
	Financial and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET)		R 2 451 781,92	Chief Operating Officer (currently vacant) = R 2 092 215,24 Chief Financial Officer =R 1 682 113,92
	Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SERVICES SETA)		R 2 802 234.96	Chief Financial Officer =R 1 899 327.32 Executive: Strategy and Planning =R 1 899 327.32 Executive: Core Business =R 2 083 087.20 Executive: Strategic Partnership =R 1 899 327.32 Executive: Corporate Services =R 1 899 327.32
	Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA)		R 2 088 539.43	Chief Financial Officer =R 1 540 597.01 Chief Operations Officer = R 1 558 507.08 Chief Audit Executive =R1 344 449.64
	Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA)		R 1,911,474	General Manager: Research, Planning & Reporting = R 1,186,746.72 Chief Information Officer = R902 027.96 General Manager: Operations, Project &QA = R 1,040,871.49 Chief Financial Officer = R 1,023,853.76
	Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA)		R2 253 176	Executive Manager Operations =R1 780 000 Executive Manager Risk =R 1 650 000 Chief Financial Officer =R1 780 000 Executive Corporate Services = R1 650 000

Reply:

No.	Institution/University	Stage 3	Stage4	Stage 5	Stage 6
1	Cape Peninsula University of Technology (across all campuses)	R30 500.00	R44 650.00	R56 400.00	R82 250.00
2	University of Cape Town	R98 510.00	R131 346.00	R164 183.00	R197 019.00
3	Central University of Technology	Central University of Technology spends about R 39 285.87 per week for both campuses. This is a conservative number since it varies based on the stages of the loadshedding.
4	Durban University of Technology	R5 870.70	R7 044.84	R11 741.40	R16 437.96
5	University of Fort Hare
6	University of the Free State.	R7 747.20	R15 494.40	R20 659.20	R25 824.00
7	University of Johannesburg (across all 4 campuses)	R178 494.63	R535 483.88	R713 978.51	R892 473.13
8	Mangosuthu University of Technology	Unfortunately, we are unable to provide information on the cost of diesel under each of the different stages of load shedding; however, we are able to advise that it costs MUT approximately R123 026 per month when generators are used during load shedding. This is based on the load shedding on 2 hours per day.
9	University of Mpumalanga
10	Nelson Mandela University (across all campuses)	R75 600.00	R100 800.00	R108 360.00	R115 920.00
11	North-West University (3 campuses)	R196 800.00	R295 200.00	R392 600.00	R492 000.00
12	University of Pretoria (with two campuses in close proximity to hospitals not experiencing load shedding – figures per day)	R1 200 933.00	R1 501 167.00	R1 801 400.00	R2 201 711.00
13	Rhodes University	It’s difficult for the Rhodes University to show the spend per Stage of loadshedding. We can however show the spend on diesel for the year. It is evident that as the year progressed and the stages increased, the spend on diesel increased substantially.
14	Sefako Makgatho University	R1 233.00	R1 513.00	R2 104.00	R2 603.00
15	Sol Plaatje University	R3 880.80	R7 276.50	R7 276.50	R8 731.80
16	University of South Africa	UNISA does do not keep track of expenditure per stage of loadshedding and is therefore not able to provide data in that format. Expenditure schedule attached.
17	Stellenbosch University *across the 4 campuses)	R194 221.00	R234 576.00	R288 473.00	R342 739.00
18	Tshwane University of Technology (6 Campuses)	R26 250.00	R39 375.00	R42 000.00	R42 000.00
19	University of the Western Cape	R21 871.00	R33 333.00	R41 667.00	R49 911.00
20	University of Zululand	The University of Zululand does not have many generators. We, therefore, do not have an astronomical diesel account for load shedding, but the reality is that we are in dire need of generators and a budget for diesel for the generators if the load shedding is going to continue as is.

