Issued by: Office of the Presidency
9 June 2002
President Thabo Mbeki yesterday (Saturday, June 8) met with the Vice-Chancellors of the historically disadvantaged universities and technikons. The meeting was held in Pretoria.
The meeting was part and parcel of the government's ongoing consultations with the affected parties on the National Plan for Higher Education in South Africa.
The President was accompanied by:
The meeting was also attended by Mr Saki Macozoma, chairperson of the Working Group on the restructuring of higher education.
After extensive discussions on the proposed plan and policy options related to the reconfiguration of higher education, it was agreed that further consultations would be held at various levels. This has been made possible by the three months window period for public consultations and inputs provided for by the Higher Education Act. All parties involved and affected by the envisaged restructuring process would be allowed to make representations before cabinet takes a final decision on the matter.
The Government will, as part of this process of consultation, engage with the other universities and technikons that were not involved in yesterday's meeting.
The Presidency and the government wish to reconfirm their commitment to an inclusive process that would, once and for all, banish the apartheid created legacy in our country's higher education landscape.
The Ministry of Education is expected to publish the government's proposals on this matter some time this week.
Enquiries: Bheki Khumalo on 083 256 9133