ATC141024: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on its Oversight Visit to North West University and Vuselela Technical and Vocational Education and Training College Dated, 22 October 2014

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on its Oversight Visit to North West University and Vuselela Technical and Vocational Education and Training College Dated, 22 October 2014

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, having conducted an oversight visit to theNorth West University (NWU) and Vuselela TVET college on 23 September 2014, reports as follows:

1. Introduction

The Portfolio Committee conducted an oversight visit to the North West University and Vuselela TVET college on 23 September 2014. This report provides a brief summary of the presentations made by the university and college. Furthermore, the report includes the observations and recommendations made by members.

2. Background

The oversight visit to the North West University and Vuselela TVET college formed part of the Portfolio Committee’s routine visits to post school education and training institutions across the country with the aim of monitoring their performance in line with government objectives. The oversight visit to the NWU was mainly informed by the report on the investigation into alleged initiation practices and reported incidents of racism particularly at the Potchefstroom Campuses. The Portfolio Committee wanted to get deeper insight into to the findings and recommendations contained in the report from Council.

In addition to the alleged initiation practices and incidents of racism, the Portfolio Committee also wanted to engage on the following:

· The North West University background and student profile;

· Council report to the Minister on the orientation and alleged initiation practices on the campuses of the university;

· Transformation policy;

· Reported incidences of racism, including the publication of the hate speech pamphlet on the Potchefstroom campus and any other recent incidences of racism; and

· Measures to prevent recurrence of human rights abuses.

The Portfolio Committee also visited Vuselela TVET college to engage on matters related to:

• Governance and administration,
• Student Enrolment 2014,
• Administration of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary;
• Credibility of examinations,
• Partnership with industries for third stream funding for improved lecturer access to workplace exposure and student work placement;
• Student Housing, and
• Pass rate, drop-out and throughput rates.

In addition to the above mentioned focus areas of the oversight visit, the Portfolio Committee invited stakeholders such as Council, Student Representative Council (SRC’s) and Labour Unions of the university and college to make inputs on behalf of their constituents. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) officials were also part of the meetings.

3. List of delegation

3.1 Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training

Mr D Kekana (ANC) Whip, Ms J Kilian (ANC), Ms S Mchunu (ANC), Ms M Nkadimeng (ANC), Ms Y Phosa (ANC) Chairperson, Mr E Siwela (ANC), Prof B Bozzoli (DA), Mr Y Cassim (DA), Mr S Mbatha (EFF) and Prof N Khubisa (NFP).

3.2 Parliamentary support staff

Mr A Kabingesi: Committee Secretary, Ms M Modiba: Content Advisor, Ms T Majone : Committee Assistant and Mr E Moholola : Media Liaison Officer.

3.3 North West University

Management: Prof D Kgwadi : Vice-Chancellor, Prof H van Schalkwyk: Rector Potchefstroom Campus, Prof M Maselesele : Rector Mafikeng Campus, Prof T Mariba : Rector Vaal Triangle Campus, Prof M Verhoef : Institutional Registrar, Ms P Mmope : Executive Director Institutional Advancement, Mr V Mothobi : Executive Director Human Capital, Prof F van Niekerk : Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Innovation& Technology, Mr T Venter: Special Advisor, Ms E de Beer: Acting Executive Director Finance & Facilities, Mr R Kettles: Chief Strategy Officer, Mr A Molefi : Lecturer and Mr P Lethobeng : Coordinator Institutional Student Affairs.

Council: Prof F van Rensburg: Acting Chairperson, Prof E Ebenso : Member, Ms M van Schalkwyk: Member, Adv J Kruger SC: Member, Ms M Claasens : Member, Prof J Swanepoel : Member, Mr A Mashilo: Member, Mr L Jacobs: Member, Ms M Kruger: Member, Prof E van der Schyff , Prof G van Rheede van Oudtshoorn : Member and Dr T Mzini : Member.

Institutional Forum: Dr K Mabe : Chairperson, Dr A Le Roux: Member, Prof A Duvenhage : Member, Ms C Foord : Member, Ms O Murray: Executive Officer and Ms B Enslin : Member.

Institutional Student Representative Council : Mr B Mokoena : President, Mr T Kgabane : Secretary, Mr D Kau : Deputy Secretary-General, Mr P Maritz: Treasurer Mr T Tshitaka : Legal Officer, Mr T Motlalepula : Sport Officer, Mr P Mokonzo : Residence Officer, Ms B Mogotlu : Member, Mr M Dyasi : Academic Affairs Officer, Ms K Mantshioa : Additional Member, Ms M Mosikidi : Healthy & Safety Officer andMr L Moheta : Member.