 

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA: LOADSHEDDING EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN

Month	Monthly Usage	Days	Daily Usage
	R		R
Jan & Feb 2020	246947,60	60	4115,79
Mar-20	63151,70	31	2037,15
Apr,May & Jun 2020	25035,81	122	205,21
Aug-20	17518,29	31	565,11
Sep-20	18040,43	30	601,35
Oct-20	33725,10	31	1087,91
Nov-20	80989,16	30	2699,64
Dec-20	90871,96	31	2931,35
Jan & Feb 2021	26888,58	59	455,74
Mar-21	15948,16	31	514,46
Apr-21	53977,89	30	1799,26
May-21	81001,58	31	2612,95
Jun-21	41150,90	30	1371,70
Jul, Aug & Sep 2021	27000,00	92	293,48
Oct-21	52672,14	31	1699,10
Nov-21	45000,00	30	1500,00
Dec-21	248158,77	31	8005,12
Jan & Feb 2022	45000,00	59	762,71
Mar-22	63000,00	31	2032,26
Apr-22	72000,00	30	2400,00
May-22	130991,80	31	4225,54
Jun-22	93352,60	30	3111,75
Jul-22	545811,47	31	17606,82
Aug-22	563791,45	31	18186,82
Sep-22	296575,74	30	9885,86
Oct-22	897823,41	31	28962,05
Nov-22	430533,29	30	14351,11
Dec-22	1159115,82	31	37390,83
Jan-23	795095,57	31	25648,24
Feb-23	1107191,50	28	39542,55
Mar-23	44795,89	3	14931,96

Reply:

​1. 

1.1 On the 03 February 2023, the University of Venda successfully traced and apprehended one of its Junior Administrative staff members who was allegedly soliciting bribes from prospective students. His modus operandi was to contact students who had applied for admissions at the University and had received notification to accept admission to the programme of their choice. He called students, informing them that they would not be admitted since the spaces are being taken up, but if they paid him money, he would enable them to be admitted. The staff member concerned was immediately suspended pending the finalisation of the contemplated disciplinary action against him. It is important to note that the staff member had no access to admission and registration process since the whole process is conducted via the Online System.

 

1.2  On 08 February 2023, the University learned through social media reports (Twitter) of the allegations of a needy student seeking admission and placement at the University of Venda. Upon receipt of the allegations, the University through its Legal Services Department conducted an investigation which revealed the following:-

1.2.1 The alleged victim posted on a Facebook page called UNIVEN-Students UPDATES & Fun, asking for assistance to apply for PGCE at the University. This page called UNIVEN-Students UPDATES & Fun, does not belong to the University of Venda.

1.2.2  In response thereto, the victim received an inbox message on her Facebook account from one Amukelani who indicated that there is Skhumbuzo Venda who could assist the victim with application, as he (Skhumbuzo) also assisted her (Amukelani) to apply for PGCE and she is waiting for admission. Amukelani also provided the victim with contact numbers of Skhumbuzo Venda, and the victim started communicating with Skhumbuzo.

1.2.3 According to the victim, Skhumbuzo is the one who assisted her throughout the application process to the completion stage. Co-incidentally, within a period of ten minutes of the completion and uploading her application on the University application portal, the victim received a WhatsApp text message from one Tshilidzi Isaac Mulidzi soliciting a bribe amounting to R3 500.00 for her admission to the program.

1.2.4 The University of Venda does not have a staff member by the name of Tshilidzi Isaac Mulidzi, nor does the University have an employee and/or student by the name of Skhumbuzo Venda.

1.2.5 When 2023 admissions commenced, the University issued a communique to members of the public advising them to communicate with Univen officials via the University contact details appearing on its website for information and assistance. Skhumbuzo Venda and Tshilidzi Isaac Mulidzi are not amongst the University of Venda contact persons.

1.2.6 The investigation revealed that the victim never communicated with the University official/s regarding her application. The University is in possession of screen shots of the victims Facebook posts on UNIVEN-Students Updates & Fun, WhatsApp conversation between the victim and Skhumbuzo Venda, and Mr Tshilidzi Isaac Mulidzi.

1.2.7 From the information gathered, the complainant was a victim of a Facebook scam.

2. RESPONSE TO PARLIAMETARY QUESTIONS RAISED:

a) Following the suspension of the Staff Member, the University of Venda Management initiated disciplinary action in accordance with its Disciplinary Code and Procedure against the staff member. The staff member will be subjected to a disciplinary enquiry. If the staff member is found guilty of misconduct, he will be dismissed, this should deter other employees from committing a similar offence.

b) steps his department taken to prevent the incident from occurring again

All staff members at the University of Venda have been warned against any corrupt activity within their sphere of operations in the Admissions Section. The whole University Community was also warned against such activities. Media statements were issued to the public against such involvement or engagement.

c) number of similar incidents have been reported to (i) his department and/or (ii) to him?

There is just one incident which the University of Venda is attending to currently.

