Deputy President and Government not committed to funding Higher Education

05 November 2015

It is clear the ANC-led Government is not committed to finding solutions to fund the R2.33 billion shortfall created by the 0% university fee increase.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has put forward tangible solutions to fund the shortfall, which Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected this afternoon in the National Assembly.

The money is available but the political will and leadership is sorely lacking – a common trait of the President Zuma’s government.

It is clear that President Zuma, Deputy President Ramaphosa and the rest of the executive would rather prioritise funding the lavish lives of themselves and other fruitless and non-essential expenditure rather thaninvesting in the future of the country by prioritizing opportunity and ensuring universities are adequately funded.

The DA is undertaking a process to amend the Adjustments Appropriation Bill 2015 in order to reprioritise R2.9 billion for higher education. This includes:

1. Shifting R720 million to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, allocated for the “impact of the depreciation of the Rand on foreign currency denominated expenditure.”

2. Shifting R2 billion to the DHET from the sale of government’s stake in Vodacom, currently allocated to the Brics Bank.

3. Shifting R183.9 million to the DHET by reallocating non-essential expenditure including:

-  R7.48 million allocated for “increased financial support to political parties”;

- R1.25 million allocated for “vehicles for the Minister and Deputy Minister”;

- R540 000 allocated for “purchase of bulls for reproductive purposes”;

- R11.14 million allocated for “guarding services rendered to defence headquarters”;

- R200 000 allocated for “annual national beef cattle improvement awards”;

- R26.5 million allocated for “office furniture and critical security equipment for members of VIP protection”;

- R7.5 million allocated for “establishment of a South African Network for Women in Transport Summit”;

- R1.5 million allocated for “operational subsidy to the Moral Regeneration Movement”; and

- R245 000 allocated for the “refurbishment of ministers’ offices”.  

If Government is serious about funding Higher Education, they will heed the call of the DA.

The education of our youth is of national importance, and should be taken seriously. Creating opportunities for our youth is essential in building a better future for South Africa.

Statement issued by DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, 5 November 2015