The Parliamentary Joint Meeting and Official Warning
South Africa's Portfolio Committees on Higher Education and Training and Home Affairs convened a crucial joint meeting on February 18, 2026, to scrutinize the employment of foreign nationals in post-school education institutions. Chaired by Tebogo Letsie for the Higher Education committee, the session featured presentations from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The committees issued a clear directive: universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges must rigorously adhere to immigration laws and labour regulations when hiring foreign staff.
Letsie emphasized that while internationalisation enriches South African higher education, it cannot justify bypassing legal processes. Institutions were urged to prove genuine skills shortages exist before recruiting abroad, ensuring foreign hires align exclusively with the Critical Skills List. This warning comes amid broader national debates on employment equity, youth unemployment rates hovering above 40%, and the push for transformation in academia.
The meeting highlighted oversight gaps, including foreign nationals in non-academic roles like chief financial officers and principals during site visits. Such practices undermine local talent development and violate Section 38 of the Immigration Act (Act 13 of 2002), which criminalizes employing undocumented workers.
DHET's Comprehensive Statistics on Foreign Staff
The DHET drew from its Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) audited data for 2024, revealing that foreign nationals constitute 7.74% of all university staff, with South Africans making up 92.26%. Among full-time foreign employees, 82.89% serve in instructional and research positions, predominantly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields where local shortages persist.
Breaking it down further: permanent academic staff totaled 65,585, of which only 4.6% were foreigners. Unaudited temporary staff numbered 94,049, including 9,327 foreigners (9.92%). In TVET colleges, 278 foreign nationals (1.3% of 22,000 staff) primarily teach maths and science. CET colleges reported 38 foreign lecturers (0.3%). These figures underscore a relatively low reliance on foreigners compared to global norms, yet raise questions about data accuracy and hiring equity.
Minister Njabulo Nzuza (Higher Education) and deputies noted ongoing collaborations with DHA and the Department of Employment and Labour to refine data and enforce compliance. Over R2 billion has been invested in local academic development programs to reduce external dependencies.
Foreign Staff Percentages Across South African Universities
Foreign staff proportions vary significantly by institution, reflecting differences in research intensity, location, and specialization. According to DHET's presentation:
| University | Foreign Staff % |
|---|---|
| University of Fort Hare | 8.28% |
| University of the Western Cape | 8.13% |
| Wits University | 8.12% |
| Sol Plaatje University | 7.83% |
| Vaal University of Technology | 7.29% |
| University of Cape Town (UCT) | 7.18% |
| University of Venda | 6.46% |
| Walter Sisulu University | 6.37% |
| University of Johannesburg | 6.03% |
| University of Mpumalanga | 5.55% |
| University of Pretoria | 5.39% |
| University of the Free State | 4.61% |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | 4.52% |
| Cape Peninsula University of Technology | 4.26% |
| University of Stellenbosch | 4.09% |
| Mangosuthu University of Technology | 3.90% |
| Durban University of Technology | 3.32% |
| University of Limpopo | 3.00% |
| Central University of Technology (CUT) | 2.88% |
| Nelson Mandela University | 2.48% |
| North-West University | 2.37% |
| University of South Africa (UNISA) | 2.29% |
| University of Zululand | 1.99% |
| Tshwane University of Technology | 1.76% |
| Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University | 1.61% |
| Rhodes University | 1.07% |
Employment Equity Challenges in South African Higher Education
Employment equity remains a cornerstone of post-apartheid transformation, guided by the Employment Equity Act (1998) and the Staffing South Africa's Universities Framework (SSAUF). These mandate demographic representation mirroring national profiles: approximately 80% Black African, 9% Coloured, 8% White, 2% Indian/Asian. Yet, academia lags, with black South Africans underrepresented at senior levels.
Foreign hires, often from other African nations or Europe, fill gaps but spark debates on whether they hinder local progression. Universities South Africa (USAf) reports foreigners at 12% of permanent academics, stable over years. Amid 32% graduate unemployment, equitable hiring is critical. DHET's University Capacity Development Programme invests in emerging scholars, but progress is slow.
