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Did the budget speech address SA's current challenges?

22 February 2024 Photo SUPPLIED

Opinion article by Eugene Msizi Buthelezi, nGAP Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance, University of the Free State.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the 2024 National Budget Speech on Wednesday 21 February 2024. The speech centred around promoting economic growth, addressing inequality, and ensuring sustainable development in South Africa. Minister Godongwana emphasised the importance of expanding the national pie through economic measures while also focusing on the distribution of resources to achieve social and economic justice. Monetary policy spillover to fiscal policy was evident, as the minister referenced the utilisation of the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account (GFECRA). This budget speech came at a time of significant economic challenges in South Africa, including the following:

Falling economic growth projection, reflecting that there are still persistent challenges in addressing unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
Eskom's financial woes and operational inefficiencies, which remain a critical concern.
Rising government debt, budget deficits, and debt-service expenses are among current pressing issues.
Tax adjustments, which are needed more than ever to bolster government revenue, alongside social grant increases to support vulnerable populations.
Public-private partnerships for economic growth, job creation, and enhanced productivity.

Domestic economy and fiscal outlook

The growth outlook for South Africa between 2024 and 2026 is expected to average 1,6%, indicating a shortfall of 3,4% from the targeted economic growth of 5% as outlined in the National Development Plan's vision for 2030. This discrepancy reflects the challenges facing the South African economy in addressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Nevertheless, the minister pointed out key policy initiatives in the budget speech. This included the implementation of measures to enhance procurement efficiency and promote local industrialisation. Moreover, structural reform in sectors such as electricity, logistics, water, and telecommunications to stimulate growth.

On the other hand, the elephant in the room – Eskom – remains a significant challenge in the South African economy. Eskom, the state-owned electricity utility, has been plagued by financial difficulties, operational inefficiencies, and power supply constraints, leading to frequent load shedding and disruption of economic activities. However, in the 2024 Budget Speech, Eskom was granted a debt-relief plan to alleviate its financial burden and allow the entity to focus on its core business operations. It was noted that Eskom's coal-fired power stations are being fixed and renewable energy projects are in the pipeline to promote and further enhance energy security. These interventions will ensure operational efficiency, enhance energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, reduce the frequency of load shedding, and minimise disruptions to businesses and households. Despite this, Eskom may still require significant financial investments, potentially increasing the financial burden. Moreover, integrating renewable energy and restructuring Eskom's operations may face resistance or challenges in implementation, leading to transitional disruptions.

In terms of infrastructure, the minister pointed out that partnerships between the public and private sectors to finance projects are key to delivering infrastructure projects. It is expected that infrastructure investment will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and boost productivity. However, large-scale infrastructure projects carry financial risks, including cost overruns, delays, and potential budget deficits that could strain public finances. Fiscal authorities have shown a lack of monitoring and evaluation, as the public is still awaiting a report on the generation of sustainable employment and infrastructure projects that have contributed to the overall economic growth, which is a point of concern. On the other hand, infrastructure investment may be vulnerable to corruption, mismanagement, and lack of transparency, leading to inefficiencies and suboptimal outcomes. These are some of the aspects that fiscal authorities need to look at and put necessary measures in place to ensure the success of infrastructure projects. Some of the key macroeconomic variables that were highlighted in the budget speech are the following:

The national government's debt, which is projected to reach approximately 75,3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025/26.
The budget deficit for 2023/24, which is expected to worsen to 4,9% of the GDP.
The debt-service expenses which are anticipated to increase is now estimated at R356 billion, representing more than 20% of revenue – surpassing the budgets allocated for social protection, health, or peace and security.

Given the economic challenges reflected in these macroeconomic variables, the minister has indicated that immediate reform will be through the 30% utilisation of the GFECRA, which has grown to more than R500 billion. Therefore, the government plans to use R150 billion from GFECRA, expecting a decline of approximately R30,2 billion in government debt servicing costs over the 2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The use of the account is effective, because the account provides liquidity in times of need, allowing the government to meet its financial obligations without resorting to external borrowing. Given that the account resides with monetary authorities in the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), fiscal authorities will find that GFECRA has restrictions on utilisation, limiting the government's flexibility in responding to immediate financial needs or emergencies. Moreover, depending on the size and management of the GFECRA, it could impact market perceptions of the country's financial health and credibility.

