Questions and Replies

Reply:

(a) Wage negotiations and agreements take place within the Institutional Bargaining Forum, and the Minister may not intervene in wage negotiations. The University under the leadership of the Council must resolve the current deadlock using the various mechanisms available to them, including dispute resolution.

Section 34 (1) and (3) of the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 (ACT), as amended which state the following:

(1) The council of a public higher education institution must appoint the employees of the public higher education institution.

(3) The council must determine the conditions of service, disciplinary provisions, privileges and functions of the employees of the public higher education institution, subject to the applicable labour law

(b) The ACT does not permit Minister to concede to the demands of staff at universities.

Reply:

The Department has not commissioned an investigation into the awarding of qualifications at the UFH. The allegations on the awarding of degrees, amongst others, are under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) under the proclamation R.84 of 2022, as published in the Government Gazette No 47199 of 5 August 2022. The Minister has engaged the SIU and awaits the completed Report of the SIU.

Reply:

1. Following the report on the University of South Africa that alleges deep-rooted corruption in the institution and its management.

• 1. How does the Department intend to intervene?

Assuming that the Report in question is the Report of the Independent Assessor, Prof Themba Mosia, the Minister has shared the Report with the Council of the University for its response as required by the Higher Education Act (Act No. 101 of 1997, as amended) (the Act). Minister subsequently received the report in the form of a package (the size of two shoe boxes) on 12 June 2023 at the time of drafting an answer to the question from the Honourable Mogale. Before Minister makes any decision, he needs to consider the findings and recommendations of the Report, the Council’s response thereto, as well the interests of UNISA as per the prescripts of the Higher Education Act.

1.2 By what date will the specified intervention occur?

Minister will intervene as soon as he has considered Unisa’s response which is currently being processed by the legal team and relevant officials.

1. Support provided by the Department to the University Management over the concerns that were raised prior to the report being released over the past five years.

 

• 1. In the past, the Department supported Management with addressing accreditation challenges, providing requisite funding for key projects to enhance campus safety and access, and intervened when responses to student complaints were inadequate, throughputs were declining and the underspending of earmarked grants persisted, by engaging Management on corrective steps.

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training always engages with university management teams, Student representative Councils (SRC), South African Union of Students (SAUS) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to resolve genuine student concerns raised with me and the Department. Some of these discussions’ pre-date the registration period as challenges is experienced during registration period. The Minister holds meetings with Vice-Chancellor (through USAf), Students (SRCs through SAUS) and NSFAS to ensure that universities are ready to commence the following academic year and any challenge foreseen is resolved.

The issues that become the subject of university protest are both sectorial and institutional. Where a national intervention is required, the Department attends to the matters. It should be noted that some of the issues raised at a national level require medium- and long-term planning. These are being addressed in some way or another, but many may take time to address especially those that have significant financial implications, such as student accommodation shortages, funding for postgraduates and missing middle students. All management teams of all universities engage regularly with their Student Representative Councils (SRCs) on matters that are specific to the institutions.

The Department has been engaging and providing guidance and support to all universities that experienced protests including the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the University of the Western Cape. It also continues to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that when protests become violent there are no lives lost and university property is protected.

Reply:

The Department has allocated funding for the finalisation of feasibility reports and development of concept designs which should be completed by the end of the 2023/24 financial year. The funding for the actual construction will be finalized by September 2023.

The details designs will determine the actual construction period. However, the preliminary targets are for the institution to be completed in 2026/7 financial year.

Reply:

1. Common and widespread issues leading to student protests.
   1. Most student protests occur at the beginning of the academic year between January and end of March of every year. Challenges that bring about student protests vary from year to year. In 2015 and 2016, the key issues were around free education. In 2018 and 2019, the demands of students included funding of the missing middle and postgraduate studies, academic and financial exclusions, accommodation, transport allowances for students not living in university-managed accommodation, issuing of academic records for students who are indebted to universities, as well as insourcing of university services such as cleaning, catering, and security.

• 1. During 2020 and 2021, concerns raised by students included blended teaching and learning access to teaching and learning assistive devices (data, laptops, etc.), online examinations where most students demanded physical examinations whilst the rest preferred online, and Covid-19 vaccination (access and willingness of students to vaccinate).

• 1. The common and widespread issues raised by students at the beginning of the 2022 academic year were on academic and financial exclusions; National Student Financial Assistance Scheme (NSFAS) funding; funding for the “missing middle” and postgraduate students; student debt; fee increases; student accommodation shortages, safety and security issues including Gender-based violence (GBV).

1. Steps taken to address issues.

• 1. The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) has analyzed the issues raised by students and has noted that some of the issues, given that our institutions are autonomous, will require institutional responses and intervention to resolve them while others are systemic issues and would require a structured and organized intervention from the Department and its relevant entities. It should be noted that some of the issues raised at a national level require medium- and long-term planning. These are being addressed in some way or another, but many may take time to address especially those that have significant financial implications, such as student accommodation shortages, funding for postgraduates and missing middle students. Some concerns resulted in policy review, development of regulations as interventions.

• 1. At the national level, I and the Department have continuous engagements with the stakeholders to ensure concerns raised by students receive attention and are attended to. In 2023, officials from the Department conducted institutional visits during registration to receive registration updates and reports on any challenges that may arise and assist institutions to deal with these challenges.

• 1. With regards to institutional related matters, the Department encourages regular engagements between university management and Student Representative Councils (SRCs) to resolve the concerns of students. All universities that experienced protests had engagements with SRCs and reached agreements on several issues, as a result protests ended. The Department monitors these engagements to ensure that they are fair and produce the intended results. The Department also continues to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that when protests become violent, that there are no lives lost and university property is protected.

Reply:

Industry, together with universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, need to be more responsive to each other in understanding and communicating training needs, including sharing information with respect to skills development across the renewable energy value chain. This requires that there is a collaborative effort to jointly assess existing skill requirements and offerings, identify gaps and put in place training interventions. To catalyse such engagement between industries, the various types of training providers and SETAs, facilitation, either by an industry association, government department or agency or a funded intermediary, may be required. This will have more impact in consolidation existing knowledge than establishing satellite campuses to specialise in renewable energy.

The Department of Higher Education and Training through the National Skills Fund (NSF) made available R105.5 million for the establishment of the South African Renewable Energy and Technology Centre (SARETEC) at the Bellville Campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

This Project, supported by ESKOM; the South African National Energy Development Institute; Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MerSETA); Department of Energy (DoE); University of Stellenbosch; Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Northlink TVET College addresses the current constraints of the lack of suitable practical skills and work experience in the renewable energy industries. This is in response to the DoE’s Integrated Resource Plan, which commits to procure 800 Mega Watts of renewable energy over the next 20 years.

SARETEC is in the process of being accredited by the Quality Council on Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for various topics relating to renewable energy. According to the information from SARETEC the Centre issues attendance certificates stating modules or courses completed. The two qualifications are quality assured by the QCTO and the offerings are based on SAQA unit standards and are offered by the appropriate SETAs. The quality development partner is MerSeta.

The following universities offer qualifications and courses in Renewable Energy:

• The Central University of Technology provides a Higher Certificate in Renewable Energy Technologies
• The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is in the process of getting accreditation of the Master of Engineering in Smart Grid
• Nelson Mandela University offers qualifications and learning programmes in Renewable Energy Engineering.
• The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of the Witwatersrand offers learning programmes and courses in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• The University of Cape Town offers the Master of Science in Engineering specialising in Sustainable Energy Engineering and the Master of Philosophy specialising in Energy and Development Studies through their Energy Research Centre
• The Tshwane University of Technology has a Centre for Energy and Electric Power in the Engineering Faculty, which carries out research and contract work for industry and the community. There is also a short learning programme on Energy Management for a Sustainable South Africa offered by the Centre.
• The North-West University (NWU) offers learning programmes in Renewable Energy within the Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering degrees. NWU also offers modules in Indigenous Knowledge and Renewable Energy Sources for Sustainable Livelihood in the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge Systems
• The University of Pretoria provides learning programmes in Renewable Energy in the Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Electrical Engineering and Master of Engineering degrees.

In relation to the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) is actively involved in renewable energy initiatives and programmes that contribute significantly to the scarce and priority skills in the renewable energy sector.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) commissioned a study to gain insight into the renewable energy sector’s skills needs, gaps and possible interventions to address these. The Green Cape and the Department of Higher Education and Training are engaging on the results of this study.

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training does not have any policy for institutions of higher learning regarding the nature and kind of organisations that may operate on campuses of higher learning. The Higher Education Act (101 of 1997) as amended has entrusted the Council of a university with the role to govern the institution and the principal (Vice-Chancellor) with the responsibility to manage the institution and oversee the administration. Therefore, universities policies are developed by universities and approved by councils as determined by their statutes.

The Department is not aware of the operations of the World Mission Society Church of God at universities. More information in this regard will be sourced through Universities South Africa and made available to Parliament.

