NSFAS helps South African students get money for college, especially those who can’t afford it. New leaders, like Dr. Karen Stander, are fixing past problems by being open, honest, and working closely with others. They are using technology to make things faster and easier, and changing rules to support more students fairly. Even though money is tight, NSFAS is finding ways to help more learners stay in school. Their goal is simple: make education possible for everyone who deserves it.
On April 15, 2025, a peaceful student protest at Walter Sisulu University over no running water turned deadly when the residence warden fired shots, killing one student and injuring others. The campus, once lively and hopeful, was thrown into chaos and fear. The university’s cold response deepened students’ anger and mistrust, sparking nationwide calls for justice and safer schools. This tragedy showed how deep problems like neglect and broken trust can turn a place of learning into a battleground. Yet, amid grief, students stood strong, demanding change and hoping to heal their broken campus.
The University of the Western Cape has lost a towering figure in Professor Brian O’Connell, former ViceChancellor and Rector of UWC. He transformed the university into a premier research institution, safeguarding its independence and amalgamating Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Dentistry into UWC. His legacy will continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps, and his memory will forever be etched in the history of South African higher education. Professor O’Connell was a man of vision, courage, and virtue, leaving an everlasting legacy of purpose.
The UN Women’s Participation in Higher Education in Southern Africa: Understanding the Regional Scenario webinar, hosted by the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, highlighted the persistent gender inequities in South African higher education. These disparities result from systemic barriers that began during the apartheid era and are still being felt today.