Tax and revenue

The weak performance of the economy has been identified as a significant factor contributing to a sharp decline in tax revenue collection for 2023/24. It has been observed that tax revenue for 2023/24 is R56,1 billion lower than estimated in 2023. The minister highlighted the implementation of a global minimum corporate tax, which is projected to generate R8 billion in corporate tax revenue by 2026/27. Additionally, measures will be taken to target multinational corporations with annual revenue exceeding a certain threshold. General solutions for revenue generation were proposed, which included the following:

Focusing on excise duties for alcohol products, with increases ranging between 6,7% and 7,2% for 2024/25
A 4,7% increase in tobacco excise duties on cigarettes.

Implementing these tax proposals and improving revenue collection will boost government revenue, allowing for the funding of essential services, infrastructure projects, and social programmes. This enhanced revenue generation will also contribute to fiscal stability by reducing budget deficits and public debt levels over time. However, fiscal authorities must prioritise modernising tax administration and combating illicit activities to enhance tax compliance, ensuring that all taxpayers contribute their fair share.

Social security and government spending

In the budget speech, the minister demonstrated an awareness of the pressing realities confronting South African society by announcing adjustments to social grants in line with inflation. The grant changes included, among others

R50 increase to the foster care grant;
Child Support Grant increases from R510 to R530;
Older Person’s Grant increases by R90 on 1 April and R10 in October 2024; and
COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350.

However, it is crucial to recognise that these increases may still fall short of adequately addressing the needs of those living below the poverty line, especially considering the high levels of unemployment and the rising cost of living. Moreover, while there is a commendable effort to provide support through these grant adjustments, fiscal constraints pose significant limitations. The government must navigate carefully to ensure that these increases are sustainable within the broader fiscal framework. Balancing the imperative to support vulnerable populations with fiscal prudence is a delicate task, requiring careful consideration of both short-term relief measures and long-term fiscal sustainability. Ultimately, while the announced increases in social grants represent a step towards addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable communities, policy makers must continue evaluating and refining these measures to ensure they effectively alleviate poverty and inequality while remaining fiscally responsible. Other critical government spending was pointed out in the budget speech, including the following:

An additional R25,7 billion was allocated to the education sector’s wages.
Childhood development grants increased to R2 billion over the medium term.
The health sector to be allocated a total of R848 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for health.
An allocation of R61,4 billion for employment programmes over the medium term.
A R7,4 billion for the Presidential Employment Initiative.

The effectiveness of government spending by increasing wages in the education sector is welcome, as it could attract and retain qualified educators. However, it is essential to consider whether these increases are accompanied by measures to address broader challenges within the education system. Simply increasing wages without addressing issues such as inadequate infrastructure, resource shortages, and administrative inefficiencies may limit the overall impact on educational outcomes. To maximise effectiveness, it is crucial for the government to also invest in building new schools, providing resources for the day-to-day running of schools, and implementing reforms to improve the quality of education.

On the other hand, regarding spending on employment programmes and initiatives to address unemployment, effectiveness will depend on fiscal authorities' design and implementation of these programmes. Allocating funds to employment programmes could potentially create job opportunities and reduce unemployment rates, particularly among artisans and recent graduates. However, there is still a need for alignment of employment programmes with the needs of the labour market, the provision of relevant skills training and support services, and the creation of sustainable job opportunities. Additionally, effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are essential to ensure that spending on employment programmes yields tangible outcomes.

In conclusion, the 2024 Budget Speech touched upon various critical challenges facing the nation, including economic growth constraints, Eskom's challenges, rising government debt, tax revenue shortfalls, and the need for social security enhancements. The budget speech regained the need to address these challenges effectively and pointed out the importance of ensuring that fiscal policies prioritise equitable distribution of resources and effective management of public finances. Key areas for fiscal policy focus included continued investment in infrastructure projects, coupled with public-private partnerships, which can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance productivity. It has been noted that enhancing revenue generation through effective tax policies, such as corporate tax reforms and excise duty adjustments, can bolster government revenue. On the other hand, social grant adjustments were deemed to be vital for supporting vulnerable populations, but efforts to address poverty and inequality should extend beyond grant increases. The speech acknowledged that investments in education, health care, and employment programmes are essential to promote inclusive growth and reduce socio-economic disparities.

Did the budget speech address current challenges? Yes, the 2024 Budget Speech addressed many of the current challenges facing South Africa. However, moving forward, fiscal authorities need to prioritise structural reforms, innovation, and inclusive economic development strategies to address South Africa's economic and social challenges effectively. Exploring opportunities for public-private collaboration, leveraging technology for efficient service delivery, and promoting entrepreneurship and small business development can contribute to long-term sustainable growth and prosperity. Additionally, maintaining a conducive policy environment, fostering investor confidence, and strengthening governance and institutional capacity are crucial for achieving lasting economic resilience and social progress.

