10% to University damages is simply not enough
9 June 2016
In a parliamentary reply to questions asked by the DA, the Minister of Higher Education and Training stated that his department has contributed R40,496 million, a mere 10%, towards damages at the five historically disadvantaged universities.
This is simply not enough to repair these tertiary institutions.
The affected universities, namely the University of Fort Hare, University of Zululand, University of the Western Cape, Walter Sisulu University, North West University and the University of Limpopo will have to now foot the bill for these damages despite them being on the brink of collapse due to 0% fee increase and a history of chronic underfunding of the sector by government.
These institutions constitute only 6 of the 17 Universities that have suffered damage to property as a result to rising tensions and incidents of politically incited violence in the #FeesMustFall and other protests, and the R40,496 million is less than 10% of the R459,835 million accrued in damages.
Universities have reported only 5% in insurance pay outs, which remains inadequate to ensure that the tertiary sector achieves a sense of normality in performing its core function, which is educating the youth of the country and providing suitable employees who will be the backbone of our already ailing economy.
Minister Nzimande has not stated where all this money has come from, and this inadequate response shows a disinterest and unwillingness to lead in ensuring the stability of our universities. The poor are the ones who are suffering the most as our underfunded universities have all now entered a period of austerity and have increasingly become unable to invest in new infrastructure, student support programmes or bursaries.
Earlier this year, the DA proposed several amendments to the main budget to redirect R2,7 billion away from unnecessary spending and into higher education spending. Inexplicably, given the current malaise, the ANC voted down this proposal. The ANC governs like young black lives do not matter.
The Minister has not provided a long term plan, and his media-based approach to reveal his mediocre response to the tertiary education crises shows both a lack of leadership and concern for the future of our country.
This glorification of mediocrity is characteristic of ANC governance, and 3 August will allow South Africans to vote for a government that will prioritise quality tertiary education and funding for those who cannot afford it.
Issued by Belinda Bozzoli, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education and Training, 9 June 2016
