Hon Speaker, the ANC is proud of the commitment of some of the country's institutions of higher learning to achieving transformation while producing good quality work as well. Researchers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal have determined that the University of Fort Hare leads the country in achieving transformation of its academic staff, while maintaining good quality research output.
In their study, Govinder, Zondo and Makgoba, all from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, utilised a new indicator called the Equity Index to interpret the demographic profile of the staff and students at all South African universities.
When the 2011 Equity Index of academic staff at these institutions was plotted against their 2011 per capita research output, the University of Fort Hare was the only university to fall firmly in the quadrant depicting good equity and good per capita research output. The University of KwaZulu- Natal and the University of the Western Cape also fell in this quadrant, but were very close to the boundary. It is interesting to note that these three historically disadvantaged universities - but the University of KwaZulu-Natal partly - have begun to shrug off the legacy of apartheid.
The researchers concluded that the other 20 universities in South Africa could learn important lessons from these three universities.
The ANC congratulates these formerly disadvantaged institutions on their progress and dedication to succeeding. I thank you. [Applause.]