3.4 Vuselela TVET college

Management: Ms A Naik : Principal, Ms A Pitts: Dean of Faculty Business& Utility Studies, Ms B Masondo : Student Support Manager, Mr B Shole : Acting Deputy Principal, Ms E de Beer: Campus Manager, Mr J Ramagododi : Artisan Development Manager, Mr E Kreeling : Campus Manager, Ms B Ntsime : Campus Manager, Mr A Ali: Manager Governance & Examinations, Ms R Diutluileng : Learnership Manager, Ms P Ramodike : Student Support Manager, Mr M Ntwe : Campus Manager, Mr H Goosen : Dean of Faculty Engineering and Mr J van der Merwe: Quality Assurance Manager.

Institutional Student Representative Council: Mr T Magane : President.

3.5 Department of Higher Education and Training

Mr C Mabizela: Chief Director University Education Policy, Dr E Pedro: Chief Director, Dr P Vukea : Deputy Director Institutional Support & Sector Liaison, Ms D Masipa: Director Financial Planning, Mr J Slater: Director Labour Relations ,Ms N Rasmeni : Parliamentary Liaison Officer (PLO) Ministry, Ms G Umeh : Branch Coordinator, Mr M Chimole : SAC and Mr S Mlangeni: PLO Office of the Deputy Minister.

3.6 National Student Financial Aid Scheme

Mr M Cele : Senior Manager Student Affairs and Mr E Johannes: General Manager Finance.

4. Summary of the presentations

4.1 Remarks by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ms Y Phosa gave a succinct background of the rationale for the oversight visit to the university which was mainly to; obtain a deeper insight with regards to the orientation and alleged initiation practices report, plans to prevent re-occurrence of human rights abuses, detailed report on incidents of racism at the campuses of the university and the transformation plan of the university.

She noted that the federal model of management of the university has not been in the best interest with regards to transformation as defined in the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training which aims to deepen transformation of the entire post-school education sector. She emphasised that the NWU is a good university that is recognised for its excellence in its academic and research outputs. However, the decentralisation of management authority in the three campuses (Mafikeng, Vaal Triangle and Potchefstroom )is not a good model for a merged institution and, consideration should be made for a unitary model of management to redress the inequalities between the three campuses.

In relation to racism and the alleged initiation practices at the campuses of the university, she noted that the Portfolio Committee has zero tolerance towards these incidents as universities are places of learning for all South Africans irrespective of their backgrounds, race, culture, language or creed. She emphasised that social cohesion is very important for transformation among students and the university community at large.

4.2 Report by Council to the Portfolio Committee

Prof F van Rensburg, Acting Chairperson of council submitted an apology of the chairperson of the NWU council, Mr P van der Walt who had undergone an operation. He noted that in February 2014 reports about the alleged Nazism salute at the Potchefstroom Campus were published in various newspapers. Subsequent to that, on 3 March 2014, the university received a letter from the Minister of Higher Education and Training with clear terms of reference to council. The letter from the Minister instructed council to ensure that initiation practices are ceased with immediate effect and a thorough investigation into the reported demeaning practices is undertaken. Council heeded the call from the Minister and, management was requested to stop all initiation practices with immediate effect. Furthermore, council appointed an Independent Investigation Task Team (IITT) to investigate the alleged reported initiation practices. On the 26 June 2014, Council submitted its report to the Minister.

In relation to specific undertaking by council to the Minister, Prof van Rensburg made reference to the findings of the IITT Report which noted that; time constraints did not allow for an elaborate investigation to the alleged incidents, some of the recommendations and conclusion may have been based on untested evidence and, the audi alteram partem rule had not always been applied, the university will not tolerate any infringement of human rights and the need for the university to appoint a Student Oversight Committee (SOC).

With regards to the report on progress made with the undertakings, Prof van Rensburg highlighted the undertakings that were already accomplished and being executed by council. He made reference to; establishment of the Student Oversight Committee (SOC), re-organisation of the Human Rights Committee, inclusion of transformation in the strategic planning session process, investigation of all demeaning practices and remedial steps to prevent recurrence of demeaning incidents.

