IN CONVERSATION WITH PROF. MBULUNGENI MADIBA, DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION AT STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

Loading player...
More than 245,000 learners achieved bachelor-level passes in the 2025 matric exams. But public universities can only accommodate about 230,000 first-year students. That means over 100,000 qualified young people may be left without a place not because they failed, but because the system cannot absorb them. The Higher Education Department says infrastructure cannot be built overnight and so hybrid and online learning are being positioned as a solution.
Tonight, we’re asking questions about capacity, access, funding and whether hybrid learning is a realistic solution or a policy shortcut.
21 Jan English South Africa Education · News

Other recent episodes

IN CONVERSATION WITH GILBERT NCHABELENG, WITS SRC PRESIDENT

If you’re just joining us, this is Breaking Ground on VOW 88.1. Continuing with our story tonight there's a growing crisis of university in South Africa where more than 245,000 learners qualified for university last year, but public institutions can only accommodate around 230,000 first-year students. Government has pointed to…
21 Jan 16 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH DR MAKHAPA MAKHAFOLA, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF SAQA

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has warned matriculants and parents to be cautious of unregistered institutions offering fake study opportunities. SAQA says students should verify institutions before paying fees. This warning comes amid a growing number of bogus and unregistered higher education institutions in South Africa, which continue to…
14 Jan 22 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH SIPHO STUURMAN, MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER & PROGRAMMES COORDINATOR

Concerns are mounting over the growing number of bogus and unregistered higher education institutions in South Africa, which continue to exploit students desperate for university placement. Despite ongoing awareness campaigns and regulatory efforts, many young people are still being lured into paying for unaccredited qualifications that ultimately leave them worse…
14 Jan 17 min

IN CONVERSATIOON WITH KAMO DAWSON, CONTENT CREATOR

Women for change inspired a strong wave of activism on social media in the past few days, with users across the country and beyond turning their profile pictures purple to stand in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence. That energy spilled onto the streets of Braamfontein on Monday night, as…
12 Nov 2025 14 min

IN CONVERSATIOON WITH SHAUNEI GERBER, HEAD OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS AT FUTURELECT

The South African youth faces several pressing issues, including high unemployment rates and poor service delivery. Despite these challenges, youth voter turnout in urban wards remains below 40%, reflecting a worrying level of political disengagement. Many young people fail to participate in by-elections, even though these elections play a crucial…
12 Nov 2025 13 min