Reply:

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) has Guides to Good Practice for the Quality Management of Short Courses. Universities and private higher education institutions are engaged in offering short courses that, where appropriate, could lead to part qualifications or qualifications. This is done to enable institutions to meet the rapidly increasing demand to equip both the young and mature members of the public with knowledge and skills.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a suite of free online short courses that are hosted in partnership with Futurelearn, Getsmarter and Coursera. There are no entry requirements, a participant can choose to purchase a certificate upon completion.

The partnership with Coursera was launched in partnership with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Technologies so that free online courses are made available to young people.

The University of Johannesburg offers free fully online courses to members of the public.

The University of the Witwatersrand also] offers free online courses. These courses are on the edX platform. Like UCT the online courses are free, participants may purchase the certificates of completion. The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) has also adopted Massive Open Online Courses or offering of free online courses to increase access as per the HE ACT.

 

Reply:

1. The upgrading of the existing fence surrounding the land acquired by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), which was recently declared as the Meerkat National Park, will enable SANParks to manage the land as an environmentally protected area and provide opportunities for multi-disciplinary research. It is in the best interests of all parties to commence with the upgrade of the fence as soon as possible, and SARAO has endeavoured to keep local stakeholders informed and explored mitigation measures in the interim.

2. SARAO was able to confirm funding for the Meerkat National Park Fencing (MNPF) project in December 2022. The funding was secured as part of the overall SKA funding support from the Department of Science and Innovation. The project team, in collaboration with SANParks, has prepared the required fencing specifications - which is approximately 223km long - and undertook a successful cost optimization workshop in early February 2023 to ensure value for money in the delivery of the project.

3. The tender documentation is currently being finalised and the tender will be advertised in early April through relevant procurement portals. The fence construction project is expected to last for about 30 months after the award of the contract. SARAO will continue to work with local stakeholders to address and mitigate risks during construction.

Reply:

The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for determining the upcoming Zimbabwean Exemption Permits deadline for students who would like to further their studies and/or continue their current studies in the Republic. Students are allowed to apply for their study permits, the current permit deadline date is 30 June 2023.

The Department of Higher Education and Training has however, put in the necessary measures to ensure the enablement of internationalisation in the higher education space and ensure that there are no constraints hindering prospective international students to study in South Africa, within the allowed parameters. Structures that have been put in place include the overarching Policy Framework for Internalization of Higher Education guiding the mobility of student and staff in higher education.

Other measures that have been put in place to enable continuous and purposeful integration of students into the domestic learning environment in alignment with the Department’s internationalisation mission at local universities include the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Education and Training. This international agreement is designed to enable student and lecturer mobility within the SADC region. This agreement requires all member states to reserve at least 5% of admission for students from SADC national, other than their own. South Africa at this stage hosts the largest number of international students within the SADC region than any other member country.

Reply:

a) Both Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) confirmed that NSFAS paid R80 394 towards the student’s account for the 2021 academic year. However, TUT submitted claims to NSFAS of R21 481,31 as part of the close out and historic debt project towards the student’s fee account as follows:

YEAR	NSFAS TO PAY
2018	R 511,51
2019	R 19 321,47
2020	R 801,49
2021	R 846,84
2022	-
Total amount	R 21 481,31

The years 2018, 2019 and 2020 are currently being reconciled as part of the close out and historic debt project. Universities have been given the close out files depicting the status of funding for their affected students to proceed and assist student where NSFAS has agreed or confirmed the students as NSFAS beneficiaries.

b) TUT indicated that the student graduated in May 2022 after receiving a letter confirming completion of her qualification, which is a minimum requirement for students with an outstanding debt. TUT practice is aligned with the USAf approved Guidelines for Issuing Public Universities Academic Records for students with outstanding debt. The TUT practice is that all students who have completed their studies receive a confirmation letter indicating that they have completed the qualification and will only obtain the certificate after their debt has been settled. All students who have completed their studies are also allowed to graduate.

COMPILER DETAILS

NAME AND SURNAME:

CONTACT:

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Director-General sign Parliamentary Question 174.

DR NKOSINATHI SISHI

DIRECTOR–GENERAL: HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

DATE:

PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 174 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.

COMMENT/S

DR BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

DATE:

Reply:

In accordance with the Higher Education Act (Act 101 of 1997) as amended, universities are required to develop rules and policies that, amongst others, regulate provision of accommodation to students. Allocation of beds at universities should therefore be undertaken in accordance with university policies and processes.