In conclusion, Prof van Rensburg noted that council will ensure that management pays due attention to related matters of principle and, the university is committed to provide accessible higher education of high quality to all South Africans within the context of unity in diversity.

4.3 North West University Current Challenges

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Kgwadi led the presentation on challenges faced by the university. He acknowledged that the university experienced incidents of demeaning practices which concerns management, council and broader society. He noted that the incidents of racism that occurred in the university were a microcosm of society and the university is seriously concerned with any infringements of human rights. He alluded that the university is committed to develop a responsible citizenry and, measures will be taken to ensure that students are informed of the importance of integration and social cohesion in particular at the campuses of the university.

In relation to the federal model of the university, Prof Kgwadi noted that the model was adopted since the merger of the university ten years ago and it has its shortcomings. He acknowledged that the model was expensive to manage and criticism on its efficiency and the failure to address racial division was noted by international panel and the management. He alluded that, though he was appointed four months ago, management of the university was in a process of undertaking a strategic planning session and the model will be reviewed.

With regards to headcount enrolment; the university has a total of 74 734 students in 2014.In classification by race, the number of African female students is 36 944, African male 15 091, Coloured female 2 470, Coloured male 975, Indian female 295, Indian male 198, White female 10 849 and White male 7 904. The number of distance students for 2014 is 37 380 for 2014 and majority are African students at 33 307. In relation to the headcount enrolment of contact students per campus; Mafikeng Campus has a total of 9 869 students, Potchefstroom Campus 21 118 students and Vaal Triangle Campus 6 360 students.

In relation to the university research profile; publication output units, doctoral graduates, masters’ graduates have all been steadily increasing despite the challenges that confronts the university. The university is ranked among the top six research intensive institutions in terms of its research profile.

With regards to transformation targets for 2020; the university set specific targets to be reached by 2020 on headcount enrolment of students by race per campus. These targets include; enrolment of 10% of White students at Mafikeng Campus, enrolment of 30% Black students at Potchefstroom Campus and enrolment of 25% White students at Vaal Triangle Campus.

4.4 Institutional Forum (IF)

The Chairperson of the Institutional Forum, Dr K Mabe noted that IF fully supports the vision of council for the university ,and condemns the demeaning practices of racism, fascism and Nazism that affect the image of the university. It also supports measures put in place by council to eradicate such practices.IF accepted a report of the investigation of the death of ThabangMakgoang during a “Fruit Festival”, andresolved to fully support the re-opening of the investigations as and when new evidence surfaces.

The IF noted its support with the vision of the new Vice-Chancellor for the development of a new strategic plan of the university for the next ten years. The notable successes of IF include; advising council on appointment of the VC and appointment of senior managers at the Mafikeng Campus.

4.5 Institutional Student Representative Council

The President of ISRC, Mr B Mokoena led the presentation on behalf of students. He noted that ISRC is the highest decision-making body on behalf of all students located in the three different campuses of the university. Apart from ISRC, the university has Campus Student Representative Councils (CSRCs) which works closely with the ISRC.

The President alluded that the authority of the ISRC is undermined in the university. In supporting this statement, he made reference to the march by the CSRC of Potchefstroom Campus to the Vice-Chancellor’s office without consultation and approval of the ISRC. He noted that the university does not provide a platform of engagement between management and university stakeholders. The structure was made aware of the demeaning practices in the university through media reports.

With regards to racism, the initiation incident tricked mixed emotions among students of the university. The recurrence of demeaning incidents clearly shows that the university has no strategy and preventative measures in place to protect human rights abuses. Of critical concern to the ISRC is that most of the reported incidents took place at the Potchefstroom Campus.

In relation to NSFAS, students experienced academic exclusions owing to shortage of NSFAS loans / bursary to cover all their costs of study. The university received R10 million from a trust fund and the ISRC was not informed on the utilisation of this funding. The ISRC proposed that this funding be utilised to assist needy students that could not be assisted with NSFAS bursary.

With regards to the language policy of the university, the ISRC was concerned with the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at the Potchefstroom Campus. The usage of Afrikaans limited the access of black students to the university and, the possibility of using English as a medium of instruction should be explored by management of the university. Furthermore, all languages should be treated with equal respect and status in the university.

