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30 June 2023 - NW1984

Profile picture: Mogale, Mr T

Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1) Following the report by the University of South Africa that alleges deep-rooted corruption in the institution and its management, (a) how does his department intend to intervene in this regard and (b) by what date will the specified intervention occur; (2) what support has his department given to the university management over the concerns that were raised prior to the report being released over the past five years?

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.

19 June 2023 - NW1804

Profile picture: Siwisa, Ms AM

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Considering the continued attacks and killings of staff members of the University of Fort Hare (UFH) amidst allegations of corruption in that institution, what measures has he put in place to ensure the safety of whistle-blowers and staff members at UFH?

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.

19 June 2023 - NW1893

Profile picture: Zondo, Mr  S S

Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Considering that South African universities often come under criticism due to their financial mismanagement, blatant corruption, and the credibility of the qualifications obtained and/or lack thereof, what active steps does his department take to ensure that they follow up on the specified concerns and address them, since a threat to the credibility of domestic qualifications simply means that our higher education system in its entirety will eventually come under scrutiny?

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.

19 June 2023 - NW2016

Profile picture: Mogale, Mr T

Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Considering that financial insecurity has over the past years caused numerous problems pertaining to food insecurity for university students and noting that with the rising cost of living on a daily basis, the situation could only be exacerbated, what (a) steps has his department taken to date to resolve the crisis of food insecurity for university and tertiary students and (b) different and specialised interventions in different facilities has his department implemented over the years to curb the frustration and inhumane conditions?

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.

19 June 2023 - NW1985

Profile picture: Mogale, Mr T

Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Considering that financial insecurity has over the past years caused numerous problems pertaining to food insecurity for university students and noting that with the rising cost of living on a daily basis, the situation could only be exacerbated, what (a) steps has his department taken to date to resolve the crisis of food insecurity for university and tertiary students and (b) different and specialised interventions in different facilities has his department implemented over the years to curb the frustration and inhumane conditions?

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.

19 June 2023 - NW1922

Profile picture: Marais, Ms P

Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether his department has looked into the extent of the problems brought up by students who are subjected to Southpoint due to the failure to provide student accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons that his department has not (a) banned Southpoint from doing business in the Republic and (b) taken control of its properties to guarantee that students have a safe and healthy place to live?

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.

30 May 2023 - NW1672

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)Whether the National Advisory Council has advised him on research and development and the promotion of Mathematics, Natural Science and Technology; if not, why not; if so, what advice on the specified issues did the council give him in the past five years; 2) whether there were any discussions regarding the advice given; if not, why not; if so, what was the outcome of the specified discussions; (3) what has been the budget allocation of the council in the past five years?

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.

30 May 2023 - NW1716

Profile picture: Boshoff, Dr WJ

Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Considering the demand for radio silence over a great part of the Northern Cape for the purpose of radio astronomy, how will the radio silence be impacted by the global coverage of Starlink’s satellite-driven internet coverage?

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.

25 May 2023 - NW1740

Profile picture: Zondo, Mr  S S

Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether his department has any interventions in place to address the situation where at the end of each academic year hundreds of thousands of graduates do not have any prospect of employment due to the absence of an investment into and/or demand for certain skills and degrees by industries; not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the interventions?

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.

25 May 2023 - NW1697

Profile picture: Engelbrecht, Mr J

Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether he will furnish Mr J Engelbrecht with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) his department and (b) every entity reporting to him in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?

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.

  1. 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:

 
  1. % allocation for SMMEs
  1. % allocation for Co-ops
  1. % allocation for township enterprises
  1. % 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

25 May 2023 - NW1673

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)What number of learners with Mathematics, Natural Science and Technology (a) enter and study science-related degrees in the institutions of higher learning, (b) eventually complete their degrees and (c) further their studies up to the level of a (i) Master’s degree and (ii) Doctorate; (2) what amount did his department spend on the science, innovation and technology-related degrees in the 2022 academic year?

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.