Reply:

In terms of section 27 (1) the Higher Education Act, it is the Council of a public higher education institution which must govern the institution. In respect of financial mismanagement or presumed corruption, especially where an institution does not comply with conditions linked to allocations from money appropriated by Parliament, Minister may request the Council to comply. In terms of Section 42, should the Council not comply within a predetermined timeframe, Minister may withhold payments of further allocations.

The Higher Education Act further provides that the Minister may:

1. issue a directive to the council of a public higher education institution if the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the Council or the management of that public higher education institution is involved in financial impropriety, or the public higher education institution is being otherwise mismanaged.
2. appoint an independent assessor if circumstances arise at a public higher education institution that involve financial or other maladministration of a serious nature; or seriously undermine the effective functioning of the public higher education institution.
3. appoint an administrator, if an audit of the financial records of a public higher education institution or the report by an independent assessor or any other report or information reveals financial or other maladministration of a serious nature or serious undermining of the effective functioning of the public higher education institution.

The Minister has intervened in several institutions by appointing independent assessors to conduct investigations into various allegations of mismanagement and other maladministration; and where reports reveal maladministration of a serious nature, administrators have been appointed to identify and initiate processes and initiatives that restore proper governance and management. In addition, directives have been issued to some institutions to direct on steps to be taken to remedy various deficiencies that would have been identified.

In the instance of compromised qualifications, the Minister may request the Council of Higher Education to provide conduct quality assurance on the relevant qualification/s and thereafter act on the recommendations provided by the CHE.

Reply:

a) I reported that the South African government allocated R47 billion to fund approximately 900 000 NSFAS beneficiaries in the 2023 academic year. This represents a 7% increase in the number of students that are eligible for NSFAS compared to the previous fiscal year. In 2023 academic year, an inflation linked increase of 5% was also applied on all allowances (excluding living allowances). Living allowance increment across the board NSFAS was R 1 650 per month.

Different entities or institutions have responded differently to crises of food security, and food bank projects were developed in most cases, to illustrate:

1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology has an interim food support programme wherein students are supported with food parcels and vouchers.

2. University of Cape Town provides care packs with non – perishable food items and toiletries from donated goods and donated vouchers.

3. Central University of Technology introduced the Thusanang project aimed at assisting all students who are financially challenged and academically deserving, particularly those without any form of financial support such as loans or bursaries during their period of studies.

4. Durban University of Technology initiated the Phakimpilo (Serve life) programme which commenced in 2020 during lockdown period. The programme provided spar vouchers to mostly postgraduate students.

5. University of Fort Hare introduced a food programme to assist students identified, assessed, and approved to receive assistance.

6. University of the Free State has food banks on all three campuses that provide nutritious food packages to students on a weekly basis. UFS launched a vegetable garden initiative that provides fresh vegetables that are distributed in addition to the standard items included in the food parcels.

7. University of Johannesburg provides a student meal assistance programme which offers meal packs to qualifying students.

8. University of KwaZulu-Natal has established a Food Security Task Team to develop a strategy and action plan that will realise the vision of one meal a day for every student going forward. Currently, limited food parcels/ meal vouchers are available to students on referral/ request.

9. University of Limpopo has through the Hands of compassion – donations to needy students provided a Soup kitchen or a meal a day offered during the examination period.

Food parcels are also available to non-funded students.

10. University of Mpumalanga was approached by a non-profit organization, Kago Yabana Foundation to provide free meals to needy students for a period of one month.

11. Nelson Mandela University signed an MOU with Tiger Brands who provide contents for nutrition packs for indigent students. This MOU has been in place since 2003.

12. North – West University supplies food hampers to needy students

13. University of Pretoria’s Student Nutrition and Progress has been in practice since 1990.

14. Sefako Makgatho University has a vibrant food security project called Hands of Compassion established in 2016 to assist students who are not beneficiaries of any financial support.

15. Stellenbosh University has a main food project called #Move4food which is focused on assisting in emergency situations and is usually a once-off financial assistance.

16. Tshwane University of Technology has established the Food Hamper Crisis intervention programme.

17. University of Venda provides food parcels through its project Thohoyazie. It also has a Social Responsibility Fund, which is intended to assist needy students, coordinated by the Convocation and Alumni Office. Students are assisted as and when they approach the university for assistance. During the second semester 2020, the university received food parcels donated by the Professional Provident Society Foundation and handed them to indigent students.

18. University of the Western Cape provides ad-hoc food support programs for residence students, sports athletes and for emergency relief, especially during the examination period.

19. University of the Witwatersrand supports gardens and a daily meal programme.

The following TVET Colleges also provide food parcels to their students: Goldfields College, False Bay College, Northlink College and South Cape TVET College.

Reply:

a) I reported that the South African government allocated R47 billion to fund approximately 900 000 NSFAS beneficiaries in the 2023 academic year. This represents a 7% increase in the number of students that are eligible for NSFAS compared to the previous fiscal year. In 2023 academic year, an inflation linked increase of 5% was also applied on all allowances (excluding living allowances). Living allowance increment across the board NSFAS was R 1 650 per month.

Different entities or institutions have responded differently to crises of food security, and food bank projects were developed in most cases, to illustrate:

1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology has an interim food support programme wherein students are supported with food parcels and vouchers.

2. University of Cape Town provides care packs with non – perishable food items and toiletries from donated goods and donated vouchers.

3. Central University of Technology introduced the Thusanang project aimed at assisting all students who are financially challenged and academically deserving, particularly those without any form of financial support such as loans or bursaries during their period of studies.

4. Durban University of Technology initiated the Phakimpilo (Serve life) programme which commenced in 2020 during lockdown period. The programme provided spar vouchers to mostly postgraduate students.

5. University of Fort Hare introduced a food programme to assist students identified, assessed, and approved to receive assistance.

6. University of the Free State has food banks on all three campuses that provide nutritious food packages to students on a weekly basis. UFS launched a vegetable garden initiative that provides fresh vegetables that are distributed in addition to the standard items included in the food parcels.

7. University of Johannesburg provides a student meal assistance programme which offers meal packs to qualifying students.

8. University of KwaZulu-Natal has established a Food Security Task Team to develop a strategy and action plan that will realise the vision of one meal a day for every student going forward. Currently, limited food parcels/ meal vouchers are available to students on referral/ request.

9. University of Limpopo has through the Hands of compassion – donations to needy students provided a Soup kitchen or a meal a day offered during the examination period.

Food parcels are also available to non-funded students.

10. University of Mpumalanga was approached by a non-profit organization, Kago Yabana Foundation to provide free meals to needy students for a period of one month.

12. Nelson Mandela University signed an MOU with Tiger Brands who provide contents for nutrition packs for indigent students. This MOU has been in place since 2003.

13. North – West University supplies food hampers to needy students

14. University of Pretoria’s Student Nutrition and Progress has been in practice since 1990.

15. Sefako Makgatho University has a vibrant food security project called Hands of Compassion established in 2016 to assist students who are not beneficiaries of any financial support.

16. Stellenbosh University has a main food project called #Move4food which is focused on assisting in emergency situations and is usually a once-off financial assistance.

17. Tshwane University of Technology has established the Food Hamper Crisis intervention programme.

18. University of Venda provides food parcels through its project Thohoyazie. It also has a

Social Responsibility Fund, which is intended to assist needy students, coordinated by

the Convocation and Alumni Office. Students are assisted as and when they approach the university for assistance. During the second semester 2020, the university received food parcels donated by the Professional Provident Society Foundation and handed them to indigent students.

19. University of the Western Cape provides ad-hoc food support programs for residence students, sports athletes and for emergency relief, especially during the examination period.

20. University of the Witwatersrand supports gardens and a daily meal programme.

The following TVET Colleges also provide food parcels to their students: Goldfields College, False Bay College, Northlink College and South Cape TVET College.

Reply:

South Point are private providers of student accommodation and support several universities in the Western Cape and Gauteng. The Department is not aware of complaints about South Point and has not received any complaints from students on accommodation provided by South Point. Hon. Marais is requested to provide more details about the complaints so that further investigations can be conducted, and comprehensive response be provided.

Reply:

I am concerned about the safety of students and staff members at all the institutions of higher learning.

Following certain outbursts by senior management in the media, I have tabled the protection of whistle blowers on the agenda for discussion with the Council of the University of Fort Hare.

The University of Fort Hare has in the interim confirmed that the Council expedited the finalization and approval of the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures, through which any information brought forth would be investigated in a fair and regulated manner. We are advised that the policy makes provision for protection of staff members and students who have alerted the university to corrupt conducts and acts.

Reply:

The proliferation of satellites launched into low earth orbit around the earth for internet coverage by companies such as Starlink, Oneweb, Amazon and others, is posing a threat globally to astronomical observations and not only just on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope. South Africa together with the international astronomy community is working closely with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to address the negative impacts Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites on dark and quiet skies.