4.6 National Education and Health Allied Workers Union

The Chairperson of Nehawu , Prof M Mapadimeng noted that the union is seriously concerned with the language policy of the university in particular at the Potchefstroom Campus. He alluded that the use of Afrikaans as medium of instruction at the Potchefstroom Campus remains a barrier for access especially of black students. In supporting this statement, he emphasised that vernacular languages such as Southern Sotho and Setswana should be developed to be at the same academic competency with Afrikaans. He proposed that English should be a medium of instruction at the Potchefstroom Campus to increase the participation of black students.

The Chairperson of Nehawu was concerned with the infrastructure and facilities for students at Mafikeng and Vaal Triangle Campuses as compared to Potchefstroom Campus. He noted that allocation for infrastructure development for the university should be directed more at these two campuses as they were previously disadvantaged institutions prior the merger.

The recommendations of the union to management of the university include:

· Equal distribution of resources among the campuses of the university;

· The relocation of the Institutional Office to Mafikeng Campus;

· Establishment of a Task Team to investigate disparities in the employment contracts among the staff of the university;

· Additional allocation of infrastructure grants for the Mafikeng Campus; and

· Open day for postgraduates to be convened in all campuses.

4.7 South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union

The Chairperson of SAPTU, noted that SAPTU is the majority union in the university and represents the interests of workers to management of the university. She noted that the union supports the transformation plan of the university and it was represented in various governance structures of the university.

4.8 Vuselela TVET college

The Principal of the college, Ms A Naik led the presentation. She noted that the college is one of the three TVET college in the North West Province which was formed in 2002 as a result of a merger process. The college consist of five campuses namely; Jouberton , Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Matlosana and Taung. The college has its head office in Klerksdorp. In terms of programme offering, the college offers National Certificate Vocational NC( V) and Report 191 programmes in various fields of study tailored to the demands of industries. With regards to head count enrolment for 2014, the college has a total of 8 151 students in its five campuses.

In relation to governance, the Principal noted that the council has been approved by the Minister and an acting chairperson was appointed. However, the executive of the council has not being appointed. The SRC of the college was functional and students are represented by this body in all matters.

In so far as the credibility of the examination is concerned, the Principal noted that the process is well managed and the college never experienced examination paper leakages. The college has a serious challenge of low pass and unsatisfactory throughput rates of NC( V) and Report 191 programmes which affect certification outputs. The college was allocated a total of R35 million in NSFAS bursaries for its students. The new Guidelines for the Administration and Management of DHET TVET College Bursary Scheme on travel and accommodation allowances remain a serious concern for students and management of the college.

In relation to student housing, the college has acute shortage of housing. Of the five campuses, two campuses namely, Taung and Potchefstroom have on-campus accommodation whichcan only accommodate 200 students. Alternatively, the college provides privately sourced accommodation for students that come from remote areas.

The college has partnerships with different companies, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), government departments and municipalities for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). The college has notable achievements which include; partnership with Anglo Gold Ashanti for training of lecturers industry exposure, North West University for lecturer professional development especially in maths and science, funding from Wholesale & Retail SETA to equip a Wholesale and Retail Practicum room with required equipment, partnership with Peermont Hotel group for workplace based exposure (WBE) of students and many other partnerships. The college established a placement office that is responsible for coordination and facilitation placement of students in industries.

In relation to challenges, the college is facing a serious challenge of unemployed miners committing theft at Matlosana Campus. The Principal reported that two mining shafts around the college have closed down resulting in high unemployment rate of miners. These unemployed miners stripped the closed mine infrastructure of all the valuables and they havetargeted the MatlosanaCampus and the local hospital. It was noted that the criminals are heavily armed and security companies employed by the college do not have capacity to deal with the high level of break-ins and theft at Matlosana Campus. The college is not in a good financial position to sustain the cost of the security required for this campus. Student safety is also compromised as they are attacked and stripped of their valuables on the way to the college. It was further reported that the college has lost expensive equipment for electrical engineering.

The college has a high wage bill which was putting a severe financial strain on its budget. The corporate service has too many managers in salary level 9 and their compensation consumes large portion of the college’s salary bill. The college did not have a Deputy Principal and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The challenge is compounded by the resignation of the South African Chartered Accountant appointed CFO. Additional funding is required in the college for improvement of the current infrastructure.

5. Observations

The following emerged as the key observations from members of the Portfolio Committee:

5.1 North-West University

5.1.1 Achievements

· ThePortfolio Committee commended the university for its considerable achievements in terms of success and throughput rates, increasing research outputs which include Master and Doctoral outputs, research publications, and good governance and management. It is commendable that Mafikeng Campus has significantly increased research output.Noticeably was the fact that the Mafikeng campus’ publication output was higher than the other two campuses.

