By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has committed to decisive, phased interventions for the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system over the next four years, acknowledging persistent structural weaknesses.
Addressing reporters in Pretoria, Manamela outlined a plan to reform the system, saying the past 19 days of nationwide consultations with students, educators, unions, institutions and employers had revealed both deep frustration and high expectations for change.
“We will reimagine and reengineer our Post-School Education and Training system for a changing world. We will fix what is broken. We will strengthen what works. And we will build what is missing. We do this because South Africa deserves a system that delivers skills, knowledge and opportunity for all – and because our future depends on it.,” Manamela stated.
His vision is anchored on six objectives: creating a unified system, expanding equitable access, aligning skills with economic needs, improving quality, strengthening governance, and ensuring sustainability.
These objectives will be driven by five strategic pillars.
Economic renewal and jobs will ensure that graduates are employable and institutions align with growth sectors, while a green just transition will position skills development to support climate resilience and low-carbon innovation.
Public sector capacity must be increased to deliver services effectively, the country’s intellectual sovereignty will be strengthened through research and innovation, and no community must be left behind.
The minister detailed a three-phase timeline.
Within three months, the department wishes to stabilise the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and initiate a sustainable student funding model; establish the PSET Reengineering Task Team; and realign and tighten oversight of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
Additionally, the department is launching three flagship projects: “Skills to Work Transitions” connecting unemployed youth to training and jobs; “Career Choices” guiding learners from early school years into suitable career pathways; and “Literacy for Empowerment” targeting four million functionally illiterate adults.
Within 12 months, Manamela said the department would pilot autonomous college and new CET (Community Education and Training) models; launch TVET curriculum pilots in emerging industries; establish a national PSET database; roll out the National Senior Certificate for Adults as an alternative school-leaver pathway; and complete legislative reviews and accelerate campus infrastructure upgrades.
Within four years, the department plans on fully implementing the sustainable funding model, consolidating SETA and CET reform, driving system-wide digital learning, institutionalising lifelong learning pathways, and expanding research capacity and global partnerships.
Manamela stressed the need to rebalance the system, which he said was “heavy at university level and quite lean when it comes to TVET and community colleges”.
He announced plans to invest in short-term, work-oriented programmes such as automotive spray painting, bricklaying and energy transition skills, ensuring young South Africans were first in line for green economy jobs.
The minister acknowledged “fundamental challenges” at NSFAS, including governance instability, corruption allegations and delayed allowance payments.
While 800,000 students have received allowances, others remain unpaid due to administrative backlogs.
Manamela warned that without reform, the current funding model risked collapse.
“We must relook at the current student funding model, identify priority skills and mobilise resources from SETAs and the National Skills Fund,” he said.
NSFAS board leadership is reviewing vacancies, including the CEO position, with the aim of appointing competent candidates to stabilise operations.
Responding to questions about SETA board appointments, Manamela said nominations for chairpersons have closed and the department was assessing candidates’ skills and capacity.
Additional member nominations were reopened to accommodate applicants without master’s or PhD qualifications, especially from labour and community sectors.
On recent grade tampering allegations at the University of Cape Town, Manamela confirmed that the institution had requested the department to lead an investigation. He commended the university over its willingness to cooperate fully and commit to accountability.
Manamela emphasised that the government could not reform the sector alone, calling for a “broad national compact for skills and knowledge” involving students, staff, business, labour, civil society and communities.
This compact would be formalised at a Higher Education National Convention in 2026 to set the sector’s long-term direction.
The department will hold a detailed briefing in September on preparations for the 2026 academic year, including NSFAS reforms, institutional readiness and funding priorities.
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