Some companies have made efforts to mitigate these effects with the use of less-reflective material in satellite construction or changing the orientation of satellites in space. Furthermore, companies can provide astronomers with higher accuracy information about the location of satellites so that observatories can take this into account to decide when and where to point their telescopes. While these potential solutions show promise, they will require a coordinated effort between satellite industry, governments, and astronomy community. A cooperative approach involving all stakeholders is an effective way to reach a satisfactory balance between the need for the evolution of the LEO space economy and the need protect the science of astronomy which requires pristine skies.

Locally, the Department works closely with the Independent Communications Authority (ICASA) through a Memorandum of Agreement that ensures that any spectrum permit licenses that are issued to service providers do not impact negatively on the SKA telescope. Furthermore, the spirit of the Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Act of 2007 and its associated regulations, is such that it does not demand total radio silence but rather a harmonious co-existence of the telescope with other installations and services in the declared astronomy reserve in the Northern Cape.

Reply:

1. Yes, the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) conducted and submitted advice on the effectiveness of mathematics and science education initiatives in schools.
2. there has not yet been a discussion between NACI and the Minister on the advice provided; and
3. The budget allocation of the Advisory Council in the past five years is R90 million.

Reply:

Due to the limited number of jobs which are readily available in the country, university graduates are not always able to secure immediate relevant work opportunities once they have completed their studies. The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) is participating in the Presidential Youth Employment Stimulus (PES) programme. The programme offers opportunities for unemployed graduates to gain useful university-based experience in a range of areas that can improve their readiness for employment and open career pathways that may not have been available without work experience.

In 2021/22 financial year an amount of R90 million was allocated to support the programme across all 26 universities with 3000 graduates placed on contract to support core administration and operations in core business areas, teaching and learning and research.

The Department designed a standard reporting template to be used by all universities for monitoring purposes. This was to ensure that there is coordinated reporting and recording of opportunities provided through the programme. Universities submit monthly reports with updates on placements of graduates including information on jobs created, demographics, number of graduates leaving the programme and reasons, challenges experienced and financial reports. The reports also include the performance of the participants and impact of the programme as it seeks to provide participants with skills and social relief in the form of stipends.

An amount of R93 million is allocated for the implementation of the second phase of the programme. All 26 universities are participating and have started recruiting and placing graduates as per the plans received by the Department. It is anticipated that approximately 3000 graduates will be employed across universities.

The Department has further decided it will conduct tracer studies in this financial year to establish which universities yield graduate employment and in which fields of study. Once the study is completed further support will be provided to the lagging universities.

Recently the Minister hosted the summit on Strategic Industry Partnerships with Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges which was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Cape Town from 27 July 2022 to 28 July 2022, the Minister emphasized the importance of establishing partnerships with industry for student placements to the extent that he recently gave a directive that all TVET college Principals should sign new Performance Agreements that include Industry Partnerships as one of their Key Performance Indicators.

Through the Ministerial summit on strategic industry partnerships with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and its partners in government, industry and academia shared best practices and innovation regarding expansion of workplace-based learning opportunities for TVET college students. Furthermore, the Minister called upon all employers to open their workplaces for the placement of both TVET college students as well as to give workplace exposure to WET college lecturers, so that what is taught is relevant and needed by industry.

This decision was informed by the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training which requires Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) to be a central component of the college programmes and that the extent to which students can secure placements in the workplace must be used as an important indicator for assessing the performance of the management of institutions. The National Development Plan (NDP) also emphasises the importance of workplace-based training in job creation and the need for TVET colleges to become preferred institutions for vocational education and training. It also stresses the role of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in supporting the development of relationships between educational institutions and employers.

The expansion of workplace-based learning opportunities for students has proven to be a challenge in the IVET college sector, however there are signs that a partnership between all the key stakeholders (TVET colleges, SETAs, and industry) is beginning to work as the roles and contribution of each partner are becoming clearly defined and understood by all.

The vision of the Department is to provide an integrated and coordinated Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system for improved economic participation and social development of the youth and adults. To this end, TVET college Principals are required to manage student admissions with the end in mind, and this calls for the establishment of strategic pannerships with industry. This approach will ensure that TVET colleges do not become a dead-end for students as college management is duty bound to break down barriers to opportunities by creating pathways for young people to access skills training programmes, access workplace-based training, articulate into higher education, and pursue self-employment without any hindrance.

Reply:

1. (a)The tracking of data of learners who enter higher education (public and private institutions) with Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology (STM) has not been actioned. The Department mostly tracks subject neutral data of students that fall within the public university sector. For instance, tracking of studies related to Engineering between 2019 to 2021 shows there has been a decline in the number of engineering graduates. Universities reported 13 714 graduates in 2019, 12 652 in 2020 and 12 605 in 2021. The main cause of the decline may be linked to the difficulties experienced in 2020 regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic when students could not readily access laboratories.

b) The Table (a) below shows the number of first-time entering undergraduate enrolment in SET across 26 public universities in the republic over a year period 2017 – 2021, followed by table(b) which consist of total undergraduate graduates in SET and lastly table(c) indicate masters and doctoral total enrolment in SET.

Table a

Qualification Type	Year
	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
FTE Undergraduate	57738	58182	55350	57418	50742

Table b

Qualification Type	Year
	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Total Undergraduate	45477	48392	48088	48305	50600

Table c

Qualification Type	Year
	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Doctoral	11103	11678	12302	11662	12179
Masters	28512	29454	29766	29461	29614

2. The Department’s expenditure is through a block grant subsidy transferred to the universities. The subsidy generated from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications is based on teaching input units linked to enrolment targets. For the 2023 academic year, using 2021 audited HEMIS data, the teaching input subsidy generated from STEM qualifications amounts to approximately R12,5 billion.

Reply:

During the 2021/22 and the current 2023/24 financial years, the Department of Higher Education and Training did not identify procurement allocation for small, medium, and micro enterprises; cooperatives, township and rural. However, a 40% procurement from women owned business was a target. The main challenge experienced in pursuing procurement targets with the previous Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) Regulations of 2017, was that it did not provide a legal framework to procure directly from women, for an example. Therefore, the Department could merely measure performance monthly.

With the introduction of the PPP Regulation 2022, the Department is now able to direct procurement towards targets through specific procurement goals.

For the current financial year (2023/24), the Department set the following procurement targets:

• 60% from businesses owned by black persons;
• 40% from businesses owned by women;
• 30% from businesses owned by SMMEs;
• 30% from businesses owned by youth;
• 7% from businesses owned by persons living with disabilities.

In response to the parliamentary question, the table below contains the procurement spending for the financial year 2021/22 and April 2023 in respect of (i) small, medium and micro enterprises; (ii) cooperatives; (iii) township enterprises; and (iv) rural enterprises.

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING
CRITERIA	(aa) FINANCIAL YEAR 2021/22	(bb) APRIL 2023
	AMOUNT	**PERCENTAGE	AMOUNT	**PERCENTAGE
i) Small-, Medium- And Micro-Enterprises	R131 513 248.03	34.93%	R7 573 910.89	88.50%
ii) Cooperatives	R19 612 766.86	5.21%	R0	0%
iii) Township Enterprises	R28 207 059.24	7.49%	R26 150.15	0.31%
iv) Rural Enterprises	R6 028 384.90	1.60%	R42 190.65	0.49%
*Total Expenditure	R376 533 697.82		R8 558 307.72

* This is the total expenditure for the period.

**Represents the percentage of expenditure per criterion in relation to the total expenditure for the period.

1. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC ENTITIES DIRECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT:

	% allocation for SMMEs	% allocation for Co-ops	% allocation for township enterprises	% allocation for rural enterprises
SETA NAME	aa (2021-22)	bb (1 April 2023)	aa (2021-22)	bb (1 April 2023)	aa (2021-22)	bb (1 April 2023)	aa (2021-22)	bb (1 April 2023)
AGRISETA	88 %	100%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
CHIETA	0.1%	4.7%	0%	0.74%	0%	2.9%	0%	0.06%
BANKSETA	6%	100%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
CETA	76%	87%	0%	0%	7.06%	8%	2.2%	2%
CATHSETA	52%	0%	2%	0%	0%	0%	2%	0%
ETDPSETA	62,79%	58%	100%	100%	0%	0%	0%	0%
EWSETA	90%	90%	0%	0%	1%	1%	0%	0%
FASSET	0%	1%	1%	3%	0%	0%	6%	1%
FOODBEV	64,85%	51,22%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
FP&M SETA	41%	100%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
HWSETA	38%	26%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	1%
INSETA	0%	100%	N/A	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
LGSETA	32,76%	29,89%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
MICT	98%	100%	0%	0%	0.08%	0%	0%	0%
MERSETA	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MQA	38%	0%	0.54%	0%	1,07%	0%	4.41%	0%
PSETA	76%	77%	94%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
SASSETA	94%	91%	0%	0%	5%	7%	0%	1%
SERVICES SETA	100%	100%	0%	0%			0%	0%
TETA	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
	TETA- indicated that it implements the preferential point system in terms of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (2000) and its Regulations when inviting bids and quotations from the market. TETA did not have any set-asides in its procurement practices as of 2021/22 and this was consistent with the dictates/provisions of the National Treasury Practice Note Number SCM 2 of 2006 paragraph 1.1.7. The same principle is applicable for the period 1 April 2023.
W&R SETA	90.38%	95%	0%	0%	87.35%	96.5%	0%	20%
NSFAS	63%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
QCTO	51%	N/A	N/A	N/A	0.11%	N/A	N/A	N/A
NSF	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	92.6%	99.8%
CHE	Internal Auditors = 0.63% Garden Services = 0.26% Security Services = 0.66% IT = 8.59% Travel = 1.06% Venue and catering = 0.78% Training = 0.70% Employee Wellness = 0.34% Legal firms = 2.40%	N/A	External Auditors (AGSA) = 1.38%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Reply:

The response from National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) indicates that there is no expenditure relating to accreditation of student accommodation incurred to date. The scheme has not approved or paid any invoices from student accommodation accreditation.

