Unisa online - BMF seminar highlights transformation

Kgothatso Mushi (Master of Ceremonies) speaks passionately to the audience as Prof Louis Molamu (Unisa Registrar) looks on.

A lighter moment between Kgothatso Mushi (Master of Ceremonies) and Prof Louis Molamu (Unisa Registrar)

The Black Management Forum Student Chapter (BMFsc) held their 3rd annual transformation seminar on 8 May 2012. A number of subjects were discussed including transformation in business at tertiary institutions and perhaps most importantly, the Green Paper on Post School Education and Training.

The keynote address was delivered by Unisa Registrar, Prof Louis Molamu on behalf of Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mandla Makhanya, who was unable to attend the seminar. Prof Makhanya’s speech focused specifically on higher education and the green paper on post school education and training. Click here to read Prof Makhanya’s speech.

A green paper is a consultation document setting out government’s intended policy position. The proposed legislation provides a vision for a single, coherent, differentiated and highly articulated post school education and training system. 

The green paper also plans to address the more than 2.7 million South Africans between the ages of 17 and 24 who have no jobs or means to a higher education. Strengthening the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and Further Education and Training Colleges (FET’s) are among two of the green paper’s primary objectives. In his speech, Prof Makhanya highlighted the role of the student aid scheme.  “The NSFAS Board has adopted a student-centric model and it plans to build relationships with students even before they enrol. Loans and bursaries to poor students have been expanded substantially and funds made available to students grew from R 2.375 billion in 2008 to R6 billion in 2011.”

Teacher education, adult education and training, the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), skills development and levy grant institution are among the other objectives of the green paper. Prof Makhanya pointed out that Unisa was already following the principles set out by the legislation. This includes working towards greater relationships with other higher learning institutions to make one coherent system. He also hinted at the possibility of free education in the future. “I have now established a Working Group to conduct a study to determine the actual cost of introducing fee-free university education for the poor and they will report back by the end of June.”

Prof Makhanya called upon the Unisa community to do their utmost in making positive transformation a reality. “Probably the most complex and consistent effort in that transformation will be leadership and I call upon all of you to play your part.  I trust that you will rise to that challenge, Unisa needs you and the youth of South Africa need you,” he said.

Delegates consider the transformation issues raised during the seminar