The views presented here are mine, they do not represent the views and policy position of the institution I am affiliated with. I do this for community outreach as a person in academics only.

News Archive

State of our campuses

2017-10-30

STATEMENT OF THE RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR

The protests and disruptions of academic activities by students or groups of students on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) since 18 October 2017 are taking place at a critical time in the academic calendar when students are writing the end-of-year examinations.

Not only does this place strain on students preparing for examinations, it also places strain on their families, and the entire university community.

I have spent most of my time since 18 October 2017 engaging with a large number of the university’s stakeholders, including concerned parents, staff, union representatives, alumni, the media, and various interest groups to share our plans and approach towards the protests and disruptions, and to ensure our stakeholders of the executive management’s commitment towards ensuring the stability of the campuses, and the uninterrupted completion of the 2017 academic year. Similar engagements by the executive management with the Student Representative Councils (SRCs) of the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses have also taken place, and will continue.

During the past week, the disruption of academic activities, damage to and destroying of university property, criminal behaviour, and the violation of the rights of staff and students have occurred. Such behaviour is condemned in the strongest terms by the executive management, and directly contravenes the interdict granted to the UFS by the High Court of South Africa’s Free State Division on 22 February 2017. Although the university supports peaceful protests, I appeal to student leaders and the students who are in support of the protests, to continually prioritise the completion of the exams and the academic year. The executive management will keep on supporting peaceful protests of students about matters that are important to them, and obviously important to the university. However, we do not support the kind of disruptions and protests that transpired since 18 October 2017.

Last week, we were also made aware of alleged excessive use of force and assault of students by private security companies hired by the UFS at both the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses. These allegations are currently being investigated. The executive management condemns in the strongest terms any misuse of force by private security.

The situation on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses is being closely monitored, and the necessary contingency plans remain in place to ensure the safety of staff and students, and to safeguard university property.

The executive management understands and shares the concerns of academic and support service staff about the completion of the academic year. We also understand the emotional anxiety that student protests and defiance generates among staff and students. I want to thank the university community for their support, as well as members of the institutional task team for their remarkable work under difficult and trying circumstances.

There is continuity between the student protests that started last year in October and what we are facing now. The unifying theme is students’ experience of financial exclusion from higher education. A contributing factor is the fact that President Jacob Zuma has not yet released the Heher Commission’s Report on the feasibility of fee-free higher education and training, which was handed to him at the end of August 2017.

The latest developments indicate that the President might release the report by the end of the coming week. This will hopefully provide more certainty on the issue of free higher education, and could therefore contribute to the stability on campuses at South African universities. The UFS, as a collective, will actively engage with the recommendations in the report once it is available.

The executive will continue to engage with the SRC, not only to strengthen the relationship between these bodies, but to constructively address various domestic challenges on our campuses.

Prof FW Petersen
Rector and Vice-Chancellor
University of the Free State

UPDATE: 27 October 2017 at 15:03: Concession for students who experienced trauma on Friday 20 October 2017

As part of an agreement between the UFS Executive Management and the Bloemfontein Campus SRC on Monday 23 October 2017, it was agreed that there would be a process in place to allow students to write an additional exam if they experienced physical, emotional or psychological trauma relating to events that took place on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on Friday 20 October 2017.

The names and student numbers of students were sent to management. In total, 1 236 student numbers were received, of which only 1 152 students were matched and qualified for an additional exam in place of the main examination that took place in the period 23 October to 28 October 2017.

Note: Only students with predicates qualify for the above concession.

Students will be notified via email by Wednesday 1 November 2017 if their applications have been successful. Should you have any enquiries regarding the notification or need to follow up on the process, you may contact the Student Academic Services Examination Division at addexam@ufs.ac.za. Lecturers will be notified via the Dean of the relevant faculty.

The students approved via this process, will also be eligible to apply for an ad hoc exam. This process will be managed by the Student Academic Services Examination Division.

Definitions:
· Main Examination: The first sitting of the final examination
· Additional Examination: The second sitting of the final examination. For the above students, this will be their first opportunity.
· Ad hoc Examination: A once-off concession for the above students, which allows them to apply for a second opportunity.
· Special Examination: A last opportunity given to students who have one module outstanding to complete their qualification. This examination is managed by the relevant ‘home’ of the outstanding module.