Universities should, in accordance with their policies, place several students in both first year and continuing categories who have applied for accommodation spaces, in university owned/managed residences and where necessary in accredited private accommodation. Where necessary universities have also adopted a leasing approach. Some institutions (both universities and TVET colleges) have a challenge of accommodation, where the areas the campuses are located have no suitable accommodation that can be accredited or leased for placement of students. These institutions have applied for a deviation from the NSFAS Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for NSFAS funded students. The deviation, where approved, will allow students who need accommodation to reside in accommodation that is not yet accredited and assisted with allowances. This may explain why students are without accommodation.

However, universities have also indicated that some students do not apply for accommodation in advance but arrive at the institution and demand accommodation. Universities have prepared spaces for such emergencies and students are allocated temporary beds until their registration is finalized.

I have not received any official complaints about corrupt activities that involve allocation of accommodation to students. If any illegal activity is reported to the Department, we have a process in place to get reports from universities and ensure that matters such as these are dealt with adequately and those found guilty are punished.

COMPILER DETAILS

NAME AND SURNAME:

CONTACT:

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Director-General sign Parliamentary Question 314.

DR NKOSINATHI SISHI

DIRECTOR–GENERAL: HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

DATE:

PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 314 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.

COMMENT/S

DR BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

DATE:

Reply:

a) The Department of Higher Education and Training has embarked on further consultations with the banking sector as well as the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) to explore options for a credit guarantee model before an application for a credit guarantee can be submitted to National Treasury by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.

b) The first engagement took place on 21 February 2023 with officials from BASA and Nedbank outlining the data requirements that will inform the models for credit risk; interest rate models; government liability; payment terms etc, as required and will be followed with further bi-lateral engagements with the remaining banks.

COMPILER DETAILS

NAME AND SURNAME:

CONTACT:

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Director-General sign Parliamentary Question 295.

DR NKOSINATHI SISHI

DIRECTOR–GENERAL: HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

DATE:

PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 295 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.

COMMENT/S

DR BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

DATE:

Reply:

1. The most recent study by the World Bank/IFC 2021” Market Assessment: The Student Housing Landscape in South Africa” was used to estimate the NSFAS cap of R45,000.

According to the study student accommodation market in South Africa is categorised as follows.

i) The first, and lowest-income bracket, is the affordable and NSFAS student. accommodation market.

ii)  The second market segment is the mid-student accommodation market. This market targets middle income students with an affordability range of between ZAR 3,000 – ZAR 4,500 per month. Such student accommodation typically provides larger sized bedrooms compared to the affordable and NSFAS market with auxiliary amenities and services such as student support services, entertainment areas and other social amenities and is often occupied by students who ‘top-up’ their NSFAS accommodation allowances.

iii) The final market segment is classified as the upper-end student accommodation market and is typically integrated into a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation development. Such rooms or units are marketed as a premium package which consists of larger rooms, private kitchen and bathroom amenities and higher quality finishes than standard rooms. These premium packages may also include the use of student services and other amenities which may be included in the room price. The price point of upper-end student housing between ZAR 5,000 – ZAR 8,000 per month but can be as high as over ZAR 14,000 in some exclusive nodes and developments.

Given the diversified market for student accommodation, NSFAS settled for the middle ground with is the second market segment based on affordability.

2. Yes, there is a process through NSFAS to unpack the cost structure of various student accommodation segments to understand what the accommodation rental includes. This will assist government to negotiate with the landlords and institutions the type of costs that government will consider and fund for the NSFAS funded students. This process will also avoid incidences of double dipping from other grants offered by the Department to institutions.

Additionally, NSFAS is developing a grading process to be able to cater for costs where there are services offered over and above the Minimum Norms and Standards for Students Housing.

3. Institutions are requested to allocate accommodation that is within the cap for NSFAS funded students. NSFAS will be engaging also with accommodation providers to consider accommodating NSFAS funded students within the cap amount of R45,000.

COMPILER DETAILS

NAME AND SURNAME:

CONTACT:

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Director-General sign Parliamentary Question 146.

DR NKOSINATHI SISHI

DIRECTOR–GENERAL: HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

DATE:

PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 146 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.

