South Africa Is Undermining Its Own Growth If It Doesn’t Consider The Meaningful Impact Of Private Institutions In Solving Capacity Constraints In Higher Education
The demand for oversubscriptions for public universities reflects a deeper systemic problem. Eduvos CEO Siegie Brownlee wrote that bridging this gap requires seeing private higher education institutions as alternatives and is a necessary partner to build a stronger education ecosystem.
South Africa is at a critical moment in both its economic growth and education system. In 2025, more than 337,000 mothers will be eligible for university admission, but there are only 202,000 spaces within the country’s 26 public universities. Minister of Higher Education and Training Nobuhle Nkabane publicly acknowledged the crisis, stressing that public universities simply lack the ability to adapt to potentially come students, not to mention the 444,000 return students. This presents an increasingly serious challenge that cannot be ignored: South Africa must rethink how it expands access to higher education. This is not a theoretical problem; it has far-reaching, generational consequences that will have a significant impact on the long-term economic and social progress of the country.
We must recognize the far-reaching impact of this issue on the four key areas that shape our future: income inequality (South Africa is often considered one of the most unequal countries in the world), social and economic stability, the pace of innovation and technological advancement, and the growth of our labor market.
The core of this challenge is the funding issue. South Africa is not alone in struggling to cope with the complexity of higher education. Countries like the United States are often supported by student loans, and French public universities rely heavily on state funds and face similar obstacles. However, the high demand for education complicates South Africa’s unique challenges, marked by poverty and unemployment.
Despite these challenges, South Africa’s education system offers unique opportunities for innovation and collaboration. With government budget constraints, the need for multiple educational models that can complement traditional methods is increasingly recognized. These models must include effective private partnerships to leverage the strengths of both sectors to create a stronger and more inclusive higher education system.
Solutions to solve the triple challenge
Solving our competency challenges requires different thinking about higher education. This is not a challenge that a public education institution or private organization can solve alone, especially when you consider South Africa’s triple challenges to poverty, inequality and unemployment, all of which are essentially related to the availability of accessible, quality education.
Instead, strong collaboration between public universities and private higher education institutions such as Eduvos will become increasingly important. These partnerships are key to a new approach that places our national collective agenda at the centre of innovative education. By embracing this collaborative model, we can expand access to higher education, empower students from all backgrounds, and address critical challenges such as capacity limitations (for example, the capacity of the private sector is currently capable of accommodating at least 100,000 students). This approach will also train graduates who can better equipment for the workforce and promote long-term economic and social growth.
Such partnerships could include collaborative research programs between public universities and private institutions to drive advancement in key areas such as technology, medicine and renewable energy. Or, as we did at Eduvos, created joint programs that allow students to start learning in public institutions and complete professional modules in private institutions or vice versa. This model not only increases capacity, but also improves the quality of education by combining resources and expertise from both departments.
While governments play a crucial role in expanding access to higher education, private institutions can provide complementary and high-quality solutions. A converged partnership (combining the strengths of private and public institutions) will be the key forward.
Private institutions have relieved some of the pressure on public universities in South Africa and can do more by providing students with affordable and flexible options. The qualifications offered are equally accredited with the South African Qualifications (SAQA) and public institutions of public institutions.
The future of South Africa’s higher education system
The future of South Africa’s higher education system depends on the view of private higher education institutions as highly reliable alternatives to public universities, as well as successful collaboration between public and private institutions. This partnership will help meet the growing demand for higher education without having to take on multiple competitive priorities. As governments continue to explore ways to fund education, private institutions can help share the burden by providing more flexible, affordable learning options. This will expand access, enhance the multiple degree programs designed for future jobs, and accelerate the country’s footprint in education.
Ultimately, only through collaboration can we create a sustainable and truly beneficial higher education system for all. South Africa’s higher education system must develop to meet its current needs and accelerated needs of its future generations. This will require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration, and willingness to receive public and private education. In this regard, the core of public-private partnerships and national goodness is crucial – institutions like ours are ready to play a role in this transformation.
