President Ramaphosa Unveils Expansion Proposal in SONA 2026

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on February 12, 2026, at Cape Town City Hall, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the transformative potential of education amid South Africa's evolving economic landscape. Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, he emphasized the record 88 percent matric pass rate achieved by the class of 2025, with over two-thirds of bachelor passes originating from disadvantaged communities. This success underscores the pressure on post-school education systems to accommodate surging demand.

The cornerstone announcement was a directive to the Ministers of Finance and Higher Education, Science and Innovation to develop a comprehensive proposal for constructing additional universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. These new institutions would feature specialised areas of focus, tailored to industry needs such as technology, artisan development, and innovation sectors. Ramaphosa stated, "To absorb the increasing number of young people passing matric, we will expand the opportunities for young people to enter institutions of higher learning." This move aims to bridge the gap between educational outputs and employment opportunities, particularly for youth facing high unemployment rates.

Complementing this, the President called for innovative financing models to tackle the acute shortage of student accommodation. He instructed the Minister of Higher Education to collaborate with financial institutions, signaling a public-private partnership approach to rapidly scale infrastructure.

The Higher Education Capacity Crisis Fueling the Need for Expansion

South Africa's higher education sector has long grappled with a severe capacity crunch, exacerbated by rising matric success rates. For the 2026 academic year, public universities are projected to reject over 500,000 eligible applicants due to limited spaces. With only approximately 235,000 spots available against more than 340,000 qualified candidates, the system is overwhelmed.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has approved funding for 626,935 first-time applicants, yet challenges persist. Notably, 189,222 students—109,761 from universities and 79,461 from TVET colleges—failed to meet academic promotion criteria, risking loss of bursaries. TVET colleges, numbering 50 nationwide, play a pivotal role in artisan training but suffer from underutilization and infrastructure deficits. Enrolment in these institutions remains low relative to demand, with many campuses lacking modern facilities for emerging fields like renewable energy and digital skills.

This crisis is not new; historical underinvestment has left the country's 26 public universities straining under enrolment caps. Ramaphosa's proposal seeks to address this systematically, potentially adding specialised campuses to decentralize access and align with regional economic priorities.

Immediate Backlash: Protests Erupt Outside SONA Venue

Just as Ramaphosa concluded his address, tensions boiled over outside City Hall. Students from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) staged protests highlighting the dire student accommodation shortage—a issue directly referenced in the speech. Demonstrators demanded urgent intervention, voicing frustrations over limited housing that forces many to commute long distances or forgo studies altogether.

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela responded by assuring ongoing arrangements for housing solutions. While not explicitly protesting the expansion plan, the timing amplified calls for immediate action on existing infrastructure before new builds. These events underscore the urgency, with student leaders arguing that promises must translate to tangible relief swiftly.

Political Reactions: Praise, Skepticism, and Calls for Accountability

The announcement elicited a spectrum of responses from political figures. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Kenneth Meshoe praised the initiative: “The fact that he raised issue of building more TVET colleges and universities because he wants people to be skilled is something that is commendable.”

Conversely, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema dismissed it as recycled rhetoric, citing the unfulfilled 2020 pledge for the University of Science and Innovation in Ekurhuleni: “We were supposed to hear today how far is the University of Ekurhuleni.” Rise Mzansi's Songezo Zibi advocated prioritising under-resourced institutions like Fort Hare and Limpopo universities, questioning funding amid debt servicing savings. Build One South Africa's Mmusi Maimane challenged raising the effective matric pass rate benchmark to bolster quality inputs.

• Positive: Skills alignment with economy via specialised institutions.
• Skeptical: History of delays in projects like Ekurhuleni campus, now reduced to undeveloped land.
• Constructive: Integrate with NSFAS reforms and existing capacity boosts.

These views reflect broader electoral dynamics in an election year, balancing optimism with demands for delivery.

Photo by Proper Quality Shandis on Unsplash

Skills Overhaul: TVET Colleges at the Core

Beyond new builds, SONA outlined a 'skills revolution' through a dual training model blending classroom learning with workplace experience. Reforms target Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), reducing their number for better governance and industry input. TVET colleges will serve as hubs for artisan production, with increased levy returns to employers (to 40 percent) fostering apprenticeships.

The National Skills Fund will evolve into an agile tool supporting youth employment via programs like Jobs Boost. This holistic approach positions TVETs not as secondary options but primary pathways to high-demand trades, addressing youth unemployment exceeding 40 percent in some demographics.

For those eyeing careers in technical fields, resources like higher ed career advice on AcademicJobs.com offer guidance on navigating these opportunities.

Lessons from Past Expansion Efforts

South Africa's track record on new universities is mixed. Announced in prior SONAs, institutions like the University of Science and Innovation (Ekurhuleni) and University of Policing and Crime Detection (Hammanskraal) remain stalled, hampered by funding shortfalls and planning delays. As of 2026, Ekurhuleni's site features only rudimentary structures amid bushland.

Successful models include Sol Plaatje University, operational since 2014, demonstrating that phased rollouts with private partnerships can work. Experts urge incorporating these lessons: secure ring-fenced budgets, community buy-in, and performance metrics from inception to avoid repeats.

Potential Impacts and Economic Implications

If realised, the expansion could enrol tens of thousands more students annually, boosting GDP through a skilled workforce. Specialised universities might focus on green energy, AI, and manufacturing, aligning with the National Development Plan. TVET enhancements could double artisan outputs, critical as infrastructure projects demand 75,000 skilled workers yearly.

Stakeholders anticipate reduced inequality, with rural campuses easing urban migration pressures.

Funding and Implementation Hurdles Ahead

Fiscal constraints loom large; debt servicing consumes budget chunks, prompting calls to reprioritise. The proposal's success hinges on Treasury buy-in, potentially via infrastructure bonds or international aid. Critics warn of electioneering without multi-year funding commitments.

Ministerial task teams must navigate land acquisition, environmental approvals, and equity mandates ensuring representation from underrepresented groups. Monitoring via parliamentary committees will be key.

Photo by Proper Quality Shandis on Unsplash

Stakeholder Perspectives and Path Forward

University vice-chancellors welcome capacity boosts but stress quality over quantity. Student unions demand NSFAS extensions to new sites and anti-corruption measures. Industry bodies like Business Unity South Africa endorse TVET focus for immediate employability.

Read the full SONA speech for deeper context.

Looking ahead, quarterly updates from DHET will gauge progress. For educators and job seekers, platforms like university jobs and higher ed jobs list openings in expanding institutions. Share your views in the comments and explore rate my professor for insights.