The student accommodation accreditation is a new project and there is no past information from which realistic projections of expenditure can be made. The cost of accreditation when it is performed will be funded by revenue generated from accommodation providers. When accommodation providers register their property on the portal, there will be fees that will be invoiced by the portal to the accommodation service provider and those fees will include cost of expenditure for accrediting the property.

Now, there is no expenditure for student accommodation accreditation as NSFAS has not incurred any expenditure on student accommodation accreditation. As soon as expenditure records, preferably audited, will be submitted to the Honorable Member.

Reply:

1. Various government entities and private organisations are conducting research on cannabis species, i.e., hemp and marihuana. The Cannabis Industrialisation Masterplan prioritises research, development and innovation on CBD for various health conditions and industrial applications.

a) It is envisaged that various research outcomes from CDB research will yield commercial health products for the treatment of priority health conditions like cancers, diabetes, neurogenerative diseases, hypertension, depression and selected infectious diseases such as upper respiratory infections, etc.

b) The current landscape on cannabis research has been part of the discussion of the Masterplan Committees. The DSI’s African natural medicines consortium has been tasked to investigate this by the Presidency-commissioned team. However, the DSI is currently funding a consortium of researchers and indigenous knowledge holders at the Council for Industrial and Scientific Research, University of Free State, Agricultural Research Council, University of Pretoria, and University of KwaZulu-Natal.

c) The DSI funds a consortium of universities, science councils and indigenous knowledge holders. The Department of Small Business Development and Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Economic Development has also partnered with the DSI team led by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

2. Various research consortia, both private and government-led teams are studying various cannabis strains found in and around South Africa. The DSI teams are interested in local land races of marihuana and hemp. The focus is on two new strains of hemp being investigated by the Agricultural Research Institute, and both Cannabis sativa and indica strains for industrial, medicinal, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical applications.

(3a) The DSI Consortium priorities indigenous knowledge holders as beneficiaries, whilst the Department of Small Business Development beneficiate rural or village farmers and small, medium and micro enterprises. There is currently no country data on the total number of research projects, beneficiaries and breakdown by gender, age or people living with disabilities. The Masterplan in general recognises the need to beneficiate these two groups, including women, youth and people living with disabilities.

(3b) The DSI in partnership with the DSB and Gauteng Department of Agriculture are supporting 20 small, medium and micro-enterprises at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

(i) Of the 20 small, medium and micro-enterprises supported, 13 are owned and led by women who are or work indigenous knowledge holders.

(ii)There are no people living with disabilities, but there is a consideration to publish a directed call at people living with disabilities in the second phase of the programme.

The start-ups will receive two value-added products each and will have the potential of employing up to ten individuals each. A follow-up study will be conducted to evaluate their impact following upscaling of their projects. The DSI is funding infrastructure initiatives to support cannabis research in various universities and science councils.

Reply:

a) South Africa is in the process of developing the Cannabis Industrialisation Masterplan, which is led by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD). The Master Plan has several pillars in regulatory systems, sustainable seed supply systems, research and innovation, enterprise and suppliers and market development, and education and communication/awareness – lead by the Departments of Justice (DOJC); Health ((NDOH); Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD); Science and Innovation (DSI); Small Business Development (DSBD); Trade, Industry and Competitions (DTIC); Social Development (DSD); and Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) respectively. The South African cannabis market is attested to be R28 billion, however the DTIC reported to the Master Plan Committee that a service provider has been appointed to investigate the actual economic potential and actual revenue of cannabis per sector in South Africa.

b) The DSI’s African Natural Medicines Platform has documented that the entire cannabis plant can be used for health purposes. It is the tetrahydrocannabinol that is generally used of recreational purposes through inhalation (smoking) and not the other ingestible products. The projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for health and recreation is 30% and 31% by 2027 respectively.

c) It is projected that a total of 900 000 general population and 250 000 traditional health practitioners may be part of decent jobs created through aspects of the value-chains including primary production, product development, agro-processing, manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, marketing, and commercialization. The Presidency has commissioned the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to fast-track the approval of the Masterplan including documentation of key economic milestones reached.

(d) There is no data on the total number of people employed in the cannabis industry in South Africa. It is the mandate of the DTIC to investigate the economic potential of the Cannabis Industry, including women, youth and people living with disabilities, per sector, e.g., medicines, textile, cosmetics, etc.

Reply:

1. The Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (IPR Act) was enacted in 2010 with an objective to ensure that intellectual property (IP) emanating from publicly funded research and development (R&D) is identified, protected, utilised, and commercialised for the benefit of the Republic.

In terms IPR Act, institutions (including Higher Education Institutions and Science Councils) must report to the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), a specialised service delivery unit with the Department of Science and Innovation, on all matters pertaining to the IP contemplated in the Act, including all IP from which it elects to obtain statutory protection and the state of commercialisation thereof.

These biannual reports are referred to as IP disclosures (in other words research outputs which could be translated ideas into products, processes and services).

Over the past 5 years the following number of IP disclosures were reported to NIPMO:

Financial year	Number of IP disclosures reported	Number of institutions
2018/19	300	24
2019/20	248	27
2020/21	226	24
2021/22	241	21
2022/23	217	27

2. The Department of Science and Innovation conducted a National Survey of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (IP and TT survey) at publicly funded research institutions. The inaugural baseline survey was published in 2017, for the survey period 2008 to 2014. The second IP and TT survey for the period 2014 to 2018, was published in 2021 (Copy of the survey reports available on DSI website at: https://www.dst.gov.za/index.php/resource-center/rad-reports/tt-ip-survey )

In terms of the second IP and TT survey for the period 2014 to 2018, institutions reported over 1250 actionable IP disclosures, over 900 granted patents, 300 granted trademarks, 65 registered designs and 45 new plant breeders’ rights applications.

Institutions further reported that they concluded, over the survey period 2014 to 2018, 290 IP licences, 235 of which yield revenues of R185 million. More than R23 million in commercialisation revenue was paid to over 270 IP creators or enablers situated within these institutions. Institutions yet further reported that they formed 55 start-up/spin out companies, which employed over 320 people.

A total of 100 start-up/spin-out companies were formed since 2008, 95% of which were from HEIs. Of the 100, 72 remained operational as of 2018.

The Department will embark on the third National IP and TT Survey in the 2022/23 financial year for the survey period 2019 to 2022.

3. Section 5(1)(e) of the IPR Act, provides that a recipient must refer disclosures for which it elects not to retain ownership or not to obtain statutory protection to NIPMO within 30 days of it making such an election. These referrals are made on an IP1 Form as prescribed by the Act.

As part of submitting an IP1 Form to NIPMO, the recipient must select the "reasons for referral”. The options available are: 1) Put into the public domain; 2) Not statutorily protectable; 3) Abandonment of IP: Unfavourable Search and/or examination; and 4) Abandonment of IP: Lack of market and commercial potential.

If a recipient states as reason for its referral “Put into the public domain” or “Abandonment of IP: Lack of market and commercial potential” it is compulsory for such IP disclosure to be advertised on the Innovation Bridge Portal for at least 45 days prior to NIPMO approving the abandonment of the IP.

The Innovation Bridge Portal is an initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation, supported by the World Bank Group, and the Department of Small Business Development and hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (access to the Innovation Bridge Portal at https://www.innovationbridge.info/ibportal/)

The purpose of the Innovation Bridge Portal is to be “an open innovation platform that brings entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders together for the benefit of innovators and entrepreneurs. It seeks to promote collaboration amongst public and private ecosystem stakeholders, to become that “one-stop shop” repository of information, opportunity, and network connection”.