For those seeking opportunities, platforms like higher ed jobs list faculty positions prioritizing qualified locals.
Why Do Universities Hire Foreign Academics?
South African universities recruit internationally to address acute shortages in specialized fields. STEM disciplines, postgraduate supervision, and research leadership often lack sufficient local PhD holders. International staff bring global networks, cutting-edge methodologies, and mentorship, enhancing institutional rankings and output.
Internationalisation strategies—research collaborations, curriculum diversification, and student mobility—bolster competitiveness. For instance, UCT and Wits leverage foreign expertise for African and Global South partnerships. However, hires must demonstrate skills transfer: foreign academics mentoring locals to build sustainable capacity.
Prospects abound for South Africans via university jobs in growing areas like AI and renewable energy.
Parliamentary Concerns and Multi-Party Perspectives
MPs from all parties voiced unified concerns: foreign hires in non-critical roles displace locals, data opacity hides abuses, and weak vetting persists. EFF's Jules Mthembu questioned maths lecturer shortages given abundant graduates. DA's Siviwe Gwarube stressed skills transfer mandates. ANC members highlighted admin role encroachments.
Letsie clarified: "We are not against foreign academics... especially in critical subjects such as mathematics." Yet, he warned against using internationalisation as a loophole. Committees plan further engagements with Employment and Labour, demanding verified data and compliance audits.
The Critical Skills List and Immigration Regulations
The Critical Skills List (CSL), updated in 2023 by DHA, identifies occupations in shortage, including senior lecturers (NQF 9+) in key disciplines. Inclusion fast-tracks visas but requires institutions to advertise locally first, proving no suitable South Africans via Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) certification.
Step-by-step process: 1) Advertise position (21-30 days); 2) Seek DEL exemption if no locals; 3) Apply for CSL visa; 4) Monitor skills transfer. Violations risk fines or deportation. DHA's Tommy Makhode affirmed interdepartmental committees for oversight.
Read the full parliamentary statement.
Case Studies: Controversies at Key Institutions
Central University of Technology (CUT) faced 2025 scrutiny: accused of 15% foreign staff versus 1% black faculty, prompting ANC calls for review. Oversight revealed procedural lapses. Similarly, Rhodes University's low 1.07% masks past reliance on expatriates for humanities.
Conversely, UNISA's 2.29% reflects distance learning's local focus. These cases illustrate uneven compliance, fueling public distrust amid #PhDcrisis campaigns on social media.
Aspiring lecturers can bolster profiles with advice from higher ed career advice.
Impacts on Local Academics and Broader Economy
High youth unemployment exacerbates tensions: qualified South Africans feel sidelined, stalling transformation. SSAUF aims for 60% black senior staff by 2030, but foreign competition hinders. Positively, collaborations yield publications and grants, indirectly creating jobs.
Stakeholders urge balanced approaches: invest in PhD pipelines (currently 20% completion rate) and mentorship. For job seekers, rating platforms like Rate My Professor offer insights into campus cultures.
Balancing Internationalisation with Local Empowerment
International staff contribute immensely: 56% of DHET-noted foreign academics are Black African, aiding diversity. Strategies like 'internationalisation at home' diversify curricula without mass hiring. Future: DHET's policy framework standardizes practices, promoting African mobility.
Recommendations, Solutions, and Future Outlook
Committees recommend: data audits, DEL collaborations, skills transfer enforcement. Institutions should enhance local recruitment via targeted bursaries and incubators. By 2030, expect tighter oversight, rising local PhDs, and hybrid models blending global talent with equity.
For employers and seekers in South Africa higher ed jobs, compliance ensures sustainability. Explore faculty positions, postdoc opportunities, or post a vacancy to attract top talent.
DHET stats in detail | MP reactions.
- Prioritize local advertising and DEL certification.
- Mandate mentorship programs for skills transfer.
- Leverage SSAUF for emerging scholar funding.
- Monitor via HEMIS for transparency.