UPDATE: 26 October 2017 at 15:00: The exams on the campuses are continuing and no disruptions have been experienced since it started on Monday 23 October 2017.

A fire broke out on the Rag Farm of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus during the early hours of Thursday 26 October 2017, damaging the western side of the building. Arson is expected and the incident is being investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS). On the same campus, two students were arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning for attempts to light a fire next to the Main Building. The incident is also being investigated by the SAPS.

On the Qwaqwa Campus, the situation is calm and no incidents were reported since yesterday morning.

The situation on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses is being closely monitored, and the necessary contingency plans remain in place to ensure the continuation of the exams, the safety of staff and students, and the safeguarding of university property.

UPDATE: 25 October 2017 at 14:26: Exams at the University of the Free State (UFS) are continuing today without disruptions on the campuses, after commencing on Monday 23 October 2017.

Early this morning, six students were arrested on the Qwaqwa Campus for contravening the Interdict. One of the two students who was injured and hospitalised the evening of 22 October 2017 on the Qwaqwa Campus during an incident between students, security officers, and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) when a firearm was allegedly released, has been discharged. The second student is still in hospital and recovering well. The private security company involved in this incident has since been suspended and the incident is being investigated.

The necessary safety contingency plans remain in place on the campuses, and continued discussions/conversations between the executive management and the SRCs are taking place. Notices of intention to suspend will be issued to students who performed acts of a criminal nature or who violated the rights of staff and students.

UPDATE: 24 October 2017 at 13:36: Situation on the UFS Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on 24 October 2017

The exams on the campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) started yesterday (23 October 2017) without disruptions. The situation on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses is calm today and no disruptions have occurred at exam venues. The necessary safety contingency plans remain in place.

UPDATE: 23 October 2017 at 14:54: Agreement between the UFS executive management and the Bloemfontein Campus SRC on Monday 23 October 2017

During a meeting between the executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council (SRC) this morning, the following was agreed:

1.       Students who feel traumatised by events that took place on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on Friday 20 October 2017 and do not think that they are fit to write exams, must provide their names and student numbers to the respective SRCs.

2.       In Bloemfontein, email should be sent to Asive Dlanjwa at DlanjwaA@ufs.ac.za; TyidaS@ufs.ac.za or submitted at Steve Biko House, Office 54. In Qwaqwa, email should be sent or submitted to the SRC President, Masopha Hlalele, at 2013037573@ufs4life.ac.za. These students will be excused from the exams taking place between 23 October and 28 October 2017, and will be given a chance to write additional exams. These exams will be regarded as the first opportunity.

3.       Students injured on the Bloemfontein Campus as a consequence of the events of Friday 20 October, should contact Dr WP Wahl from Student Affairs (to arrange for medical assistance).

4.       Students who wrote exams today (23 October 2017), but who feel that they have done so despite being traumatised and want to withdraw from the examination list, must indicate their names, student numbers, and the exam that they wrote. These students are also eligible for additional exams in relation to the exams set for the week of 23 October to 28 October.
5.       A window period of 48 hours (ending at 15:00 on Wednesday 25 October 2017) will be given to provide the names and details of students who experienced trauma to come forward for these arrangements to take place.

The following was also confirmed again during the meeting:

•         Students in Armentum and Beyers Naudé residences, which were singled out by the SRC as particularly affected by the events, would be offered counselling and medical assistance.

•         The 36 students jailed on Friday 20 October 2017, as well as those students residing in Armentum and Beyers Naudé who were traumatised or hurt by the events, will be starting exams a week later and will be given additional examinations for the modules they had to write during the week of 23 October to 28 October 2017.

•         Additional examination will be granted to all members of the SRC.

•         Any other student who was affected by Friday’s events and who is in need of counselling or medical attention, must indicate this to the SRC or the Office of the Dean of Students.

Please note the procedure for accessing counselling services: On the Bloemfontein Campus, students must go to the Student Counselling Offices, Health and Counselling Building (above Kovsie Health), to fill in the necessary forms and schedule emergency appointments.

UPDATE: 23 October 2017 at 07:28: Summary of events on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses since Wednesday 18 October 2017

Disruption of academic activities at the UFS started on the morning of Wednesday 18 October 2017 when a group of students blocked the main entrance to the Qwaqwa Campus and handed a memorandum to the campus management. Academic activities on the Qwaqwa Campus were interrupted, and resumed the next day. On the Bloemfontein Campus, disruption of some academic activities occurred after a meeting of students convened by the Student Representative Council (SRC). Members of the executive management subsequently met with the Bloemfontein Campus SRC, and a memorandum was handed to the executive management on 19 October 2017.