5.1.2 The R10 million donation

· The Portfolio Committee noted the allegation made about the R10 million donation from an unknown trust. The Portfolio Committee supports the university’s position of instituting a forensic investigation on the matter.

5.1.3Orientation and alleged initiation practices

· The Portfolio Committee strongly condemned the orientation and demeaning initiation practices of first year students at the university’s Potchefstroom Campus residences during induction period. Furthermore, the Portfolio Committee appealed to management and council of the university to implement pro-active and preventative strategies and measures to prevent recurrence of such infringements and to actively promote a human rights culture within the university.

· The Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned thatmanagement has been aware of initiation practices at the university’s residences and, there was no plan in place to prevent these practices since they were viewed as “traditional” and started long way back before the merger of the institution.

· It was noted with concern that though the former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education year book of 1947 forbids the initiation practices at student residences, these practices continued to be practised unabated at thePotchefstroom Campus.

· It emerged that the council of the university on advice of senior counsel resolved not to publish the Independent Investigation Task Team (IITT) report for public consumption owing to possible legal action from various stakeholders. The Portfolio Committee requested council to submit the report to the Committee for its consideration.

· It was observed that though policies and procedures were in place at the university, offensive practices that were in violation of human rights took place and some of them were not reported.

· The Portfolio Committee was concerned that university inherits students who have been initiated into such demeaning practices at school leveland they maintain such practices when they get to the university.

5.1.4 Incidents of racism

· The Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned with the hate speech pamphlets inciting violence against Afrikaners distributed at Potchefstroom Campus. It was noted that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and the university should impose strict sanctions against perpetrators of this kind of behaviour.

· It was noted with serious concern that each year the university is embroiled in a number of racism related incidents and there is no comprehensive strategy to minimise these incidents.

· The Portfolio Committee appealed to the management of university to make sure that the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at Potchefstroom Campus does not alienate black students and staff.

· The Portfolio Committee was concerned with the role and effectiveness of the Human Rights Committee (HRC) of the university particularly in educating students about the promotion and protection of human rights.

5.1.5 Transformation at the university

· The university has been in existence for 10 years since its merger. The merger has been considered one of the successful mergers in the higher education sector. However ,despite this milestone and significant achievements, the university has not managed to create a new institutional identity and organisational culture that has eradicated all forms of unfair discrimination and to advance redress of past inequalities.

· The Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned that the university is still not integrated. The fact that students from the Mafikeng and Vaal Triangle Campuses do not have access and, need to request for permission to access the Potchefstroom Campus remains a serious concern for a merged institution.

· It emerged that the Campus CSRCs of the university wear different blazers that represent each campus and this creates a culture of separation within the same institution. Furthermore, there was no synergy and cooperation between the ISRC and the CSRCs of the different campuses.

· The Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned that majority of white academic staff are mostly concentrated at the Potchefstroom Campus and, there were allegations of high attrition of black academics at the campus.

· It was noted with concern that the transformation targets for black students( 30%) for 2020 particularly at the Potchefstroom Campus were inadequate and the university was encouraged to consider revising these targets during its strategic planning process.

· The Portfolio Committee emphasised its concern on the utilisation of the federal management system in the university that renders campus autonomy model. It was noted that this model is not ideal to accelerate transformation in a university that has been battling incidents of racial discrimination since its merger.

· The Portfolio Committee welcomed council’s commitment to establish the Student Oversight Committee (SOC) that will focus on transformation related matters.

5.1.6 Infrastructure development

· The department was commended for providing infrastructure development funding to increase access to and success in scarce skills related programmes like human and animal health, science, engineering and technology and African languages. However such efforts should not lead to the neglect of the humanities related programmes.

5.2 Vuselela TVET college

· The Portfolio Committee was concerned with the low certification and pass rates in the NC( V) programmes of the college which are below the national average. Furthermore, the Portfolio Committee appealed to the college to put measures in place to improve academic performance of students in all programmes.

· It emerged that the college does not have adequate tracking systems for its graduates to monitor their progress in finding employment after completing their qualifications from the college.

· It was noted with concern that the Deputy Principal and Chief Financial Officer posts were not yet filled and, the absence of these key personnel impact negatively on management of the college.

· The Portfolio Committee noted with concern the recent resignation of theSAICA CFO who also did notgive adequatesupport to the Principal.