22 May 2023 - NW1452

Profile picture: Mogale, Mr T

Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Considering that in numerous presentations by his department it was cited that the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project will bring about skills development and employment opportunities to the Republic, (a) what total number of job opportunities are prospectively planned for the eventual roll-out of the SKA project, (b) what kind of skills will be developed in the process and during the roll-out of the SKA project, (c) by what date does he envisage the specified aspirations will be realised and (d) how will the SKA project impact the youth in townships and rural areas?

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

22 May 2023 - NW1546

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King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What is the cost of the expenditure on the 89 individuals assisting with accreditation of student accommodation service providers?

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.

22 May 2023 - NW1545

Profile picture: King, Ms C

King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What is the expenditure on fuel and/or diesel during Stages (a) 4 and (b) 6 of load shedding for (i) his department and (ii) each of the entities reporting to him?

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

22 May 2023 - NW1544

Profile picture: King, Ms C

King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

With reference to the ageing infrastructure of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) which has been identified as one of their biggest challenges, what (a) is the lifespan of the infrastructure, (b) is the cost to replace the ageing infrastructure and (c) has he found is the impact that ageing infrastructure has on the operations of the CSIR?

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.

22 May 2023 - NW1539

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

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

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

22 May 2023 - NW1538

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)What is the budget allocation of the (a) National Skills Fund (NSF) and (b) sector education and training authorities (SETAs); (2) what is the staff component of (a) NSF and (b) each SETA; (3) what is the budget allocation for (a) salaries of (i) NSF and (ii) each SETA and (b) rentals of properties utilised by both the NSF and SETAs respectively; (4) whether there is an overlapping of responsibilities between NSF and SETA; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the (a) responsibilities that overlap and (b) reasons for the replication of responsibilities; (5) what number of job opportunities have NSF created for women, people with disabilities and the youth?

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.

22 May 2023 - NW1378

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What (a) are the details of the profit revenue that has been generated from Cannabidiol (CBD) as at the latest date for which information is available, (b) is the actual variation in percentage between use of the CBD for recreational purposes versus its use for health, (c) total number of jobs have been created from the CBD economy and (d) total number of (i) women and (ii) persons living with disabilities are employed in the specified sector?

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.

22 May 2023 - NW1377

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)Whether the Republic is currently conducting Cannabidiol (CBD) research; if not, why not; if so, (a) what specific outcomes are envisaged to be gained from the research, (b) what total number of studies are being conducted and (c) where do the scientists get the resources required for the research; (2) whether there is a particular strain that the scientists are working on; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a) who are the beneficiaries of CBD research and (b) what total number of (i) women and (ii) persons living with disabilities who own spin-off companies and/or start-ups have benefited from the research?

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.

22 May 2023 - NW1453

Profile picture: Mogale, Mr T

Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Given that Indigenous Knowledge Registration Systems (IKRS) have been cited by his department as pivotal systems in the preservation of indigenous knowledge, (a) what kind of indigenous knowledge is stored in the specified systems and (b) how accessible are the IKRS to the (i) general public and (ii) academic populace?

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.

22 May 2023 - NW1379

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)Of the research work conducted by South African institutions including research conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, how much work has resulted in Intellectual Properties (IPs) in the past five years; (2) what total number of (a) IPs have resulted in job opportunities and (b) jobs have been created in the past five years; (3) what total number of IPs are not being utilised for the benefit of South Africans; (4) which IP can be used to benefit South Africans in terms of infrastructure, namely housing, roads and energy, but are not utilised for the purpose they were researched for; (5) what total amount has his department spent in the past five years on IPs which are not utilised for the benefit of South Africans?

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%).

19 May 2023 - NW902

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

(a) What are the reasons that the Post Office in Actonville closed down, (b) what total number of staff have been laid-off from work, (c) on what date will the specified post office reopen and (d) how have the post office box holders been accommodated since the sudden closure of the post office?

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.

