ITS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE, BUFFALO CITY FET COLLEGE, LOVEDALE FET COLLEGE AND PORT ELIZABETH FET COLLEGE DATED 22 AUGUST 2012

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, having undertaken an oversight visit to the higher education and training institutions in the Eastern Cape, reports as follows:

1. Introduction

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training undertook an oversight visit to the Walter Sisulu University, the University of Fort Hare, Buffalo City FET College, Lovedale FET College and Port Elizabeth (PE) FET college between 18 and 22 June 2012 as part of an ongoing oversight visits to institutions of higher education and training throughout the country. The purpose of the oversight visit was primarily to interact with the above-mentioned institutions on critical issues such as their admission policy, enrolment planning, their transformation plan, student access and success, and challenges of student accommodation in residences.

2. Background

The oversight visit consisted of a multiparty delegation of the Committee who visited the above-mentioned institutions on a fact finding mission. The oversight visit formed part of the Committee's plan to visit the 23 public higher education institutions and 50 Public FET colleges across the country to focus on issues of student access and success, equity and equality, institutional governance, the disbursement of financial assistance in higher education and training institutions, the relationship between FET colleges and industries and other relevant matters in the higher education and training sector.

The Committee interacted with the above mentioned three public FET colleges and two universities. The interaction with the institutions provided an opportunity for the Committee to comprehensively engage with management and stakeholders of the institutions on critical issues pertinent to their operation. The programme of the visit included separate sessions with stakeholders of the institutions to provide an opportunity for them to raise their concerns in a safe environment.

3. Composition of the Delegation

3.1 The Parliamentary delegation

The multi-party delegation of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training consisted of Adv I Malale Chairperson (ANC), Ms N Gina MP Whip (ANC), Mr S Makhubele MP (ANC), Prof S Mayatula (ANC), Mr C Moni (ANC), Mr S Radebe MP (ANC), Dr L Bosman (DA) and Prof A Lotriet (DA).

Support Staff: Mr A Kabingesi: Committee Secretary, Ms M Modiba: Researcher, Ms F Kwaza: Communications Officer, and Mr E Bazier: Committee Assistant.

3.2 Walter Sisulu University representation Prof L van Staden: Administrator, Prof L Obi: Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Research, Mr S Mnyaiza: Acting Chief Operation Officer, Prof N Luswazi: Director Centre for Rural Development, Dr S Matoti: Director Institutional Development, Mr M Letlape: Interim Executive Director Student Affairs, Mr V Dwayi: Director Centre for Learning and Teaching Development, Mr M Payi: Director Centre for Community and International Partnership, Mr K Maphinda: Director Governance and Academic Administration, Mr G Ekosse: Director Research Development, Mr T Mashalaba: Director Financial Accounting, Mr P Mfazwe: Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor and Ms A Church: Acting Director Marketing, Communications and Development.

Unions: Prof B Nakani: Chairperson, National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), Mr P Cenge: Lecturer NTEU, Dr Gumbi: Senior Lecturer / Secretary NTEU, Mr A Tyiwani: Lecturer NTEU, Ms M Yamaphi: Chairperson, National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU), Mr I Malema: Deputy Chairperson, NEHAWU, Mr N Charles: Treasurer, NEHAWU, Ms Z Makom: Member, NEHAWU, Mr N Memani: Chairperson, NEHAWU, Mr C Novukela: Member, Mr D Mafu: Shop Steward NEHAWU, Mr Z Mditshwa: Secretary NEHAWU, Mr N Blaai: Branch Executive Committee NEHAWU, Ms N Rabaza: Treasurer NEHAWU, Mr M Magewu: Extended Executive Member NEHAWU, Mr V Sonqishe: Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU, Mr S Mtshawulana: Shop Steward NEHAWU and Mr M Ntomtini: Shop Steward