· The Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned that the college did not claim from NSFAS an outstanding amount of R12 million for transport and accommodation allowances for both NC( V) and Report 191 students. Furthermore, the college noted that the unclaimed funds can only fund 250-300 students for allowances when applying the new NSFAS Guidelines for accommodation and transport allowances respectively; while the number of successful applicants is 3 000. The college resolved not to allocate the allowances.

· It was noted with concern that NSFAS does not adhere to the rule of paying claims from the colleges within 30 days after receiving them.

· Notwithstanding the good intention of the new NSFAS Guidelines of ensuring efficient allocation of funding, thePortfolio Committee was concerned that the guidelines cause serious suffering and hardships to students since the college could not allocate transport and accommodation allowances.

· It was noted with concern that students cannot be expected to walk a distance of 9 kilometres to the college campuses especially in areas where the crime rate is high.The non-allocation of transport allowances to students residing within a 10km radius of the college result in high absenteeism and low pass and unsatisfactory throughput rates.

· The Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned with the high level of theft and break-ins at the Matlosana Centre for Artisans and Learnerships. The lawlessness threatens government development goals of producing artisans to grow the economy. The management of the college was requested to put preventative measures to protect the assets used by learners at Matlosana Campus or find alternatives to resolve this challenge.

· It emerged that the college has a high wage bill that put severe financial strain on its budget and, and the college’s managers are in salary level nine (9) while managers at the same positions in other colleges are at level eight (8). The Portfolio Committee welcomed the undertaking of the department to conduct a study on the job evaluation to ascertain whether salaries paid to employees in certain positions are commensurate to their outputs.

· The college was commended for the dedicated effort of sourcing partnerships with industry to facilitate student work-based learning and work-based exposure. Furthermore, students who enter in work-based opportunities are often considered for employment by the companies.

· The Portfolio Committee was concerned that thecollege has a serious shortage of student accommodation.

6. Issues for follow-up

The Portfolio Committee requested for submission of the following:

· The department to submit a report on new NSFAS regulations;

· The department to submit a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of the fourth Parliament Portfolio Committee’s Oversight to Western Cape and Eastern Cape conducted in February 2014.

· The department to submit a report of astudy on the job evaluation of college employees to ascertain whether salaries paid to employees in certain positions are commensurate to the outputs.

· The university to submit a report on; student profile particularly those living in the university residences, IITT report on orientation and alleged initiation practices at campuses of the university, transformation plan, policy on student governance and report on evaluation of the merger.

7. Summary

The oversight visit to the North West University provided members of the Portfolio Committee with an opportunity to meet with all the stakeholders of the university and to hear their views and objectives particularly on; initiation practices during orientation of first year students at the university campuses, transformation, incidents of racism and the recent hate speech pamphlet distributed at the Potchefstroom Campus. In relation to its core business of offering quality higher education to all South Africans, the Portfolio Committee commended the university for its progress in academic offering and research outputs. The university is ranked among the top six research intensive universities in South Africa and the success rate of students is above the national average of 80%. In terms of governance and administration, the university has a functional council with good management in place and sound financial status. The council of the university showed commitment to transform the university based on its undertakings presented to the Portfolio Committee. However, the challenge experienced by the university is a microcosm of societal challenges particularly on the subject of integration and social cohesion. Racial divide is a societal challenge and the country should find better ways of addressing it a national level. As much as there are policies in place to prevent the scourge of racial incidents, the university has been unable to prevent recurrence of these incidents and this has negatively dented the image of the university 10 years after its merger. The current federal management system of the university has not been successful in promoting a unitary institutional culture with a single and coherent vision of a merged institution. The Portfolio Committee’s appeal to the university was for transformation to be accelerated and a unitary management system of a single and integrated institution.

In relation to the Vuselela TVET college , the Portfolio Committee was concerned with the poor academic performance of students which forms core enterprise of the college. The delays in the filling of vacant critical posts affected the work of the newly appointed Principal who is committed to turn-around the college. The department’s regulations for travel and accommodation allowances affect not only students from Vuselela TVET college but students in the entire TVET college sector and, it was the Portfolio Committee’s view that these regulations should be reviewed. The high level of theft and breaks-ins at Matlosana Campus as reported by the college to the Portfolio Committee was a serious challenge which the department was requested to address urgently. The Portfolio Committee supported the commitment of the newly appointed Principal to turn-around the college and put measures to improve academic performance of students.

