Siegie Brownlee | CEO | Eduvos | mail me |
South Africa is undermining its own growth if the country does not consider the meaningful impact of private institutions in solving capacity constraints in higher education. The oversubscribed demand for public universities reflects a far more profound systemic issue.
Bridging this gap requires viewing private higher education institutions not just as alternatives but as necessary partners. These institutions are key to building a stronger educational ecosystem that moves our country forward.
Inclusive higher education and economic growth
South Africa finds itself at a critical juncture in both its economic growth and education system. In 2025, over 337,000 matriculants qualified for university admission. However, only 202,000 spaces exist within the country’s 26 public universities.
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane, has openly acknowledged this crisis. She emphasised that public universities simply lack the capacity to accommodate prospective incoming students. They also cannot cater to the 444,000 returning students.
This creates a growing challenge that cannot be ignored. South Africa must rethink how it expands access to higher education. This is not a theoretical issue. It has profound, generational consequences that will significantly impact the country’s long-term economic and social progress.
We must recognise the far-reaching impact of this problem on four critical areas shaping our future. These include income inequality, South Africa is frequently cited as one of the most unequal countries in the world – social and economic stability, the pace of innovation and technological advancement and the growth of our labour market.
How funding influences inclusive higher education
At the heart of this challenge lies the issue of funding. South Africa is not alone in grappling with the complexities of funding higher education.
Countries like the United States rely on student loans to support tuition fees. In contrast, public universities in France depend heavily on state funding. However, South Africa’s unique challenges are compounded by the high demand for education in a context marked by poverty and unemployment.
Despite these challenges, South Africa’s education system presents a unique opportunity for innovation and collaboration.
With mounting government budget constraints, there is growing recognition of the need for diverse educational models. These models must complement traditional approaches. They must also include effective private-public partnerships that leverage the strengths of both sectors to create a more robust and inclusive higher education system.
A solution to the triple challenge
Solving our capacity challenges requires thinking differently about higher education. No single public education institution or private organisation can solve this challenge alone.
This is especially true when considering South Africa’s triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment. All these issues are intrinsically linked to the availability of accessible, quality education. Instead, we need strong collaborations between public universities and private higher education institutions. These partnerships will become increasingly essential. They form the basis of a new approach that places our national collective agenda at the centre of innovative education delivery.
By embracing this collaborative model, we can expand access to higher education and empower students from all backgrounds. In doing so, we can address critical challenges such as capacity constraints.
Currently, for example, the private sector can accommodate at least 100,000 students. This approach will also produce graduates who are better equipped for the workforce. Moreover, it will foster long-term economic and societal growth.
Such partnerships could include collaborative research initiatives between public universities and private institutions. These projects would drive advancements in critical fields like technology, medicine, and renewable energy. Or, as we already do, to enable inclusive higher education, we could create joint programs. These would allow students to begin their studies at a public institution and complete specialised modules at a private institution or vice versa.
This model not only increases capacity but also improves the quality of education. It achieves this by combining the resources and expertise of both sectors.
While the government plays a crucial role in expanding access to higher education, private institutions can offer a complementary and high-quality solution. A blended partnership, combining the strengths of both private and public institutions, will be pivotal moving forward.
Private institutions already alleviate some of the strain on South Africa’s public universities. They can do even more by offering affordable, flexible options for students. The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) recognises the qualifications they offer as equal to those from public institutions.
The future of a higher education system
The future of South Africa’s higher education system depends on two things. First, we must recognise private higher education institutions as highly credible alternatives to public universities. Second, we must ensure the successful collaboration of public and private institutions. This partnership will help meet the growing demand for higher education without overburdening the state, which faces multiple competing priorities.
As the government continues to explore ways to fund education, private institutions can help share the burden. They can do this by offering more flexible, affordable learning options. This will expand access and enhance the variety of degree programmes designed for the future of work. Additionally, it will accelerate the nation’s footprint in education.
Ultimately, only collaboration can create a higher education system that is sustainable and truly beneficial to all. South Africa’s higher education system must evolve to meet both its current needs and the accelerated demand of future generations. This will require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration and a willingness to embrace both public and private education delivery.
Public-private partnerships, with the national good at their heart are crucial. Institutions like ours are ready to play their part in this transformation.