Over the past 5 years the following number of IP1 referrals were submitted to NIPMO and approved for abandonment:

Financial year	Number of IP1 referrals reported to NIPMO
2018/19	30
2019/20	37
2020/21	18
2021/22	28
2022/23	29

Furthermore, Sections 14(2) and 14(3) of the IPR Act make provision that NIPMO must conduct reviews of non-commercialised IP in consultation with the recipient. Should it come to NIPMO’s attention, during the review process, that some IP may be commercialised, NIPMO must engage in further consultations with the recipient in an endeavour to ensure that the IP is commercialised. In this regard NIPMO has drafted and published NIPMO Interpretation Note 12 entitled “Procedure for the review of non-commercialised intellectual property at institutions”.

NIPMO initiated, as part of a pilot, the review of non-commercialised IP of its first institution in 2022/23. The pilot results necessitated NIPMO to consider alternative approaches to follow when engaging on non-commercialised IP. These alternative approaches will be researched and implemented in 2023/24 as part of the second stage of the pilot.

4. As at 25 April 2023, there are the following number of inventions being advertised on the Innovation Bridge Portal for further development and/or uptake:

Number of inventions	Industry/Sector
28	Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
16	Manufacturing
12	Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
7	Mining and quarrying
3	Transportation and storage
3	Construction

5. NIPMO has two funding mechanism to assist with the protection, and technology transfer of IP emanating from publicly financed research and development, namely the i) IP Fund and ii) OTT Support Fund.

(i) IP Fund

Section 13 of the IPR Act established the IP Fund to provide financial support to institutions (higher education institutions and science councils) for statutory protection and maintenance of their IP/IP rights.

NIPMO developed and published NIPMO Guideline 2 entitled “The Intellectual Property Fund Rebate Guideline” to define the scope of assistance. In accordance to this guideline NIPMO can provide up to 50% rebate for costs incurred by the institution depending on availability of funds from the South African National Treasury.

(ii) OTT Support Fund

The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) Support Fund was established in 2011 in response to the mandate given to NIPMO by the IPR Act to support i) the establishment and maintenance of OTT, ii) building human capacity and capabilities within these offices and to iii) ensure that IP is identified, protected, utilised and commercialised for the benefit of South Africans.

Since the establishment of the OTT Support Fund, NIPMO has committed over R270 million to 35 institutions in support of activities such as human capacity development, access to IP Analysis Tools, conducting of IP audits, hosting of IP awareness activities, and attending NIPMO endorsed trainings.

To date, over 160 contract positions were (fully or partially) funded by NIPMO at OTTs since its establishment.

In 2019, NIPMO recognised the need to support more activities relating to the commercialisation of IP and has since committed over R14 million for activities including contract drafting, techno economic feasibility analysis, market assessments, business plan development and technology marketing relating to IP disclosed to NIPMO.

Due to the nature of IP and long lead time it takes to translate a research output into a commercial success, it is not possible to quantify the total amount the Department has spent in the past five years on IP which are not utilized for the benefit of South Africans.

It can be reported that the Department has recently started actively tracking the number of disclosures reported to NIPMO that are licensed for the first time as part of its Annual Performance Plan. For 2021/22, 5 institutions licensed 20 disclosures for the first time and in 2022/23 6 institutions licensed 17 disclosures for the first time.

In addition, NIPMO undertook a commercialisation trend snapshot for 2021/22. As part of OTT Support Fund requirements, NIPMO receives bi-annual/annual reports on active agreements from OTTs. These reports cover all activities within the OTTs and specifically its commercialisation endeavours.

For the 2021/22 financial year, NIPMO analysed reports received from 16 institutions. Of the 16 institutions, 9 (or 56%) concluded an IP license or were in discussions to conclude such in 2021/22. The top four sectors of commercialisation activities for 2021/22, following the analysis of the OTT Support Fund reports, are i) Medical and Health (32%), ii) Computer related services and Electronics (17%), iii) Food technologies/services (8%) and iv) Energy (7%).

Reply:

a) The basis for determining the number of job opportunities that will arise from the deployment and operation of the SKA project is guided by analysis that was done on the job opportunities[1] that were created through the establishment and operation of the South African MeerKAT telescope – a precursor to the SKA telescope. An independent economic modelling exercise indicated that the MeerKAT construction program for the period 2012 to 2022 and the operational phase since 2018 has created 5 606 direct job opportunities. The model that was used to calculate the job opportunities created through MeerKAT was applied to the construction and construction and operation of the SKA telescope over the next 10 years. With the funding that is likely to flow to South Africa, it is estimated that a further 16 475 job opportunities will be created. This number will continuously be reviewed to always ensure the best available data. In addition, appropriate monitoring has been put in place to enable reporting of direct job opportunities that will flow from SKA construction, due to commence this year.

b) The scope of skills development is broad and is further supported by strategic skills development interventions undertaken through the Human Capital Development (HCD) Bursary Programme of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). At a national level, the design and construction of the SKA will enhance the development of skills in data science; compute and big data storage technologies; electronic engineering; radio frequency engineering; software development; project management and systems engineering. These skills are extremely relevant in the 4th industrial revolution and are easily transferred as we witnessed when SARAO was appointed to coordinate the National Ventilator Project in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional skills development interventions undertaken within the Karoo ensure that these communities are able to participate meaningfully in the construction and operation of the SKA. This includes business development skills for local SMME’s, as well as artisan training (such as the training of electricians), which has catalysed the development of an Artisan Training Centre in Carnarvon.

c) Projections on job opportunities are based on a ten-year horizon, starting in 2023. However, skills development across the skills identified above has been ongoing since the commencement of the MeerKAT project.

d) Establishment of the SKA project in the Karoo provides a range of opportunities for the development of youth in rural communities surrounding the telescope. Already, learners are being supported through several interventions at schools, including science engagement; robotics programs; maths and science educator support; and school holiday programs. Learners who pass grade 12 and qualify to study a science or engineering related degree at university are granted bursaries by SARAO – so far, 34 learners from the local community have been awarded bursaries. A further 72 have been supported to study at TVET colleges. Following the development of the Astro-Tourism Strategy, SARAO is piloting a program to train youth in the Karoo as Astro-tourism guides – with the intention of exploiting potential Astro-tourism opportunities in the future. This will be enhanced through the establishment of the SKA Science Tourism Visitor Centre and this project is currently going through the detailed engineering design phase. SARAO participates in various outreach programs that are organised by the Department of Science and Innovation and its entities for the youth from the townships.

1. 1 job opportunity = 1 full time equivalent (FTE) year ↑

Reply:

a) What kind of indigenous knowledge is stored in the specified system?

The knowledge in the system is constructed around indigenous claims of communities across the country. It includes knowledge on African Traditional Medicine, indigenous food, agriculture, astronomy, arts and culture, governance and other Indigenous Knowledge disciplines. The current metadata makes provision for multimedia recordings of African Traditional Medicine and indigenous food.

The other knowledge in the system is the Pharmacopoeia, that is, a list detailing various medicinal plants and their treatments to different ailments.

b) How accessible are the IKRS to (i) general public and (ii) academic populance.

The system has different levels of access, that is, open access and confidential access.

(i) The public

The public can access the National Indigenous Systems Office (NIKSO) page. It is constituted by the 2019 IK Act in all 11 official written languages.

The IK contents of community’s multimedia recordings is classified for confidential access only and it is not open to the public as the IK Regulations governing such access has not yet been Gazetted.

(ii) The academic populace

The academic populance can access the Pharmacopoeia and the NIKSO page.

Reply:

1. (a) National Skills Fund (NSF), according to Section 27(2)(a) of the Skills Development Act No. 97 of 1998, the NSF is funded by 20% of the collected skills levy. The table below shows the NSF budget allocation for the year under review (2022/23), the current financial year (2023/24), and the two subsequent years.

b) Budget allocation for the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) for 2023/24 financial year.

Name of the SETA	Total SETA Budget Allocation for 2023/24 Financial Year
AGRISETA	R608 419 000.00
CHIETA	R689 384 000.00
BANKSETA	R1 900 983 000.00
CETA	R1 039 538 000.00
CATHSSETA	R349 967 000.00
ETDPSETA	R 1 262 588 744.00
EWSETA	R355 790 000.00
FASSET	R619 985 575.00
FOODBEV	R559 000 000.00
FP&M SETA	R395 565 835.00
HWSETA	R849 968 000.00
INSETA	R640 889 930.00
LGSETA	R959 939 000.00
MICT	R1 101 955 232.00
MERSETA	R1 736 763 138.00
MQA	R106 380 043.00
PSETA	R147 518 982.00
SASSETA	R623 800 000.00
SERVICES SETA	R1 881 000 000.00
TETA	R891 893 383.00
W&R SETA	R2 120 919 000.00

2. (a) The NSF Staff component/complement of the NSF is made up as follows:

Total number of approved Posts	Total filled posts	Current Vacancies	Number of Interns (WiL / Graduates)
179	125	44	34

b) The SETAs Staff component/complement is made up as follows:

Name of the SETA	SETA staff compliment as at 31 March 2023 (“inclusive of temporary staff and interns”)
AGRISETA	114
CHIETA	54
BANKSETA	72
CETA	166 (115 – permanent & 51 – Interns)
CATHSSETA	77
ETDPSETA	138
EWSETA	56
FASSET	76
FOODBEV SETA	67
FP&M SETA	63
HWSETA	158 (148 permanent, 5 – temporary and 5 – internships)
INSETA	113
LGSETA	120
MICT	126
MQA	157
MERSETA	300
PSETA	64
SASSETA	139
SERVICES SETA	247
TETA	130
W&R SETA	277

3. (a) (i) and (b) the table below presents the NSF employee cost budget allocation and rental for the year under review (2022/23), the current financial year (2023/24), and the two subsequent years.

a) (ii) Budget allocation for salaries Allocation by 31 March 2023.

