First-Year Placements Limited, but Higher Education Minister Says System Ready for 2026

Loading player...
South Africa’s universities and colleges are bracing for another influx of hopefuls in 2026 - but space is limited. Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela says about 235,000 spots will be available at universities, 170,000 at TVET colleges, and 130,000 at community colleges. That’s still only enough for half of the learners who qualify. With more matriculants earning bachelor’s passes and NSFAS facing financial strain, Manamela admits not everyone will be placed. The minister joins Phemelo live in studio to unpack his plans for the higher education sector.
16 Sep 2025 4PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Music Feature: Tupac

On this week’s Music Feature, musicologist Dr Sheldon Leal looks at Tupac Shakur’s life, career and lasting influence nearly 30 years after his death. We also reflect on the rapper’s recent murder conviction, following a jury finding Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of first-degree murder in Tupac’s killing. We revisit…
3 Sep 3PM 26 min

What To Watch: Untold: Raygun, The Gentlemen 2

On this week’s What to Watch, Leroy Marc reviews Untold: Raygun – Breaking Badly on Netflix, The Gentlemen 2, also on Netflix, and Prima Facie, running at the Market Theatre from 17 September to 4 October and much more.
3 Sep 3PM 12 min

FNB Art Joburg returns for its 19th edition

FNB Art Joburg returns to the Sandton Convention Centre, bringing together leading African galleries, emerging artists and collectors. We look at what’s new this year and what visitors can expect from the fair with FNB Events Marketing Lead Nkosana Matyeshana.
3 Sep 3PM 8 min

National Council on GBVF sets priorities to tackle violence against women

The newly operationalised National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide has set out its priorities, including better coordination of the country’s response to GBVF, stronger accountability and identifying the resources needed to tackle the crisis. This comes as government highlights the scale of violence against women, with more than 50,000…
3 Sep 3PM 9 min

Nokuthula Simelane’s story sparks new call for justice

The story of Nokuthula Simelane, who was abducted and disappeared more than 40 years ago, has sparked renewed calls for justice and accountability. Her story was remembered at a gathering at the University of Mpumalanga in Mbombela, where her family reflected on her disappearance and the need to keep her…
3 Sep 2PM 16 min