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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM-YS) notes the release of the report of the Commission into the Feasibility of Fee-Free Higher Education and Training in South Africa by President Jacob Zuma on the 13 November 2017

The NUM-YS supports the recommendation of scrapping application and registration fees at higher education and training institutions and we view this as a positive response to some demands of students in the country

However, we are disappointed that the report does not deal or address the root cause of problems that are facing students. The report further brings an element of divide and rule towards students whereby it seeks to fund or assist TVET college's not to universities.  We cannot allow the government to do that

"The country is currently faced with a high rate of youth unemployment and companies are only absorbing few leaners/apprenticeship programme as if that isn't enough they propose more debts for students," said  Bonginkosi Mrasi, NUM-YS National Secretary.

This decision of students borrowing loans at private banks will cripple young workers who enter the working environment and paid low salaries and they are also expected to repay the loans.

The Freedom Charter does not talk about students getting loans to fund their studies but it talks about students having access to higher education which is not the case currently due to economic challenges for the majority of black students," Mrasi added.

The NUM-YS calls upon for the ANC not to be a gatekeeper on this subject but mandates the ANC president to implement the policy of our beloved ANC.

We demand access to higher education and training in this country and we demand that the poorer or previously disadvantaged must get free education

Issued by NUM-YS