Name of the SETA	Budget allocation for salaries by 31 March 2023
AGRISETA	R76 249 000.00
CHIETA	R60 955 000.00
BANKSETA	R72 212 174.00
CETA	R120 609 000.00
CATHSSETA	R58 197 000.00
ETDPSETA	R126 087 489.00
EWSETA	R32 560 000.00
FASSET	R44 782 306.00
FOODBEV SETA	R58 000 000.00
FP&M SETA	R37 009 477.00
HWSETA	R117 725 000.00
INSETA	R80 030 602.00
LGSETA	R81 199 000.00
MICT	R96 300 000.00
MERSETA	R173 648 212.00
MQA	R106 380 043.00
PSETA	R51 542 594.42
SASSETA	R106 800 00.00
SERVICES SETA	R208 000 000.00
TETA	R88 638 344.00
W&R SETA	R189 099 000.00

b) what is the budget allocation for property rentals by 31 March 2023.

Name of the SETA	Budget Allocation for property rentals by 31 March 2023
AGRISETA	R755 486.00
BANKSETA	R4 017 630.00
CETA	R6 784 739.52
CATHSETA	R5 800 000.00
CHIETA	R3 312 000.00
ETDPSETA	R25 658 645.00
EWSETA	R4 100 000.00
FASSET	R5 500 000.00
FOODBEV SETA	R6 3 000 000.00
FP&M SETA	R6 875 645.00
HWSETA	R12 651 000.00
INSETA	R7 200 00.00
LGSETA	R15 900 000.00
MICT	R10 331 751.00
MERSETA	R16 104 833.00
MQA	N/A (MQA owns the building)
PSETA	R8 586 810.80
SASSETA	R11 600 000.00
SERVICES SETA	R20 000.00 (1 Office at a TVET College)
TETA	R5 302 562.00
W&R SETA	R 23 000 000.00

4. (a) Succinctly, areas of possible overlaps and duplicates between SETAs and the NSF are:

1. Funding for capacity development for the PSET sector including funding on research and college infrastructure improvement.
2. Skills development beneficiaries/learners funding through bursaries, scholarships for occupations in high demand, and learners in rural areas.
3. Skills development funding through SMMEs and Cooperatives programs.
4. Skills development funding of worker education.

(b) By the legislative nature of the Skills Development Act 1998 SETAs’ primary responsibility is to facilitate skills development and training in their specific sectors whilst the NSF has a non-sectoral mandate based on the prevalent national priorities expressed in various national skills development strategies at a given time and space. The NSF’s reach on skills development and training funding is therefore broader than the SETAs given the sector and non-sector differentiation.

The Ministerial Task Team (MTT) Report on the Strategic Review of the National Skills Fund (NSF) July 2022, recognised that the NSF as a skills development entity is positioned within the broader national context to support the attainment of key government policies and plans to address the triple challenge of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, however, highlight possible overlap responsibilities between NSF and SETAs considering the following:

i) The mandate of SETAs and the NSF is based on the Skills Development Act 1998 confirms that the NSF’s role is to fund skills development for national priorities (across all sectors),

ii) Therefore, leave SETAs to focus on the skills development needs of the different sectors of the economy (sector-specific).

iii) Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are established in terms of Chapter 3, Section 9(1) of the Skills Development Act, No 97 of 1998, with a responsibility to:

• To register learnerships;
• To develop Sector Skills Plans;
• To accredit training providers;
• To implement the NSDS goals;
• To collect levies from employers;
• To provide career guidance to learners;
• To provide and disburse funding for training; and
• To implement training/learning programs such as internships, learnerships, work-integrated learning, in-service training, bursaries, and artisanship.

iv) The SETAs are mandated in terms of the Skills Development Act to liaise with the National Skills Authority on the national skills development policy, the national skills development strategy, and sector skills plans.

v) This may result in the SETAs allocating funding to projects identified as national priorities as identified in the national skills development strategy (now the National Skills Development Plan, 2030) which the NSF is mandated to fund.

The NSF is mandated to fund projects identified by the Minister and the Director General. SETAs, on the other hand, are mandated to allocate grants, with some being mandatory to levy paying employers and some discretionary. The discretion of SETA’s funding could be directed at any priority including possibly the projects related to the achievement of the purposes of the Skills Development Act as the NSF does.

5. The NSF is tasked with the responsibility of providing funding, which is focused on national priorities and providing resources to unlock and catalyse national human development potential. The NSF’s ultimate beneficiaries are the learners funded by NSF for skills development that are on learnerships, internships, apprenticeships and in various skills development programs; and the PSET system through which the education, training and skills of learners are developed.

These interventions consist of workplace-based components; therefore, learners are placed in the workplace during their learning period. Furthermore, the NSF committed to undertaking the evaluation study which includes a tracer study in the current financial year to explore the learner’s perceptions of who is employed or self-employed after completing their interventions/programs and evaluate post-school education-to-work transitions of learners/students/graduates. This will, in effect, provide NSF with data on the effectiveness of the interventions/programs for obtaining employment or self-employment.

Furthermore, the NSF is in the process of establishing its own research chair which will assist with evaluation studies for the 2020 to 2025 strategic period including tracer studies and will further assist in determining how many beneficiaries have since obtained jobs. The study is due to commence upon completion of the five-year cycle.

The NSF has in recent years made a concerted effort to train persons with Disability and the table below provides an overview of a number of beneficiaries targeted for the NSF interventions in relation to Persons with Disability:

Portfolio of Projects	Number of beneficiaries targeted	Number of beneficiaries with disabilities
Unsolicited Proposals	1 041	1 041
Closed Projects: RFP UIF / Rural 2018 – 2021	445	445
Artisan Development – in process	2% of 5 885	118
TVET College Phase III – in process	2% of 21 594	432
Current RFP: Persons with Disability evaluation processes underway.	2 630	2 630

According to the Evaluation of the National Skills Fund Report by the NSA (page 110), from 2015 to 2020, 168 566 learners were funded and enrolled with 137 019 completing their training. Of the learner who completed 11 424 became self-employed, 11 807 continued to study full-time whilst 38 192 became fully employed and economically active citizens within two years of the NSF intervention.

The beneficiaries interviewed for the study confirmed an increase of household income whilst 65% found the skills learned useful and beneficial, and 70% indicated that the training funded was in line with the skills acquired. Further, 10 883 are no longer available for work due to several reasons i.e., illness, retirement and change of personal circumstance. 64 713 remain unemployed as at the time of the study due to lack of opportunity and/or absorption by the employers and the remainder had planned to study further.

For the period 2021/2022 financial year, the National Skills Fund trained 81 532 learners through NSF funding for education and training in various occupational programs with beneficiaries participating in work placement through the learnerships and/or artisan-related programs. Of the total beneficiaries, 51 109 were women and 35% were youth below 25 years and 45% were youth between 25 and 35 years.

Reply:

1. INTRODUCTION

The Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (IPR Act) was enacted in 2010 with an objective to ensure that intellectual property (IP) emanating from publicly funded research and development (R&D) is identified, protected, utilised, and commercialised for the benefit of the Republic.

Section 11(1)(c) of the IPR Act further states that "The recipient determines the nature and conditions of intellectual property transactions relating to any intellectual property held by it, but must take into account the following: preference must be given to parties that seek to use the intellectual property in ways that provide optimal benefits to the economy and quality of life of the people of the Republic" [own emphasis added].

In terms of the IPR Act, recipients[1] (including Higher Education Institutions and Science Councils) must request approval from the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), a specialised service delivery unit with the Department of Science and Innovation, to enter certain IP transactions.

The IP transactions requiring NIPMO approval, is summarised in the table below, indicating the legislated form to be submitted.

	Legislatively prescribed IP Form to submit
LOCAL IP TRANSACTIONS
Exclusive, royalty-free licence	IP8
Non-exclusive, royalty-free licence	IP8
Assignment	IP4
OFFSHORE IP TRANSACTIONS
Exclusive, royalty/revenue-bearing licence	IP6
Exclusive, royalty-free licence	IP6
Non-exclusive, royalty-free licence	IP8
Assignment	IP5

2. IP TRANSACTIONS IN MORE DETAIL

Assignment is a legal term for the transferring of rights, property, or other benefits to another. The IPR Act makes provision for local or offshore assignment. The legislative background will be set out below:

A recipient intending on transferring (or assigning) its IP emanating from publicly financed R&D within South Africa must submit a IP4 form to NIPMO for approval (see Regulation 11(9) of the IPR Act). In addition to the IP4 form, the recipient must motivate that the assignment is in the public interest or provide reasons as to why the IP cannot be commercialised through other means such as an exclusive licence (Regulations 11(10) of the IPR Act).

