Tag Archives: The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education

Committee calls on Higher Education to be proactive in plugging the gap over US cuts   

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Picture: The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Dr Nobuhle Nkabane

By AGISANANG SCUFF

24 June 2025 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries, Makhi Feni, has called on the Department of Higher Education to be proactive in plugging the gap left by the US cuts in grant funding that occurred earlier in 2025. Feni said a deliberate drive is needed, even if it means going on tour abroad to mobilise resources for research purposes.

“The grant funding impact was massive and at a time when South Africa found itself operating in a fiscally constrained environment. We must not allow a situation where community-based research programmes suffer and get aborted due to this decision.

“The Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has informed the committee that work to address this issue is being done,” He said.

Feni said in addition, the government had opted for a collaborative approach, as cuts affected programmes administered by the departments of Health and of Science and Technology. According to him, Nkabane said a technical team has been set up to coordinate and collate the affected programmes.

“The committee welcomes the news that the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is contributing to resource mobilisation. We would appreciate it if all these efforts yield results.

“Our institutions are research intensive and that is one area we excel in and could not lose momentum. The committee is looking forward to receiving the report on the sector-wide impact of the funding cuts,” said Feni.

He said Nkabane led a strong departmental delegation to present the department’s annual performance and strategic plans.

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Portfolio shocked as principal shot dead

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Police and emergency responders on the scene of a shooting outside the Ekuthuleni Primary School in Kraaifontein, Cape Town on 23 January 2025. Picture: Melikhaya Zagagana/EWN

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

26 January 2025– The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, Makhi Feni, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the callous killing of Ekuthuleni Primary School principal, Jeffrey Sigudla in Wallacedene in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, Western Cape. Feni said what is alleged to have occurred has been a traumatic experience for all those who witnessed it, particularly for the young learners.

He further said the law enforcement should spare no effort in finding the culprits of this heinous act and the reasons they committed it. Feni added that the school principals are vulnerable to these kinds of hits and this is becoming normal.

“The media reports indicated that on Wednesday, the primary school principal was shot and killed in front of members of the school community. The assailants remain at large.

“We call on communities to jealously protect their schools and to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. This raises concerns about security issues around schools,” he said.

Feni said they ought to strengthen security, but that should not replace community vigilance on these challenges, as well as school vandalism. He said as much as they do not know why this happened, people ought to remember that principals are appointed by the department and the School Governing Bodies (SGBs) on account of their competence in school management.

“The committee sends its deepest condolences to the bereaved Sigudla family, their friends and the school community. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” said Feni.

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Concerns over racism in schools 

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Picture: The Pretoria High School for Girls/Google

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Makhi Feni said they have noted with concern reported incidents of racism in two schools. Feni said although these may be isolated incidents, it is possible that the problem in the basic education sector is bigger than previously thought. 

He further said racism in all its forms is deplorable and they condemn it. Feni added that the schools in question should consider meaningful programmes that will foster social cohesion and South Africanness among the learners. 

“It is unfortunate that black learners always find themselves victims of these incidents. The learners did not choose to be black and ought to be respected in the spaces they find themselves in, especially in schools.

“Two instances of racism were reported in highly regarded high schools (Pretoria Girls High and Pinelands High School) this week. In the incident at Pinelands High, several pupils have been suspended following an incident where black learners were auctioned as if they were slaves,” he said.

Feni said the racist behaviour worried the committee because it affects, not only the learner, but also the parent and the perpetrator. He said South Africans need to condemn such barbaric and uncivilised acts. 

“Modern South Africa does not have spaces reserved for whites or blacks only. This was the case in the 1960s, but certainly not now. The question we all ought to ask genuinely is what emboldens a person, hardly a teenager, with no knowledge of where we come from as a country, to act in a manner that points to racism. 

“Surely, our children are not and should not be racist. We call on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to determine the extent of the problem,” said Feni. 

He said they need to make schools safe spaces for all learners from all backgrounds. Feni said in addition, the incidents should be investigated and a determination made as to whether they were intentionally racist or a form of inadvertent oversight. 

“If it is an oversight, we ought to be circumspect when doing school projects and educators must provide guidance,” he said.

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