DA gets Nzimande to appear before Higher Education Committee

21 October 2015

The Democratic Alliance’s request to have the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, as well as the Treasury, summoned to Parliament to account for the funding crisis at universities was today agreed to by the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education.

Minister Nzimande will appear before the committee on Wednesday, 28 October 2015.

It is clear that there is not enough money allocated to both students – through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) - and to universities in the form of government subsidies. This is at the heart of the protests across South African universities today.

The blame must be placed firmly at the door of the ANC government and Minister Nzimande for this failure to prioritise funding for young South Africans. 

The DA will hold the government accountable and propose workable solutions on how we can solve the current funding crisis, which is denying so many young South Africans a better future.

Statement issued by Prof Belinda Bozzoli MP, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education, 21 October 2015