Dawie Roodt, an economist at the Efficient Group, has advocated that certain state universities in South Africa be closed and converted into colleges, claiming that they are not creating the “right skills” in comparison to private institutions. This concept stems from a worry about the skills mismatch in the South African employment market. However, the plan to close public institutions indicates a fundamental misunderstanding of the varied functions within the post-secondary education and training system, and it risks jeopardising public…

Renowned economist Dawie Roodt said this week that most public universities in South Africa should be closed because they are not producing the required skills. He gave some examples, such as the need for electricians, and asserted that the humanities are at the bottom of the skills set production.  While theology specifically was not mentioned by Roodt in his musings, the question of its space in a university always lingers around. For this reason, one is prone to respond since…

Autumn graduation ceremonies at South African universities have become a celebration, joy and cultural display spectacle. Dancing, ululating and traditional performances such as indlamu fill auditoriums and social media feeds. On the surface, these jubilant ceremonies reflect pride and achievement, especially among Black students who have traversed significant socio-economic and structural hurdles to obtain their degrees.  However, behind the rhythmic steps and colourful gowns lies a sobering contradiction: the persistent failure of South African universities to respond meaningfully to the…

Representatives from BRICS nations convened to strengthen cooperation on the mutual recognition of academic qualifications, aiming to simplify and streamline the process of validating degrees obtained abroad. This is reported by the official website of Brazil’s Ministry of Education. The discussions were held virtually and included delegations from Brazil, China, Egypt, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, with observers from Indonesia and Ethiopia also present. Organised by Brazil’s Ministry of Education as part of the BRICS-Education activities, the…

LIMPOPO – In a proud moment for the Limpopo Legislature, the African National Congress (ANC) and many people from all spheres of society, Dr Makoma Makhurupetje, Speaker of the Legislature, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Administration by the University of Limpopo. Makhurupetje, the ANC’s provincial executive committee (PEC) member and former Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, officially received her Doctoral Degree at the graduation ceremony in Polokwane on Saturday, 12 April 2025.  The former…

The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) has appointed seasoned feminist scholar Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa, as the new vice-chancellor, effective from October 1, 2025. Meyiwa will succeed Prof Thoko Mayekiso, who has been the institution’s vice -chancellor and principal since its establishment in 2014. The UMP council chairperson Sabelo Mahlalela said they took Meyiwa’s recognised academic standing and track record of visionary, transformational and ethical leadership in higher eduction into account, when appointing her as their new mandarin. “Professor Meyiwa brings a…

UNISA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Óbuda University in Hungary to boost collaboration in engineering and technology disciplines that are central to Unisa’s 10 catalytic niche areas. This follows a similar deal signed earlier in 2025 with Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary’s oldest and largest university. The agreements were finalised during the Hungarian-South African Rectors’ Forum in Budapest, which took place from 31 March to 4 April 2025. The Hungarian-South African Rectors’ Forum is a platform created by…

Iran plans to train one million schoolchildren and train 100,000 teachers in artificial intelligence (AI). This is reported by Mehr News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS. IA cites a statement by Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy Hossein Afshin. He was speaking at a meeting with Education Minister Reza Morad Sahraei and members of the AI working group. “The first phase of the programme will start in the summer of 2025. One million schoolchildren between the ages of…

Egypt held a meeting of the Higher Consultative Committee for Human Capital Development. The meeting discussed measures to improve the education and healthcare systems, according to Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, emphasised the importance of integrating these spheres to create a healthy and educated generation. The participants of the meeting paid special attention to the development of early childhood programmes, expansion of the network…

Education remains a highly contentious subject in the African context. Historically, it has served as both a powerful instrument of empowerment, opening avenues for individual and societal advancement, and a tool of insidious subjugation, used to enforce colonial ideologies and erode indigenous knowledge systems. The enduring intersection of knowledge, power and the lingering residue of colonial legacy continues to shape contemporary debates. As such, this creates a fraught terrain where questions of who is deemed ‘educated’ and whose knowledge systems…