The University of South Africa (Unisa) has been under fire in recent months, with some calling for the institution to be placed under administration, due to a recent discovery of strange funds allocations.
The Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, has publicly criticised Unisa's failings but says there is a need to to act swiftly amidst this crisis, to prevent irreparable damage to the institution's standing and reputation.
Unisa recently celebrated its 150-year anniversary.
This institution really runs the risk of losing reputation and even actually going down, so I'm very determined that we act very soon to take the necessary decision on what needs to happen to address these challenges, so that Unisa can have another 150 years.
During May 2023, an investigative report was put together by an independent professor and assessor, appointed directly by Nzimande to look into Unisa.
The 308-page report highlighted and detailed what some of Unisa's funds are being spent on, revealing that significant sums of money are, in fact, not being allocated for student needs, but are instead being used for allegedly maintaining the Vice Chancellor's home.
The report also raised concern regarding governance, performance and financial management, as well as staff intimidation, and the leaking of confidential reports.
The assessor made the recommendation that the university be placed under administration.
Nzimande added:
At the moment, we are studying both the report as well as Unisa's council response, including the Vice Chancellor's response, as well as other interested parties.
This revelations made in the report has undoubtedly caused frustration and anger amongst many.
Unisa, like many other tertiary institutions in South Africa, continuously and notoriously have issues related to students and financial aid, alongside the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Students have been battling the same challenges related to funding from their universities for years, which has often resulted in protest action.
To discover that hundreds of Rands are being allocated for things like room decor, must feel like a slap in the face, considering how many students are unable to access tertiary education and those who are able to, struggle to secure decent student accommodation, amongst other prevalent issues.
Unisa's Vice Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula and Unisa's Council members have denied certain facts of this probe, with the independent assessor saying the impression was given that both parties were hoping the matter would "simply disappear."
I have observed a pattern of denial and ignorance from the Unisa council and management, even in situations where indefensible facts were presented to them. The denial of the persisting problems only serves to continue to ruin the good name and reputation of the university.
Nzimande has harshly criticised those that use Unisa for corrupt and unethical means, saying that the only aim of the university is for learning and teaching.
Former President and Unisa Vice Chancellor, Thabo Mbeki, also joined the conversation, stating that the institution should produce academics that will give thought to current challenges, not only on the African continent, but globally.
LenkaBula, says that while the institution is dealing with a number of problems, the challenge is not insurmountable.
