Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has confirmed that qualifications obtained before 2009 remain valid and officially recognised, despite ongoing reforms to South Africa’s national qualifications framework. The announcement, made during a briefing postponed from the previous week, aimed to provide clarity on which credentials will be affected and what the changes mean for learners, training providers, and employers.
Manamela stated that the transition forms part of a broader effort to modernise the higher education sector and ensure better coordination between education, skills development, and the labour market.
Dr Thato Masekoa, spokesperson for the South African Union of Students (SAUS), welcomed the reforms, describing the modernisation of qualifications as a necessary step to align higher education with current industry demands. However, Masekoa emphasised that no student should be disadvantaged by the administrative transition.
“We support the modernisation of qualifications to ensure alignment with the current labour market and industry needs,” Masekoa said. “But there must be protection for those efforts, and clear pathways for where students can go to upgrade their skills to match the job market of the day.”
Concerns were raised regarding students currently enrolled in programmes slated for phasing out. Masekoa stressed that these learners require comprehensive academic support to prevent disruption mid-qualification, noting the significant investment of time, energy, and money at stake.
The discussion also addressed work-integrated learning placements. While the department places approximately 21,000 TVET students annually for practical experience, thousands remain stranded for up to two years awaiting placements required to secure their national diplomas. Masekoa questioned the effectiveness of existing commitments with the private sector regarding graduate absorption programmes.
“You would still find quite a lot of students who have gone into institutions of learning and to date they still don’t have jobs,” Masekoa noted, highlighting a mismatch between institutional offerings and market demand.
Regarding legacy N4 to N6 certificates, no hard cut-off dates have been finalised. Masekoa indicated that consultations remain ongoing with critical stakeholders, including student unions representing TVET colleges, to ensure student voices are heard throughout the transition.
Career guidance emerged as a priority area. Masekoa outlined collaboration with the National Youth Development Agency to improve information flow to high school learners, particularly in rural areas, starting from Grade 10. The initiative aims to help students make informed decisions about qualifications that enhance employability and to promote TVET sectors where skills development is urgently needed.
Addressing concerns about potential employer bias against legacy qualifications, Masekoa affirmed that qualifications issued by public institutions must continue to be recognised. “Leaving them outside is tantamount to crisis,” he said, calling for interventions to prevent discrimination.
On financial support, Masekoa confirmed that bursaries and stipends will continue for students until the completion of their degrees. He referenced NSFAS provisions that include a “plus one” year allowance, accommodating unforeseen circumstances such as module repeats within the funded timeframe.
The briefing underscored the government’s commitment to a qualifications system that serves both educational integrity and economic participation, while student representatives continue to advocate for protective measures during the reform process.