19 May 2023 - NW746

Profile picture: Kohler, Ms D

Kohler, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

1) What total amount is the SA Post Office (SAPO) set to save annually from the (a) 40% pay cut to SAPO employees and (b) 6 000 retrenchments; (2) What total amount has been collected from the penalties that SAPO branches need to pay for not meeting service standards in the past four financial years? CW62E

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

 

19 May 2023 - NW604

Profile picture: Bodlani, Ms T

Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

(1) Whether she has found that she is on track to deploy 5G networks to 100% of South African cities; if not, what percentage has been achieved to date; if so, what are the relevant details. (2) Whether she has found that she is on track to deploy 5G networks to 70% of secondary cities; if not, what percentage has been achieved to date; if so, what are the relevant details. (3) Whether she has found that she is on track to deploy 5G networks to 50% of rural towns; if not, what percentage has been achieved to date; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1), (2), (3)

Find here: National 5G coverage

19 May 2023 - NW1211

Profile picture: Khakhau, Ms KL

Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

a) What are the reasons that the Lansdowne Post Office in Cape Town has been closed; and b) What arrangements have been made to ensure residents receive their (i) municipal bills and (ii) other postal items?

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.

19 May 2023 - NW1210

Profile picture: Kohler, Ms D

Kohler, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

With reference to the reply of the former Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms K P S Ntshavheni, to question 2364 on 21 July 2022, what (a) are the reasons that his department has chosen to redesign the Digitech website that was launched on 17 May 2022 (b) progress has been made in redesigning the Digitech website (c) features and improvements are included in the redesign, (d) will be the total cost of the redesign? (e) is the date on which the redesign is expected to be completed? NW1351E

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.

19 May 2023 - NW1176

Profile picture: Arries, Ms LH

Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

What is the total number of Post Offices that have alternative sources of energy to ensure that services to our elderly people continue irrespective of load shedding? NW 1317E

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.

19 May 2023 - NW1035

Profile picture: Kohler, Ms D

Kohler, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies

Whether his department has implemented a rationalisation plan for state-owned entities that report to him; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1145E

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.

19 May 2023 - NW964

Profile picture: Majozi, Ms Z

Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

With reference to the recent Cabinet reshuffle during which his department’s leadership has changes, and considering that he was shifted from an Office with a vastly different mandate , what are the details of the plans that his department had in place to ensure that the change in Ministers did not cause instability in the rest of the department. NW1012E

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.

19 May 2023 - NW905

Profile picture: Bodlani, Ms T

Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies

1. What total amount did the three-day SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) sales conference at Sun City cost? 2. Whether he will furnish Ms T Bodlani with a full breakdown of the cost of the conference; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? 3. Whether the conference was a trade exchange with Sun City as the client; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) for what period will the trade exchange last and (b) what total amount were the hard costs? 4. Whether there are any confirmed new commitments to spend by clients who attended the SABC sales conference at Sun city; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the Rand value of the potential new revenue? NW1011E

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.

19 May 2023 - NW887

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Kohler, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies

What was the reason for the (a) Postbank activation drive in Struisbaai and (b) date chosen which preceded the by-election that took place in Ward 5 of Cape Agulhas the following week? NW993E

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.

19 May 2023 - NW767

Profile picture: Graham-Maré, Ms SJ

Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

(1) What number of staff are employed (a) full-time and (b) part-time at the Nieu-Bethesda Post Office; (2) whether all salaries and benefits of the specified staff are up-to-date; if not, will he furnish Ms S J Graham with the details of what payments are outstanding, including salaries and benefits for each staff member; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the specified post office will continue to operate; if not, what provisions are being made for postal services to the residents of Nieu-Bethesda; if so, will he furnish Ms S J Graham with the details of the staffing structure for the post office? NW866E

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.

19 May 2023 - NW43

Profile picture: Bodlani, Ms T

Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 4482 on 21 December 2022, the process of capturing transactions manually when post offices are load shed and later on the system when power is restored delays any other operations at the SAPost Office; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what procedures have been put in place to ensure that criminal activity does not take place when transactions are processed manually? NW43E

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.

19 April 2023 - NW1181

Profile picture: Siwisa, Ms AM

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

In light of the R80 million defrauding scam pertaining to student accommodation by (a) officials and (b) former leadership of the student representative council of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, what measures has he put in place to combat corrupt practices among tertiary officials?

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.

