Issued by Department of Education
1 March 2000
The Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal, and the Council on Higher Education (CHE) today (01 March) announced the establishment of the National Task Team to probe the size and shape of higher education in South Africa.
In a statement, the two parties said: "The higher education system continues to reflect its apartheid legacy and various aspects of the system remain dysfunctional with respect to economic and social development priorities and goals. Further, a number of institutions experience severe enrolment, management and financial problems."
The Council on Higher Education’s Size and Shape Task Team is to report to the Minister by 30 June 2000 on how to restructure the higher education system and individual institutions so that they will be more congruent with the knowledge, human resources and overall development needs of South Africa.
The Task Team comprises 11 members:
Dr Mamphela Ramphele (CHE) (Chair)
Dr Khotso Mokhele (CHE)
Prof. Brian Figaji (CHE)
Prof. Rolf Stumpf (CHE)
Mr Bobby Godsell (Business)
Mr Saki Macozoma (Business)
Mr Ebrahim Patel (Labour)
Prof. Mapule Ramashala (Higher Education)
Prof. Denis van Rensburg (Higher Education)
Ms Nasima Badsha (Department of Education)
Mr Ahmed Essop (Department of Education)
Prof. Wiseman Nkuhlu (CHE Chair, ex-officio)
Prof. Saleem Badat (CHE Executive Officer, ex-officio)
The Task Team held its first meeting on 26 and 27 February 2000. The Minister of Education addressed the opening session of the Task Team and signalled that he sought concrete proposals that addressed the specific crisis elements in the higher education system and institutions, as well as the general dysfunctionality of the overall system. The Task Team had to conduct its work in the context of advancing the national higher education policy goals denoted in the White Paper. Minister Asmal also said that no postponement of the 30 June 2000 deadline would be accepted.
Enquiries: Bheki Khumalo at 082 781 2660 or 021 465 7350
Dr Saleem Bhadat at 012 312 5372