Chairperson, it is really unfortunate on the side of the DA, if not unfair, that they would not support this Vote because of unforeseen circumstances like universities or colleges that find themselves in trouble. Actually, no one plans for that. We are aware that the issue of former black universities and colleges that used to cater for black people is a very dire situation. Government has not been sitting back and not doing anything.
As a matter of fact, from 1994 we had earmarked grants for infrastructure and other facilities in an attempt to address the infrastructural backlogs. In addition to that, I have appointed a Ministerial Review Committee, headed by Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, to review the entire funding formula for universities in particular.
The funding formula has worked positively in some respects, but in others it has been more punitive to institutions that require more assistance. One of the terms of reference that I have put for the review committee is how we should escalate quite significantly the amount of funds that we allocate to universities that were serving the black population in the past.
We are not waiting for those results. In terms of the budget that is in our hands, we are already looking into how to increase the allocation into infrastructure for both colleges as well as universities, with a view to actually addressing these particular problems. That issue is a priority for my department. At the moment, we are prioritising institutions like the Walter Sisulu University that are facing serious troubles. Surely, I can't be blamed for appointing an administrator.
Fortunately, all the stakeholders agreed that we need an administrator in that institution. Really, we think it is just being an opposition for the sake of it, opposing this Vote just for the purposes of some of the things that cannot be anticipated, like institutions that are in trouble. Ngiyabonga. [I thank you.]