In recent weeks, South Africa's Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has sparked crucial conversations about the evolving landscape of university enrolments. Speaking at the Times Higher Education Africa Universities Summit in Nairobi, he cautioned that while significant strides have been made in boosting female participation, these equity-focused initiatives might inadvertently foster new disparities, particularly as male enrolment and completion rates continue to lag. This shift represents a pivotal moment for South African higher education, where women now constitute the majority of students, yet persistent gaps in leadership, specialized fields, and post-graduation outcomes demand a more nuanced approach to true equity.

The Transformation Journey: From Male Dominance to Female Majority

The story of gender dynamics in South African universities begins with post-apartheid reforms aimed at redressing historical exclusions. In the early 2000s, male students outnumbered females, reflecting broader societal barriers that limited women's access to education. Targeted policies, including expanded financial aid through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), affirmative action, and infrastructure investments, flipped this script. By 2023, women accounted for 62.7% of public university enrolments, a testament to deliberate interventions that opened doors previously shut.

This progress is not accidental. NSFAS, for instance, disbursed R44.6 billion in 2023, with 67.4% going to female beneficiaries, enabling 515,057 women to pursue degrees. Such mechanisms have not only increased access but also graduation rates, with women comprising 65.4% of the 220,758 graduates that year. Yet, Minister Manamela emphasizes that changing who enters the room is only the first step; transforming what the room does to them remains the challenge.

Current Enrolment Landscape: Stark Statistics Reveal the Shift

Delving into the numbers paints a clear picture of dominance. In 2023, South Africa's 26 public universities enrolled 1,071,715 students: 671,988 women and 399,258 men. This yields a Gender Parity Index (GPI)—the ratio of female to male enrolment—of approximately 1.68, far exceeding the global average and signaling overrepresentation of women. The trend has accelerated; the World Bank reports a GPI of 1.42 in 2023, up from 1.33 in 2019.

Graduation proxies highlight efficiency: women complete at 21.5% of their enrolment cohort versus 19.1% for men, underscoring higher retention among females.

Persistent Gaps in Leadership and High-Level Roles

Despite enrolment gains, power structures lag. Among professors in 2023, only 1,129 were women compared to 2,216 men—a 33.8% female share. This 'leaky pipeline' sees women excelling at entry but thinning out in senior academia. Gender pay gaps persist, and representation in vice-chancellorships remains skewed, with men holding most top positions across institutions like the University of Cape Town and University of the Witwatersrand.

Minister Manamela notes, "The pipeline has changed, but the summit of institutional authority has changed far more slowly." Addressing this requires mentorship programs, bias training, and promotion criteria reforms tailored to women's career patterns, often interrupted by caregiving.

STEM Fields: Closing In, But Not There Yet

Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) fields show promise: 2023 enrolment featured 164,867 women and 154,255 men, with women producing more graduates (36,213 vs. 29,436). However, disparities endure in engineering subfields and research leadership. Initiatives like Women in STEM scholarships at Stellenbosch University aim to sustain this momentum, but cultural stereotypes and early schooling gaps hinder full parity.

The Male Enrolment Crisis: Underlying Causes

Minister Manamela's core warning centers on male disengagement. Boys trail from matriculation—2025 results showed girls at 56% of the cohort versus 44% boys—exacerbated by notions of masculinity that prioritize immediate income over education. Poverty, family responsibilities, mental health issues, and gang involvement in townships push males toward dropout or informal work.

• Economic pressures: Many young men opt for mining or construction jobs post-matric, viewing degrees as delayed returns.
• Social factors: 'Crisis of masculinities' leads to higher school dropout; university demands clash with traditional provider roles.
• Academic preparedness: Weaker performance in maths and science limits STEM access.

Studies from Stellenbosch University reveal boys drop out earlier due to repeated failures, a pattern carrying into tertiary levels.

TVET Colleges: Similar Patterns, Unique Challenges

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) mirrors universities: 63.9% female enrolment in 2023. Yet, skills programs see male dominance (4,378 men vs. 2,619 women), reflecting gendered labour markets. Balancing this requires targeted male recruitment in non-vocational tracks while boosting female artisan training.

African Context: South Africa Leads, But Lessons Abound

Continentally, Sub-Saharan Africa's GPI hovers at 0.8 (80 women per 100 men), with SADC lagging. South Africa's model—policy-driven access—offers blueprint, but Manamela urges holistic measurement: "EDI cannot be measured only at entry; across access, progression, completion, employment, leadership." For more on his keynote, see the full DHET transcript.

Policy Responses: NSFAS and Beyond

NSFAS proves transformative, funding more women but yielding similar employment outcomes (90% women, 92% men). Future plans include male-specific bursaries, mental health support, and mentorship. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) enrolment planning for 2026-2030 prioritizes balanced growth. Coverage in Times Higher Education underscores global resonance.

Impacts on Institutions and Economy

Female-majority cohorts strain resources in humanities and education, while male shortages in engineering affect innovation. Economically, skewed graduates misalign with needs; solutions demand interdisciplinary curricula attracting diverse talents.

Case Studies: University Spotlights

At University of Johannesburg, female enrolment hit 60% in 2025, prompting male outreach via sports scholarships. Unisa, with massive online reach, reports similar trends but higher male completion in business. These examples illustrate localized strategies.

Path Forward: Balanced, Inclusive Strategies

Achieving equity means dual focus: accelerating women in leadership while re-engaging men. Recommendations include data-driven interventions, universal design for disabilities (currently 1.3%), and partnerships with industry. As Manamela asserts, "The task is to build institutions capable of producing equality for all."

Stakeholders—policymakers, vice-chancellors, students—must collaborate for a higher education system reflecting South Africa's diverse aspirations.

Photo by LT Ngema on Unsplash