18 April 2023 - NW859

Profile picture: Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN

Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

With reference to his reply to question 146 on 28 February 2023, wherein he stated that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) would undergo a process of engaging with accommodation providers to consider accommodating students funded by NSFAS with the R45 000 cap, (a)(i) which accommodation providers has (aa) NSFAS and/or (bb) he and/or his department engaged to date and (ii) what are the outcomes of such engagements, (b) what happens in cases where the specified recommendations by his department to accommodation providers are not adopted across the board and (c) who will carry the shortfall of the affected students?

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.

18 April 2023 - NW983

Profile picture: Komane, Ms RN

Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Following the appeals process of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), (a) what is the total number of students who have been rejected by NSFAS who have appealed and (b) how does he ensure that these are legitimate rejections, noting the historical consistent mistakes by NSFAS of incorrectly rejecting deserving students?

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.

18 April 2023 - NW951

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Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)Whether his department has any plans in place to replace the lecturers from Zimbabwe and Lesotho who have been living and working in the Republic on exemption permits, but who have been told that their services are no longer required by his department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the plans; (2) whether there has been any communication with the Department of Home Affairs regarding permits for academic staff; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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.

18 April 2023 - NW928

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King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has set up guidelines for capping student accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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.

18 April 2023 - NW861

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4587 on 3 January 2023, which did not provide a reply to what he intends to do with the cohort of students who would be unable to enrol in tertiary institutions in 2023, he would clarify his intentions in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) noting that he stated in his reply that the question could only be adequately replied to in 2023, what (a) provisions has his department made for the excess number of students who may not be accommodated at the available institutions of higher learning and (b) total number of young persons who applied for entry into institutions of higher learning for 2023 were not absorbed by the relevant institutions?

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.

17 April 2023 - NW989

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Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Following the rape of a female student at a private unaccredited residence in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, which additional safety measures has his department taken to improve security in the technical, vocational education and training colleges in the Republic?

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.

17 April 2023 - NW857

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Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Following the brutal murders and attacks against students in tertiary institutions over the past few months, (a) what immediate intervening steps has he taken to ensure that security is strengthened in (i) institutions of higher learning and (ii) all accredited student residences and (b)(i) by what date(s) will the specified intervention(s) be implemented and (ii) how will it be monitored?

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.

17 April 2023 - NW846

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Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether, in light of the recent protests at the University of Witwatersrand and across institutions in KwaZulu-Natal which have been characterised by violent clashes between students and private security personnel, he has found any means of regulating the procurement of private security services by public institutions of higher learning; if not, why not; if so, (a) are their methods of engagement with student protestors regulated and (b) is there consequence management when they use excessive force against student protestors?

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.

17 April 2023 - NW843

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What (a) total number of persons have completed electrical-related qualifications at all institutions of higher learning during the period 1 January 2015 up to 31 December 2022 and (b) are the relevant details of each (i) such institution of higher learning and (ii) specified year in which such qualifications were obtained?

Reply:

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

Year

   

Institution

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

278

263

257

186

169

112

124

Central University

258

213

216

246

354

338

359

Durban University of Technology

315

369

360

363

424

458

452

Mangosuthu University of Technology

258

275

206

252

247

195

304

Nelson Mandela University

87

119

71

84

83

84

80

North-West University

74

65

44

49

57

49

67

Tshwane University of Technology

520

509

564

638

649

619

605

University of Cape Town

133

108

99

112

109

137

89

University of Johannesburg

320

338

299

374

425

286

248

University of Kwazulu-Natal

61

52

63

66

68

73

74

University of Pretoria

175

178

210

168

190

171

170

University South Africa

189

207

207

215

173

288

347

University Stellenbosch

142

145

149

175

185

170

173

University of the Witwatersrand

134

147

144

161

154

158

122

Vaal University of Technology

316

320

346

442

271

217

277

Walter Sisulu University

10

53

60

115

92

91

76

Grand Total

3269

3360

3293

3546

3647

3446

3566

17 April 2023 - NW1014

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Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

With reference to the ministerial task team that was commissioned to look at the reconfiguration of the National Skills Fund business operating model so that it becomes an effective, efficient and economically efficient skills development entity, (a) what is the update on the work the ministerial committee has done to date, (b) what impact and/or influence has been noted and (c) how has the entity been improved in becoming an economically efficient skills development agency?

