2017 Annual Report

The university sector is operating in trying times, as universities struggle to remain financially viable. Of relevance in this regard, is the #Fees-Must-Fall campaign, which led the State President to appoint the Heher Commission to investigate the matter. The Heher Commission of Inquiry Report into the Possibility of Free Tertiary Education in South Africa was compiled by the Commission. The Report does not recommend the introduction of fee-free tertiary education, and made recommendations on a number of matters relating to the financing of higher education institutions. As indicated earlier, the State President’s response was an announcement of the implementation of a fee-free higher education system, to be implemented as of 2018, to be phased in over a five-year period.

In the report it is highlighted that the uncertainty around universities’ tuition fees has been de-stabilising. Whilst awaiting the release of the Presidential Commission’s report by the State President of South Africa, the university sector in South Africa
was under pressure.