A recipient wishing to assign IP offshore or outside South Africa must submit a IP5 form to NIPMO for approval (Regulation 12 (7) of the IPR Act). In addition to the IP5 form, the recipient must satisfy NIPMO that there is insufficient capacity in the Republic to develop or commercialise the IP locally; and that the Republic will benefit from such offshore transaction (Section 12(2) of the IPR Act).

Regulation 17 of the IPR Act states that “Failure by a recipient to obtain from NIPMO, approval for an intellectual property transaction for which approval is required in terms of the Act and these regulations; will render such Intellectual Property transaction and relevant agreement void from the beginning”.

The offshore IP transactions that were submitted to NIPMO for approval since the promulgation of the IPR Act are summarized as follows:

Financial year	IP transaction activities
2012/2013	1 offshore IP transaction received Not approved as it fell outside the scope/provision of the IPR Act.
2013/2014	No applications received.
2014/2015	4 offshore IP transaction received and approved 1 assigned to University of Birmingham; and 3 assigned to Persomics AB.
2015/2016	1 offshore IP transaction received No NIPMO approval required as the intellectual property was not yet created and therefore not in a position to make a decision.
2016/2017	2 offshore IP transactions received and approved Files requested from archives and information will be updated at later stage.
2017/2018	3 offshore IP transactions received 1 not approved – benefit to South Africa not clearly set out; and 2 were approved and assigned to Tawazun Dynamics and Nisonic.
2018/2019	2 offshore IP transactions received No NIPMO approval required - wrong IP form sent; and 1 was approved and assigned to the USA Department of Health, Columbia University, CAPRISA.
2020/2021	1 offshore IP transaction received Not approved as it fell outside the scope/provision of the IPR Act.
2021/2022	2 offshore IP transactions received Approval granted for transfer to APIX Biosciences; and 1 submission not approved – sufficient commercialisation capacity exists in South Africa
2022/2023	4 offshore IP transaction received and approved 3 assigned to UNICEF; and 1 assigned to Greentech Investment holding.

To date NIPMO has received 20 offshore IP transactions to consider for approval. Of these 20, 14 were approved, 3 were not approved, and 3 required no approval from NIPMO as it fell outside the scope/provision of the IPR Act.

3. RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS POSED

“What (a) intellectual property (IP) rights have been sold to international companies that have not benefited South African companies, (b) amount were they sold for…”

The IPR Act was promulgated on 22 December 2008 and commenced on 2 August 2010 following the publication of a proclamation for its’ commencement in the Government Gazette. Furthermore, no provision was made in the IPR Act indicating that the IPR Act has retrospective application and one can assume that the IPR Act applies prospectively (in order words, for IP generated from publicly financed R&D after 2 August 2010).

As can be seen from the introduction above, no offshore IP transaction referred to NIPMO was transferred to international companies that have not benefitted South Africa.

Regulation 10(1)(c) of the Exchange Control Regulations of 1961 states that “prior National Treasury permission must be obtained before entering into any transaction whereby capital or any right to capital is directly or indirectly exported from the Republic”. National Treasury evaluates and approves (where appropriate) the transactional value of each IP transaction transferred outside of South Africa.

The IPR Act, defines “benefits” as "contribution to the socio-economic needs of the Republic and includes capacity development, technology transfer, job creation, enterprise development, social upliftment and products, or processes or services that embody or use the intellectual property”.

NIPMO assess each submitted application, to determine whether such IP transaction could reasonably benefit South Africa, and if so, will not approve the transaction.

Hence National Treasury considers the transactional value while NIPMO evaluates benefit to the country as defined within the IPR Act. NIPMO therefore does not have the data on the amount for which the IP was sold/transferred.

Question (c) were the spin-offs companies accrued from the specified IP rights and Question (d) number of jobs did the international companies create in their respective countries?

After the NIPMO approval for the assignment of IP, the IPR Act does not require the assignee and assignor to report on the status of the IP in perpetuity.

With respect to offshore assignment, once the transaction is approved the IP becomes the property of the offshore assignee, and the assignor loses control over the IP, and therefore NIPMO no longer receives updates on the IP from the assignor.

In light of the above, we are unable to answer these questions.

4. CONCLUSION

Failure to obtain approval from NIPMO for an IP transaction for which approval is required in terms of the IPR Act; will render such IP transaction and relevant agreement void from the beginning.

It should be appreciated that NIPMO is unable to report on data that was not reported. Should it come to our attention that IP emanating from publicly funded R&D was indeed transferred without the Republic benefitting, the IPR Act and Regulations make provision to cancel that IP transaction.

1. Section 1 of the IPR Act: "recipient" means any person, juristic or non-juristic, that undertakes research and development using funding from a funding agency and includes, an institution ↑

Reply:

a) The typical anticipated lifespan of a commercial and light industrial building generally falls within the range of 50 to 60 years. However, it is worth noting that a majority of the CSIR buildings surpass this age threshold, as they are over 60 years old. Currently, significant efforts and investments are dedicated to building maintenance with the objective of extending the lifespan of these assets. The remaining useful life of these buildings is estimated to be between 10 to 15 years. In addition to the building infrastructure, the electrical utilities infrastructure also warrants attention. As a general guideline, electrical systems are expected to have a lifespan of 20 to 40 years. However, within the CSIR portfolio, a significant portion of the electrical infrastructure exceeds the 40-year mark. Furthermore, a considerable portion of the research infrastructure is outdated and does not meet present-day standards.

b) The cost to replace building infrastructure and associated support infrastructure is an estimated cost of R4bn. The CSIR is currently undergoing a building condition assessment to provide a more detailed insight in the maintenance and renewal requirements to ensure that we prioritise investment appropriately. The outcome of this building condition assessment is expected by July 2023.

c) The impact of aging infrastructure for the CSIR can be significant and wide-ranging. Some of the key impacts include:

Decreased Efficiency: Aging infrastructure can lead to reduced operational efficiency and effectiveness. Outdated equipment, systems, and facilities will require more frequent repairs and maintenance, leading to increased downtime and decreased productivity. This will hinder research activities, delay projects, and limit the institute's overall output.

Safety Risks: Aging infrastructure can pose safety risks to researchers, staff, and visitors. Electrical systems, plumbing, and structural components can deteriorate over time, potentially leading to hazards such as electrical failures, water leaks, or structural collapses. These risks can compromise the well-being of individuals and the integrity of research operations.

Obsolescence: As technology advances, outdated infrastructure will become incompatible with modern research equipment and methodologies. This can limit the institute's ability to conduct state-of-the-art research, attract top researchers, or collaborate with external partners. It may also result in a competitive disadvantage compared to institutions with up-to-date infrastructure.

Increased Maintenance and Operating Costs: Aging infrastructure typically requires more frequent and costly maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. Outdated systems are less energy-efficient, leading to higher utility bills. The need for constant repairs and replacements can strain the CSIR financial resources, diverting funds from research programs and other essential areas.

Inability to Meet Regulatory Standards: Regulatory standards for research facilities often evolve to ensure the safety of personnel, protection of the environment, and compliance with ethical guidelines. Aging infrastructure will struggle to meet these updated standards, leading to potential non-compliance issues and difficulties in obtaining necessary certifications or permits.

Impact on Recruitment and Retention: Researchers and staff are more likely to be attracted to institutions that offer modern, well-maintained facilities. Aging infrastructure may deter talented researchers from joining or remaining at the CSIR, as it can impact their ability to conduct cutting-edge research, collaborate effectively, and provide a conducive working environment.