On the evening of 19 October 2017, seven students were arrested for arson on the Qwaqwa Campus, and four students were arrested on the Bloemfontein Campus on the morning of 20 October 2017 for contravening the Interdict. In the late afternoon of 20 October 2017, 36 students were arrested on the Bloemfontein Campus for contravening the Interdict. The arrest of this group of students occurred after the executive management responded to the memorandum of the SRC earlier in the day; the reply to the memorandum was rejected by the SRC and the students present.

Mindful of the Interdict and aware of the fact that these 36 students needed to prepare for exams, the university attempted to secure their release. This was not possible, given that the legal processing of these students by the South African Police Service (SAPS) had to continue. Students were finally released on bail on Sunday 22 October 2017 and will appear in court on Monday 23 October 2017.

Early on Saturday morning, the executive management met with the SRC and was made aware of incidents that took place at some residences, and the manner in which the private security company proceeded on Friday afternoon. The executive management explicitly stated that the approach taken by the security company was not in agreement with the UFS’s stand on student protest. At this meeting, it was agreed that the UFS would terminate its contract with the private security company and that it would initiate an independent external investigation into Friday’s events as soon as possible.

It was further agreed with the SRC that students in Armentum and Beyers Naudé, residences which were singled out by the SRC as particularly affected by the events, would be offered counselling and medical assistance.

It was finally agreed that the SRC, the 36 students jailed on Friday, as well as those students residing in Armentum and Beyers Naudé who were traumatised or hurt by the events, will be starting exams a week later and will be given special examinations for the modules they had to write during the week of 23 October 2017.

The students included in the categories indicated above, are the only students who had been granted special examinations. Any other student intending to request a special examination must follow the normal procedure.

Occurrences of fake news and miscommunication are taking place on social media – especially about the exams. The university’s official communication platforms (i.e. Newsflash, State of our campuses email, the website, Facebook, Twitter, Blackboard, SMS, and the ufs4life student email) are the only ones that carry official messages.
Exams start on all campuses on Monday 23 October 2017 at 08:00 and will continue as planned.

UPDATE: 22 October 2017 at 19:37: EXPLANATORY NOTE ON THE INTERDICT ISSUED BY THE FREE STATE HIGH COURT ON 22 FEBRUARY 2017

Since Wednesday 18 October 2017, disruptions and protests have occurred on and around the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS), caused by students or groups of students.

On 22 February 2017, the High Court of South Africa, Free State Division, granted an Interdict against four respondents, of which the fourth respondent includes all individuals or legal persons acting in direct or indirect support of the activities to which this matter applies.

In terms of the Interdict, no registered student of the UFS, or legal persona may:

1.     Do anything which directly or indirectly obstructs, inhibits, prevents, disrupts, delays or interferes with the academic functioning of the UFS. This includes registration of students, any functions or events taking place at the UFS, tests, examinations and the processes related to academic activities, administrative services and normal student activities.
2.     Block, barricade or obstruct roads or entrances to the UFS. Similarly, roads on the UFS campus or entrances to buildings or venues on the UFS campus may not be blocked, obstructed or barricaded.
3.     Damage or destroy any property (moveable or immovable) on the UFS campus, irrespective of who the owners are.
4.     Molest, assault, threaten or intimidate UFS staff members, students, contractors and officials.
5.     Incite, taunt, instigate, prompt or encourage any other individuals or students to act in any way that violates this Interdict.

Please note that any student(s) who who contravenes the Interdict, will immediately be provisionally suspended.

The Sheriff of the Court and/or the South African Police Services are authorised to remove and expel from the UFS property and premises any student(s) who fails to comply with the provisions of the Interdict.

This Interdict is current and valid for all registered UFS students and legal persona operating at the university.

UPDATE: 22 October 2017 at 12:42: Exams will go ahead on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on 23 October 2017
The exams will go ahead on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on Monday 23 October 2017, as per the exam timetable. All academic and administrative activities are also continuing on both campuses tomorrow.

The situation on the two campuses is calm today, and no disruptions occurred during the course of last night.

The university crisis team – including members of the executive management and Protection Services – is on alert and has worked with the South African Police Service (SAPS) during the weekend to ensure stability on the two campuses during the exams. Security measures are in place for the exams and the situation on both campuses is monitored closely.