8. Recommendations

The following are the Portfolio Committee’s recommendations for consideration by the Minister:

8.1 North West University

8.1.1 Management system and transformation

· The university should revisit the management model and effectively assess its efficiency as well as taking necessary measures to ensure that the model meets the national transformation goals.

· The envisaged strategic planning session of the university should focus on developing a comprehensive transformation plan that seeks to promote a single institutional culture within a unitary university.

· The university shouldmake a dedicated effort to increase a pipeline of local black academics from honours to doctoral programmes so as to attract them to careers in academia through financial support; in addition, the qualifications of the current academic staff especially of blacks and women should be improved so that they could take up senior academic and management positions.

· The university should allocateequitable budgets across the three campuses.

· The department should consider injecting funding towards expansion of infrastructure for growth of humanities.

· The university should endeavour towards ensuring that the composition of the student body at Potchefstroom Campus progressively reflects the demographic realities of the broader society.

8.1.2 Language policy

· The Department should ensure that use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at Potchefstroom Campus is not a barrier to access, especially in high cost programmes like engineering and technology which are critical for production of scarce skills and redress. The university should adhere to the principle of equity of access and success.

· The Minister should liaise with the Pan South African Language Board and the South African Human Rights Commission to ensure prevention of the use of any language at the university especially at Potchefstroom Campus for the purpose of exploitation, domination or division.

· The language policy of the university should promote multilingualism and access of students from diverse language backgrounds in all the campuses. The vernacular languages such as Sotho and Tswana should be developed and promoted to be at the same academic competency with Afrikaans.

8.1.3 Orientation and initiation practices

· The university should ban all initiation rituals and demeaning practices during the orientation period of first year students, particularly those living in student residences. The university should further inject additional resources to monitor residences during orientations as it was alleged that such incidences take place at night.

· The Minister should engage with the Minister of Basic Education in pursuit of eradicating illegal initiations of learners at all the schools for promotion of social cohesion and nation building.

· The university should consider establishing a reconciliation office that will among other things develop programmes that bridge racial divide and promote new institutional culture and identity.

8.1.4 Protection of human rights

· Promotion and protection of human rights abuses should form part of the university’s core business to curb the spread of human rights violation at the campuses of the university.

8.2 Vuselela TVET College

8.2.1 NC( V) and Report 191 certification rates

· The college should improve the academic performance of students to improve the certification rates that are below the national average.

8.2.2 Security at Matlosana Campus

· The Minister should engage with the Minister of Police to find a short term solution for protecting the campus during the December holidays. In addition, the college in consultation with the department should find an amicable sustainable solution to address the challenge of high level of theft and break-ins, safety of students at the Matlosana Campus.

8.2.3 Filling of vacant posts

· The Department should urgently fill the positions of Deputy Principals and Chief Financial Officer at the college. In addition, the department should regularly monitor performance of SAICA CFOs at all Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges to ensure they achieve on the agreed deliverables.

8.2.4 NSFAS regulations

· A comprehensive revision of NSFAS regulations for progression, travel and accommodation allowances rules should be undertaken by the department as they impact on the allocations to students.

· The monthly travel allowance of R700 is not adequate for students and possibilities on increment of this allowance should be explored by the department.

· Students who stay within 10 kilometres radius of the college should be allocated a commensurate transport allowance to enable them to come to classes regularly and for their safety.

· The college should consider sourcing a reliable transport service to transport those student who meet the eligibility criteria for transport allowance.

· NSFAS should meet its 30 days turnaround time for processing and payment of claims.

8.2.5 Restructuring

· A restructuring process of the college should be undertaken in consultation with the Department to reduce duplication in job description and high wage bill.

· The Department should rectify irregularity of appointing senior managers with the same key performance areas at different post levels.

8.2.6 Student accommodation and infrastructure

· The department should provide additional allocation for infrastructure development particularly for student housing to improve the number of students accommodated at the college given its rural location.

· The Department should consider conducting a comprehensive study on student housing at TVET colleges and to find better ways to progressively eradicate the challenge.

8.2.7 Migration process

· The Department should regularly update TVET colleges and their stakeholders on progress with regards to the migration process envisaged to take place on 1 April 2015.

8.2.8 Financial Aid Offices

· The Department should explore the possibility of NSFAS having FAOs located at institutions during the registration period, in particular institutions that are not part of the pilot of the student centred model.

Report to be considered.