Reply:

Name of the SETA	(a) (ii) Expenditure of fuel and/or diesel during Load shedding Stage 4 by 31 March 2023 (2022/23)	(b) (ii) Expenditure of fuel and/or diesel during Load shedding Stage 6 by 31 March 2023 (2022/23)
AGRISETA	R37 788 .00	R0.00
BANKSETA	R43 521.66
	(Diesel expenditure from April 2022 to 31 March 2023 for both stages. Due to the Frequent change between stages, it is not possible to separate the expenditure for each specific stage.
CETA	R 1 462 605.26	N/A
CATHSETA	R300 878.00
	It must be noted that the SETA does not keep a log of fuel/diesel expenditure per stage of load shedding.
CHEITA	R2312.00	R2251.00
ETDPSETA	R120 512.82	R248 843.12
EWSETA	R113 974.59
	Comments: It is not practical to split the cost between stages of load shedding
FASSET	0 – Part of the Landlord’s responsibility	0 – Part of the Landlord’s responsibility
FOODBEV SETA	R 223 624.25	R 335 436.58
FP&M SETA	R 71 456.98	R0.00
HWSETA	R189 534.27	N/A
	The amount of R189 534.27 could not be split between stages 4 and 6 of load shedding because the diesel recovery invoice from the landlord just reflects electricity recovery and it is not split according to stages.
INSETA	R0.00	R0.00
	Kindly note that INSETA rented the building occupied in the financial year 2022/23 and the landlord was responsible for the fuel/diesel used during loadshedding and no cost increase was incurred by INSETA.
LGSETA	R 193 462.83	N/A
	R17 587.53 per month fixed (Started from May 2022)
MICT	R 365 979.71
	The expenditure incurred is for all stages of load shedding, the diesel costs are incurred by the landlord and charged to the SETA. There is no distinction between stages of load shedding.
MERSETA	R30 000.00 to R45 000.00 per month	R46 000.00 to R72 000.00 per month
MQA	R534 978.92
	Diesel supply is for all stages 1-6 as in some cases we would have varied stages of load shedding in a day or week. An accurate estimate of consumption for stages 4 and 6 could not be determined.
PSETA	R 233 416.18	N/A
	The amount spent for the 2022/23 financial year is R233 416.18. PSETA is unable to split the amounts between stages 4 and 6.
SASSETA	R324 497.67	N/A
	It is not practical to reliably determine the cost of diesel per stage of load shedding, as they change daily and sometimes hourly. SASSETA incurred a total of R324 497.67 on diesel because of load shedding during the 2022/2023 financial year.
SERVICES SETA	R4531 56.75
	Services SETA - Diesel refilling spends for the financial year (no tools to measure costs between stages)
TETA	R281 673.25	R281 673.25
W&R SETA	R 494 821.00	R0.00

Reply:

(1)

(a) 40% salary cut all employees                                   R1 078 405 519 (annually)

(b) 6 000 employees                                                     R1 139 217 297 (annually)

(2) SASSA only started to charge penalties from the 2020/2021 FY. Penalties to the value of R75 624 598 have been imposed on the SA Post Office from 2020/21 FY to 2020/23 FY.

Find here: SASSA PENALTIES

 

Reply:

(a)&(b) Postbank has a pre-schedule annual marketing programme that include on the ground engagements with customers and prospective customers for the purposes of creating its brand visibility as well as products awareness. This is in addition to offering financial literacy programmes to the unbanked and under-banked in line with its founding mandate.

The marketing programme is annually pre-scheduled during the beginning of each financial year to access all provinces of the Republic of South Africa. In each province Postbank systematically identifies historically disadvantaged areas utilising publicly available market data which demonstrates the areas where the financially unserved and under-served are predominantly located. In addition, the periods of the activations are timed around significant national calendar events including public holidays and weekends to maximise their reach.

The Western Cape Province’s activations was timed in Postbank’s marketing programme calendar to coincide with the State of the Nation Address. Prior to this, it had anticipated announcements relating to the progress in relation to the Postbank corporatisation journey and developments in relation to the Postbank Amendment Bill. Similar activations in accordance with its annual calendar were also activated in other provinces including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Free State, and the Eastern Cape. Langa Township, Gugulethu Township, Struisbaai, Grabouw (Taxi Rank), Hermanus (next to the local clinic) and Strand (Broadway square) were areas already scheduled for activation during in the period in question in Western Cape province.

 

Thank You.

Reply:

(1) In case of loadshedding or any other offline situation the SA Post Office has procedures in place that all manual transactions must be captured within 24 hours on an online platform. It will not interrupt normal operations.

(2) It is procedural for branch managers to conduct end of day balancing. Daily reports are generated from Finance and IT of any branch that did not capture an end of day and forward to regional operations for correction. Quality and oversight audits are conducted to ensure procedures and processes and adhered to. Receipt book are used to verify capturing.

Thank You.

Reply:

1. Nieu-Bethesda is a Retail Postal Agency (RPA) and the owner is Grace Nel.

(a) No Post Office staff are allocated to RPA
(b) No Part Time staff at RPA

2. The last payment loaded was for end of February 2023, an amount of R1500.

3. The Nieu-Bethesda RPA’s contract is still valid.

Thank You.

Reply:

I was advised by SAPO as follows:

(a) The Post Office branch was loss making and was identified as part of the postal network optimisation programme and amalgamated with the Benoni Post Office.

(b) There were three employees – 2x Tellers opted for a voluntary severance package at end of March 2023 and 1x was transferred to the Dunswart Post Office.

(c) The branch has been permanently closed.

(d) The box holders will be reallocated post boxes at the Benoni Post Office. There is also a street delivery in the area.

Thank You.

Reply:

1. Hosting clients is a standard practice in any commercial environment. The SABC has not had a sales conference in years. The total cost was R1 448 085. The original booking was made on 22-24 August 2022, but the event was postponed to February 2023 to ensure that the right attendees attend.

2. Conferencing: R628 975
Accommodation: R589 811
Transport: R43 554
Merchandise: R150 000

3. This was not a trade exchange transaction.

4. This was a combined Marketing and Sales event to optimise costs and maximise benefits. The clients that attended the conference already spend more than R2,5bn annually across SABC platforms. The event showcased the SABC’s capabilities and transformational efforts with the objective to protect the current revenue as well as to increase the revenue spend. Clients responded very favourably and were very excited about the SABC’s plans, which enabled them to plan better.

 

Thank You.

Reply:

The Department and its Entities presented to Minister, Programmes of Action (PoA) being undertaken and executed in collaboration with the sector. The Minister was satisfied with the PoA and called for the acceleration, so that digital transformation enables efficiency in service delivery; and that digital communication services are affordable and accessible.

In this regard, the Minister has negotiated his PA with the President which include the PoA.

There was no disruptions or instability as the Department and its entities continues to implement his PoA which support the MTSF.

 

Thank You.

Reply:

Yes, the rationalisation project has been undertaken by the Department, with the initial phase involving the acquisition of Broadband Infraco (BBI) by Sentech. This will entail the transfer of the 74% shareholding in BBI by the State to Sentech, whilst the 26% will remain with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Sentech has since concluded and submitted a due diligence report and turnaround plan to the Department, which together with the Sale Share Agreement are still under consideration by the Department.

The Department is also working on the repurposing of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) so that it can timely and adequately respond to its clients whilst leading the digitalisation of Government and other related deliverables. In this regard the Department will employ the expertise of an external service provider to conduct a deep study of the SITA business model, with the aim to improve Government services to Departments and the citizens. This aim is to conclude this work by end of FY2023/24.

The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) is also in the process of being dissolved due to duplication of roles. On 30 November 2022 the Cabinet approved the:-

a) commencement of the process to disestablish the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA);
b) transfer of the USAASA functions to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and relevant entities under the portfolio
c) transfer of the management of the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF), temporarily to the Department while formalizing the corporatization of the South African Postbank SOC Limited.

 

Thank You.

Reply:

The total number of standby generators at SA Post Office sites is 32 across all provinces. Post Office branches within shopping centres make use of the centre’s generators during loadshedding. Other standalone sites are not equipped with emergency generators.

Post Office branches are able to continue providing services in an offline situation during loadshedding. They are able to process transactions on a manual basis and capture these as soon as power is restored and the branch goes online again. Mail delivery and acceptance can also continue during loadshedding.

Thank You.

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

a) The old Digitech website did not meet DCDT specifications.

b) The site has been redesigned and is now live on www.digitech.gov.za

c) The security of the new Digitech site has been enhanced and new design has been implemented.

d) R 743 644.95

e) The redesign was concluded on 30 March 2023 and the site has now live.

Thank You.

Reply:

(a) The Lansdowne Post Office is fully operational and has not been closed. During loadshedding, the Post Office is closed as it does not have a standby generator. It is also unable to operate manually owing to its location with limited lighting being available during the hours of loadshedding.

b) No alternative arrangements are required for residents to receive their (i) municipal bills and (ii) other postal items - as neither the Lansdowne Post Office nor the Mail Delivery Depot have been closed.

Thank You.

Reply:

(1), (2), (3)

Find here: National 5G coverage

Reply:

The Department supports investigations into corrupt practices taking place at universities, including at the University of KwaZulu Natal. Law enforcement agencies are currently seized with the investigations, once they have concluded their investigations, I will ask for an official report. The Department further welcomes the courage of the whistle-blowers who have exposed corruption, and its officials will continue to monitor all accommodation related reports. The Department has been advised by the university that it has established a hotline to encourage more reporting on an anonymous basis.

In addition, the Department will continue working with the heads of Safety and Security in all our universities, and ensure they receive the support to assist with reporting and monitoring crime at our universities. A future workshop is planned to, amongst others, better understand the challenges around accommodation within universities, and what additional support the universities require to ensure that accommodation management is transparent and devoid of corruption.

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:

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:

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:

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 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 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.