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.

17 April 2023 - NW866

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)What total number of students are accommodated by (a) universities and (b) private student residences at each university in the Republic; (2) whether there are any plans to reduce private student residences in the next three financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details

Reply:

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

CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

University owned

Private Owned

Not Private

23 641

 

Private

 

4 034

UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

 

 

Not Private

12 177

 

Private

 

1 920

UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH

 

 

Not Private

6 208

 

Private

 

4 892

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

 

 

Not Private

4 970

 

Private

 

7 920

GAUTENG PROVINCE

 

 

TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

 

 

Not Private

41 395

 

Private

 

31 137

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

 

 

Not Private

6 511

 

Private

 

61 149

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

 

 

Not Private

7 603

 

Private

 

28 595

UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND

 

 

Not Private

8 559

 

Private

 

18 238

SEFAKO MAKGATHO HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY

 

 

Not Private

-

 

Private

 

5 193

VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

 

 

Not Private

6 325

 

Private

 

18 956

FREE STATE PROVINCE

 

 

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

 

 

Not Private

1 026

 

Private

 

21 244

UNIVERSITY OF FREE STATE

 

 

Not Private

3 662

 

Private

 

46 330

KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE

 

 

DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

 

 

Not Private

34 372

 

Private

 

2 773

MANGOSUTHU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

 

 

Not Private

23 888

 

Private

 

-

UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL

 

 

Not Private

35 399

 

Private

 

4 762

UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND

 

 

Not Private

1 260

 

Private

 

8 340

EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

 

 

NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

 

 

Not Private

17 402

 

Private

 

18 296

RHODES UNIVERSITY

 

 

Not Private

6 983

 

Private

 

3 225

UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE

 

 

Not Private

16 267

 

Private

 

5 806

WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY

 

 

Not Private

38 455

 

Private

 

-

NORTH-WEST PROVINCE

 

 

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY

 

 

Not Private

13 928

 

Private

 

31 079

NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE

 

 

SOL PLAATJE UNIVERSITY

 

 

Not Private

4 336

 

Private

 

1 242

LIMPOPO PROVINCE

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO

 

 

Not Private

31 786

 

Private

 

-

UNIVERSITY OF VENDA

 

 

Not Private

10 166

 

Private

 

9 816

MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF MPUMALANGA

 

 

Not Private

10 728

 

Private

 

440

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

27 March 2023 - NW547

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Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(a) By what date will the review of the outdated prescribed curriculum for mechatronics students be reviewed and (b) what total number of students are currently enrolled for studies in mechatronics?

Reply:

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

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

Vocational Subject reviewed

Implementation date of the reviewed subject

   

Mechatronics Systems L2

2020

Electro-technology L3

2023

Stored Programme Systems L3

2023

Machine Manufacturing L3

2023

Mechatronic Systems L3

2023

Electro-technology L4

2017

Stored Programme Systems L4

2017

Computer Integrated Manufacturing L4

2017

Mechatronic Systems L4

2017

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

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

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

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

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

27 March 2023 - NW574

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Mkhatshwa, Ms NT to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What strategies has his department implemented, particularly for institutions in rural and less urbanised locations, to increase access to quality student accommodation which is becoming scarce resulting in inflationary pressure on student accommodation costs?

Reply:

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

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

27 March 2023 - NW572

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Sibiya, Ms DP to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1) What is the extent of online education in the Republic as information technology is critical in expanding access to higher education; (2) whether he has found that the higher education system has the capacity to expand access through online education; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27 March 2023 - NW555

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Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether he has been informed that the R45 000 cap on accommodation for National Student Financial Aid Scheme beneficiaries often results in such students not being able to afford suitable accommodation, or even end up living on the streets in some cases; if not, will he undertake to deal with the specified issue; if so, what are the relevant details of the steps he will take to deal with the matter?

Reply:

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

27 March 2023 - NW543

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King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

On what evidence did the National Student Financial Aid Scheme rely to cap the accommodation allowance for beneficiary students at R 45 000 in each year?

Reply:

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