South Africa's higher education landscape is at a pivotal moment as the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training prepares for a crucial joint briefing on the employment of foreign academics in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Scheduled for Wednesday, 18 February 2026, from 09:00 to 13:00, this session will feature presentations from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). The focus is on addressing growing concerns over how foreign nationals are filling academic roles amid local talent shortages and employment equity imperatives.
This development underscores the tension between internationalising South African post-school education institutions and prioritising opportunities for qualified locals. With over 500,000 qualified applicants rejected from universities in 2026 due to capacity constraints, the reliance on foreign expertise raises questions about long-term sustainability. As the nation grapples with a burgeoning youth population seeking tertiary education, understanding the dynamics of foreign academics' employment is essential for stakeholders, from aspiring lecturers to university administrators.
🔍 The Academic Staff Shortage Driving Foreign Hires
South Africa's higher education sector faces a chronic shortage of qualified academic staff, particularly in specialised fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). According to Universities South Africa (USAf), public universities struggle to fill positions despite aggressive recruitment drives. This vacuum has led institutions to turn to international talent, often justified under 'scarce skills' visas.
TVET colleges, pivotal for vocational skills development, mirror this challenge. Lecturer shortages stem from industry competition—higher salaries lure qualified professionals away—and inadequate training pipelines. Recent oversight visits highlight understaffed campuses unable to meet enrolment demands, exacerbating the 2026 capacity crisis where only 235,000 first-year spots were available against 345,000 qualified matriculants.
- Universities report vacancy rates exceeding 20% in senior lectureships.
- TVETs lack lecturers with industry experience for new occupational qualifications.
- Systemic issues include delayed NSFAS funding and infrastructure backlogs.
Explore higher ed jobs opportunities to bridge these gaps and contribute to South Africa's academic workforce.
📊 Revealing Statistics on Foreign Academics in SA Institutions
Foreign nationals constitute more than 12% of academic staff across South Africa's 26 public universities, with concentrations in research-intensive roles. At the University of the Free State (UFS), 140 foreign academics represent under 3% of the total, yet sparked parliamentary scrutiny. Other institutions report up to 19% international staff, primarily from Zimbabwe (leading source) and Nigeria.
Data collection remains inconsistent, prompting the Portfolio Committee to demand detailed submissions from all universities in May 2025. In TVETs, anecdotal evidence points to rising foreign hires amid local protests over unemployed South African lecturers.
| Institution Type | Foreign % | Main Origins |
|---|---|---|
| Public Universities | 12-19% | Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Europe |
| UFS Example | <3% | Various |
| TVET Colleges | Emerging data | Zimbabwe, Nigeria |
These figures highlight the scale, but also the opacity, fueling calls for better oversight. For career seekers, platforms like university jobs list openings prioritising locals.
Parliament's Oversight: Key Concerns from Past Briefings
The Portfolio Committee has repeatedly flagged employment equity lapses. During a 2025 Free State oversight, UFS's 141 foreign academics and 26 support staff drew ire for undermining local development. The committee rejected over-reliance on 'scarce skills', urging prioritisation of South Africans and demographic representation in leadership.
Similar issues at Central University of Technology (CUT) and Wits saw criticism of foreign deans and senior roles, with black South African leadership at just 11% in some cases. PMG records show ongoing probes into governance and hiring practices.
Read the full UFS statement. These visits precede the February briefing, setting the stage for policy refinements.
Policy Framework: Balancing Internationalisation and Equity
The DHET's Policy Framework for the Internationalisation of Higher Education mandates knowledge transfer from foreign academics, including PhD supervision and capacity building for locals. An interdepartmental steering committee oversees compliance, targeting management positions.
- Foreign staff must mentor South Africans.
- Qualifications evaluated by DHET pre-employment.
- Stats SA collaboration for accurate tracking.
Yet, implementation gaps persist, as noted in July 2025 PMG discussions. The upcoming briefing may accelerate reforms. Aspiring academics can access higher ed career advice for navigating these policies.
Benefits of Foreign Academics: Expertise and Global Perspectives
Proponents argue foreign hires boost research output and global rankings. They fill critical gaps in niche areas, mentoring locals and enhancing curricula. Universities like Stellenbosch cite improved international collaborations.
In TVETs, foreign lecturers bring industry-relevant skills, vital for employability. A balanced approach could accelerate transformation while maintaining excellence.
Challenges: Local Exclusion and Transformation Barriers
Critics, including MPs and unions, decry job displacement for qualified South Africans, especially black scholars stuck in junior roles. Social media amplifies frustrations over Zimbabwean and Nigerian hires.
- Low black professorial representation (under 20% in some unis).
- PhD 'brain drain'—40% graduates emigrate.
- Equity targets unmet despite mandates.
TVET Colleges: Vocational Training Under Pressure
TVETs enrol over 700,000 students but face acute lecturer deficits. Foreign hires, though fewer, provoke backlash amid high youth unemployment. Reforms for 2026 emphasise local professionalisation, yet industry poaching persists.
Governance briefings, like Ingwe TVET's June 2025 session, reveal admin woes compounding staffing issues.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Outlook
USAf defends measured internationalisation, while ANC study groups demand transparency. DHET eyes data-driven policies post-briefing. Solutions include accelerated PhD funding, mentorship mandates, and hybrid hiring.
By 2030, equitable growth could position SA as an African HE hub. Job seekers, rate your experiences at Rate My Professor or browse SA academic jobs.
PMG Higher Education Committee page for updates.
Photo by Proper Quality Shandis on Unsplash
Actionable Insights for the Sector
To thrive amid scrutiny:
- Institutions: Implement robust equity audits and knowledge transfer logs.
- Aspirants: Pursue niche qualifications; leverage faculty jobs.
- Policymakers: Enforce inter-departmental tracking.
The February briefing could herald balanced reforms, ensuring foreign expertise complements, not supplants, local talent. Stay informed via higher education news.
