The Spark Igniting the Foreign Academics Debate in South African Higher Education

In early 2026, South Africa's higher education landscape faced heightened scrutiny when Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, in a joint session with the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, addressed concerns over the hiring of foreign academics at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. The discussion, held on February 18, 2026, highlighted worries that institutions might be bypassing immigration and labour laws under the banner of internationalisation. This 'foreign academics row' has since escalated, drawing in vice-chancellors, experts, and policymakers in a debate balancing global talent needs with local employment priorities.

The controversy stems from longstanding tensions exacerbated by South Africa's youth unemployment crisis, where rates for those aged 15-24 hover around 45-60%, and even graduates face 10-27% joblessness. Lawmakers argued that qualified South Africans should not be overlooked, especially amid scarce academic positions in fields like STEM.

Key Revelations from the February Parliamentary Meeting

During the joint oversight meeting, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) presented data from its Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS, audited 2024), revealing that foreign nationals constitute just 7.74% of the post-school education workforce, with South African citizens making up 92.26%. Of foreign staff, 82.89% hold instructional or research roles, primarily in universities where the figure stands at approximately 7.7-8%—stable over years and not indicative of a 'flood' as some claims suggested.

Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie emphasized, 'Internationalisation is important, but it must not be used as an excuse to ignore immigration laws.' MPs raised alarms over 67 foreign nationals in TVET colleges not linked to critical skills and instances of foreigners in non-academic senior roles like principals and CFOs, calling for verified data and audits.

Understanding the Critical Skills List and Immigration Compliance

Central to the row is South Africa's Critical Skills List (CSL), updated in 2023 with 142 occupations, including shortages in veterinary science, nursing, and certain STEM fields. Foreign hires must align with this list, waiving labour market tests only if no suitable locals exist, per Section 8(2)(b) of the Employment Services Act (2014). Violating the Immigration Act (2002, Section 38) by employing without valid permits is criminal.

The DHET's 2020 Policy Framework for the Internationalisation of Higher Education mandates foreign academics engage in knowledge transfer, such as supervising South African PhD students, to build local capacity. Institutions must advertise positions locally first and prove genuine shortages.

• Advertise jobs on national platforms like AcademicJobs.com before international recruitment.
• Verify visas via Department of Home Affairs (DHA) digital systems.
• Mandate mentorship programs for skills transfer.

Parliament's Demands: Transparency and Accountability Measures

Post-meeting resolutions required DHET to deliver a comprehensive report by mid-March 2026 detailing all foreign staff—numbers, visa statuses, positions, salaries, and skills alignment—across 26 public universities, 50 TVETs, and CET colleges. This includes auditing temporary staff and investigating non-critical hires. Committees plan joint forums with the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) and oversight of the White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugee Protection.

Letsie warned of criminal charges for illegal hires and potential Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probes, underscoring no tolerance for displacing locals.

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University Responses: Defending Internationalisation

South African universities, represented indirectly via bodies like Universities South Africa (USAf), stress foreign academics fill genuine gaps in scarce skills like mathematics and advanced research. Vice-Chancellors of Wits and Rhodes publicly decried 'xenophobic framing' threatening academic freedom. Wits VC Zeblon Vilakazi argued universities must access 'global minds' for competitiveness, while Rhodes VC Sizwe Mabizela protected faculty discourse rights.

The International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) called for evidence-based dialogue, noting stable foreign staff levels align with global norms (e.g., 12% permanent academics).University World News analysis highlights risks of chilling international collaboration.

Benefits of Foreign Academics: Enhancing SA Higher Education

Experts like Professor Sioux McKenna argue foreign talent boosts research output, global rankings, and innovation. Studies show foreign PhDs correlate with higher career success for locals via mentorship. Examples include University of Free State's mathematics professor aiding student success. DHET invests R2 billion+ in programs like New Generation Academics to leverage this, fostering brain circulation over drain.

• Increased publications and citations through collaborations.
• PhD supervision for 1000s of South Africans annually.
• Curriculum diversification with international perspectives.

Challenges Amid Youth Unemployment and Local Capacity Gaps

With 31.4% overall unemployment (Q4 2025, Stats SA) and graduate rates at 10.3%, pressure mounts. Critics note TVET irregularities and unadvertised posts. Yet, DHET counters no preferential hiring surge; locals dominate. Broader issues: outdated CSL, siloed departments, data gaps.

Case study: Cape Town TVET principal (permanent resident) sparked oversight visits revealing admin role misuse.

Expert Voices: Balancing Nationalism and Globalisation

Jonathan Jansen advocates hiring 'the best in the world,' not just scarce skills factories. Former Minister Manamela rejects xenophobia disguises. Book 'Academic Xenophobia' (2025) details African scholars' isolation, urging equity. Johan Fourie notes economic spillovers from foreign appointments.PMG meeting transcripts capture multi-party consensus on compliance.

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Towards Solutions: Strengthening Compliance and Capacity

Proposed steps include CSL updates via Operation Vulindlela, mandatory skills audits, digital visa verification, and DEL inspections. Universities could expand mentorship mandates, transparent recruitment via platforms like higher-ed job boards. DHET's R2bn investments signal commitment to locals.

• Joint DHET-DHA-DEL taskforce for annual audits.
• Incentivize knowledge transfer metrics in funding.
• Targeted scholarships for SA PhDs in STEM.

Future Outlook: Safeguarding Academic Excellence

The row risks politicisation pre-elections but offers reform opportunities. Balanced policies could position SA universities globally while prioritizing transformation. Ongoing dialogue via USAf and IEASA may prevent escalation, ensuring higher education drives inclusive growth.DHET Internationalisation Framework provides a roadmap.

Stakeholders urge evidence over rhetoric, with potential for a commission of inquiry if unresolved.