Occurrences of fake news and miscommunication are taking place on social media – especially about the exams. The university’s official communication platforms (i.e. Newsflash, State of our campuses email, the website, Facebook, Twitter, Blackboard, SMS, and the ufs4life student email) are the only ones that carry official messages.

Exams will proceed on the South Campus as scheduled.

UPDATE: 21 October 2017 at 12:45
The situation on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) is calm today, and no disruptions occurred during the course of last night. Security measures are in place and the situation on both campuses is monitored closely.

Thirty six students were arrested on the Bloemfontein Campus yesterday at late afternoon, after a group of students clashed with members of the private security company and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The executive management met with the Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council (SRC) this morning to discuss the arrest of students, as well as the disruptions of academic activities that happened on campus since Wednesday.

UPDATE: 20 October 2017 at 12:05: Situation on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on 20 October 2017

Academic and administrative activities are continuing on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses today.

Last night, six students were arrested for arson on the Qwaqwa Campus. The South African Police Services (SAPS) and Campus Security were on the campus and are still monitoring the situation. On the Bloemfontein Campus, four students were arrested this morning for contravening the Interdict by causing disruptions at the Computer Labs and UFS Sasol Library. The SAPS is also deployed on the Bloemfontein Campus and are closely monitoring the situation, together with the university’s security team.

The executive management will meet with students on the Bloemfontein Campus at midday to provide feedback on the memorandum handed to them by the Student Representative Council (SRC) yesterday.

The safety of both staff and students remains a priority to the executive management. Staff and students on both campuses are requested to stay calm and to focus on the coming examinations and completion of the academic programme for the year. Measures are put in place to ensure that the exams will go ahead as planned. The university crisis team – including members of the executive management and Protection Services – is on alert and are working to stabilise the situation on the two campuses.

The continuation of the university’s academic programme is a serious matter to the executive management and the disruptive behaviour of some of our students will not be tolerated. Students who are identified while taking part in these incidents will be disciplined according to the university’s student disciplinary procedures.

Video recordings and/or photos of these incidents can be shared with Protection Services by contacting Noko Masalesa and Elise Saayman at masalesan@ufs.ac.za | saaymane@ufs.ac.za or +27 51 401 3436 | +27 51 401 9706.

Occurrences of fake news and miscommunication are taking place on social media – especially about the coming exams. The university’s official communication platforms (i.e. Newsflash, State of our campuses email, the website, Facebook, Twitter, Blackboard, SMS, and the ufs4life student email) are the only ones that carry official messages.

UPDATE: 19 October 2017 at 19:07: All academic activities on the UFS Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses will continue as normal on Friday 20 October 2017.

The necessary steps will be taken to ensure that outstanding classes and tests continue unhindered. Communication about the rescheduling of classes and/or tests affected by the disruptions on the Bloemfontein Campus will be sent via email tomorrow. Students on the Qwaqwa Campus must please check with the respective lecturers and/or information on Blackboard for details on rescheduled tests.

UPDATE: 19 October 2017 at 10:50: Situation on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses on 19 October 2017

During a meeting between the executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the Bloemfontein Campus on 17 October 2017, a basic percentage point of 8% increase in tuition fees for 2018 was used as discussion point. Rumours on the social media of a different basic percentage point in relation to tuition fees for 2018 are untrue.

No decision has been made about the increase in tuition fees for 2018. Tuition-fee increases must be approved by the UFS Council, and therefore no decision about an increase in tuition fees for 2018 has been made yet.

Members of the executive management met with the Bloemfontein Campus SRC yesterday and it was agreed that a memorandum will be handed over today (midday); on the Qwaqwa Campus, a memorandum was handed to the campus management yesterday.

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, has subsequently been in discussion with the President of the Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council, Asive Dlanjwa, regarding yesterday’s disruption of academic activities on the campus. The campus management of the Qwaqwa Campus are in a similar conversation with the campus SRC, and discussions will continue today.

The situation on the Bloemfontein Campus remains under control and is being closely monitored, with academic activities on the campus continuing as normal today. The situation on the Qwaqwa Campus is calm today and academic activities, including tests, are continuing as scheduled. Staff and students on both campuses are requested to stay calm and to focus on the completion of the academic programme for the year.

Please note that the university’s official communication platforms (i.e. Newsflash, State of our campuses email, the website, Facebook, Twitter, Blackboard, SMS, and the ufs4life student email) are the only ones that carry official messages.

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

UPDATE: Disruption of academic activities on the Bloemfontein Campus (19 October 2017 at 12:25 PM)

Disruption of academic activities on the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses (18 October 2017)

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