Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has urged matriculants to explore a range of post-school opportunities, as spaces at universities remain limited.
Speaking at a media briefing on the state of readiness for the 2026 academic year on Monday, Manamela said the department is projecting about 235 000 first-year university spaces.
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“That is a large number, but it cannot absorb every qualifying learner, [and] this is why we stress that learners must apply on time and must explore multiple options.
“Learners must recognise that SETA’s (Sector Education and Training Authority), TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges and CET (Community Education and Training) colleges are equally important pathways into work, skills, and further study,” the Minister said.
Dropout rates remain high
Manamela noted that while access to higher education has improved over the years, dropout rates, especially in the first year, remain high.
He said the department is currently in discussions with institutions to make student success rates more transparent, similar to how Grade 12 results are reported, so that “society can track not only how many enter the system, but also how many succeed.”
Currently, the Minister said the country’s universities accommodate around 1.1 million students, TVET colleges about 527 000, and CET colleges about 130 000 learners.
Through NSFAS, 900 000 students receive bursaries and loans annually, while SETAs provide thousands of learnerships, apprenticeships, and skills programmes every year, to the unemployed, those already in work, and those classified as not in employment, education or training.
“This mix is deliberate – to ensure that the post-school system serves not only the academic elite, but also those who seek practical skills, second chances, or pathways into the labour market,” the Minister said.
Funding mechanisms
On student funding, Manamela announced that the department has developed a mechanism to address the substantial shortfall experienced in the 2025 academic year.
By reprioritising R13.3 billion within existing resources, the department will support 34 000 students with blocked registrations and 15 000 students with second semester registrations.
This follows commitments made in August to stabilise the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and set in motion a sustainable funding model.
Will receive funds
NSFAS will issue a circular on Monday, 15 September 2025, to open its registration portal.
Manamela also assured student accommodation providers affected by delayed or non-payments that they will now receive funds owed for services rendered.
“This marks a significant moment in the stabilisation of NSFAS for the 2025 academic year,” he said.
However, Manamela warned that the scheme remains financially strained due to an increasing number of students qualifying for post-school education and training funding; escalating cost of living, which has expanded the eligibility criteria; and declining state resources in real terms.
“We will later in the year announce steps towards the sustainable funding reforms for NSFAS,” he said.
The Minister is expected to officially launch the 2026 NSFAS application process on Tuesday, 16 September, at the University of Pretoria.