COMMENT/S

DR BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

DATE:

Reply:

	Minister	Former Minister	Deputy Minister	Deputy Minister
(a)	(i) N/A	(ii) N/A	(iii) (a) BMW (b) BMW	(ii) N/A
(b)	(i) N/A	(i) N/A	(ii) (a) X3 XDRIVE 20D (b) X3 XDRIVE 20D	(i) N/A
(c)	(i) N/A	(i) N/A	(ii) (a) 2021 (b) 2021	(i) N/A
(d)	(i) N/A	(i) N/A	(ii) (a) R761 199.40 (b) R768 666.99	(i) N/A
(e)	(i) N/A	(i) N/A	(ii) (a)12/10/2021 (b)20/12/2021	(i) N/A

Reply:

List of Minister’s trips in last 6 months (1 August 2022 until 31 January 2023)

(a)(i)	(a)(ii)	(b)(i)
Date	Country	Purpose	Achieved objectives
31 August to 2 September 2022	Indonesia	G20 Education Working Group and Minister’s Meetings	Minister participated in the Education Minister's meeting held in Bali on 1September 2022. Ministers discussed the G20 education agenda under Indonesian Presidency namely, universal education, digital technology in education, solidarity and partnerships in education and future of work. The Ministers welcomed the Report and Compendium from the Education Working Group meeting on education strategies in 26 countries detailing more than 150 programs and best practices. The Minister held bilateral meetings with the i) UNESCO Assistant Director-general for Education, Ms Stefania Giannini to share updates regarding the Transformation Education Summit and South Africa’s participation thereof at this landmark event and updated each other on UNESCO work in the field of higher education. The Minister also met with the ii) Brazilian Minister of Education, HE Victor Godoy Beige and agreed on deepening cooperation with BRICS countries and agreed to renew the MOU focusing on skills development for green economy in the context of green energy and hydrogen research, exchange delegation of officials to visit each other's countries to study each other's systems and learn from each other.
30 September to 8 October 2022	Japan	The Minister undertook an official visit to Japan to participate in the 19th Annual Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum and bilateral engagements at the margins of the Forum.	As part of Minister’s participation at the STS Forum, the Minister shared the platform with the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Kishida in the opening plenary session of the Forum where he delivered a speech on the topic: “The World in 2022 - What do we need from Science”. At the margins of the Forum, Minister attended the following courtesy bilateral meetings with: Dr Mariya Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf, Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands (where an MoU on STI between the two countries was signed), Minister NAGAOKA Keiko, Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Deputy Minister Sallehi of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Ishizuka, President of the New Energy Industrial Development Organization (NEDO) Dr Hashimoto, President of the Japanese Science and Technology Agency (JST) Vice Minister MAKOTO Nagamine, Japanese Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry These meetings provided an opportunity to strengthen STI cooperation particularly with Japan and with the EU, the Netherlands, and Iran.
19 to 21 October 2022	Senegal	Official visit, to Senegal to participate in a consultative and planning meeting on Panafrika’s Postgraduate University for Policy studies in Africa	Participation in the PanAfrika Postgraduate University for Policy Studies in Africa consultative meeting The Minister participated in the consultative and planning meeting of the PanAfrika Postgraduate University for Policy Studies in Africa on 21 October 2022. The consultative meeting was arranged by the Southern Africa Political Economy Series (SAPES) Trust in partnership with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). The purpose of the consultative and planning meeting was to mobilise resources and support for the PanAfrika University. The SAPES Trust was seeking support from partners for a Planning Grant for the Inception Phase of the project. The consultative and planning meeting seeks to come up with an organisational design for the university to make it a success and sustainable institution. Minister agreed to support the establishment of the PanAfrika University, given the need to strengthen the social science and humanities research in the continent, which is critical in solving Africa’s pressing challenges and unlocking Africa’s potential. A meeting with Prof Moussa Balde, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Senegal The Minister was able to hold a Ministerial bilateral meeting with his Senegalese counterpart, Prof Balde, who is the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The meeting allowed the two ministers to review the achievements of the cooperation since the signing of the bilateral agreement and to identify areas of opportunities that the two countries can jointly pursue as a mutual response to the socio-economic development challenges of the two countries. Visit the Cheick Anta Diop University. Minister Nzimande also visited Cheick Anta Diop University, which is one of the key Universities in Senegal that has been playing a critical role in the human capital development element of some of the key bilateral programmes. The meeting allowed for the identification of exchange programmes for students and lectures, especially in the areas the University is strong.
19 November 2022	United Kingdom	The Minister travelled to the UK as part of the Presidential entourage, on the King’s invitation. Minister Nzimande also attended to bilateral consultations with the UK counterparts on the STI and higher education cooperation matters. The Minister further advanced cooperation on hydrogen with the University of Teesside during the signing of an MoU with Stellenbosch University.	Significantly the visit saw the re-signing of the MoU on STI with the UK government. These cooperation efforts advanced our science diplomacy with one of our long standing, traditional and historic partners, the UK.