Portfolio Committee Oversight: Eastern Cape Universities Gear Up for 2026 Readiness Challenges

Understanding the Portfolio Committee's Oversight Mission in the Eastern Cape

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, a key parliamentary body in South Africa responsible for overseeing the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), has embarked on a series of critical oversight visits across the country. These visits aim to evaluate the state of readiness of post-school education and training (PSET) institutions—including universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges—for the upcoming 2026 academic year. In the Eastern Cape, one of South Africa's most rural and economically challenged provinces, the committee's focus sharpened on February 2 and 3, 2026, with inspections at major institutions like Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and Nelson Mandela University (NMU).

This initiative stems from longstanding concerns about capacity constraints, infrastructure deficits, and equitable access to higher education, particularly in underserved regions. The Eastern Cape, home to about 6.7 million people and grappling with high poverty rates exceeding 60%, relies heavily on these institutions to transform lives through education. The committee, chaired by Mr. Teboho Letsie, engages directly with university management, students, and staff to gauge preparedness in areas such as academic planning, student support services, infrastructure development, funding allocation, and campus safety.

By conducting these on-site assessments, the committee ensures accountability and pushes for proactive measures ahead of the academic year, which typically starts in late January or early February. This hands-on approach allows lawmakers to witness firsthand the gaps between policy promises and on-ground realities.

Day One: Spotlight on Walter Sisulu University's Komani Campus

The oversight kicked off at Walter Sisulu University’s Komani (Queenstown) campus, a multi-site institution serving rural Eastern Cape communities from its bases in Mthatha, Butterworth, and Queenstown. WSU, established in 2005 through mergers of former technikons and teachers' colleges, enrolls over 25,000 students annually and is pivotal for first-generation learners from low-income backgrounds.

Committee members toured facilities, reviewed enrolment data, and held discussions with leadership. WSU management highlighted ambitious expansion plans, projecting capacity for up to 60,000 students via blended on-site and off-site learning models. However, stark realities emerged: the university received nearly 500,000 applications for just 7,000 available spots, underscoring a severe oversubscription crisis driven by its accessibility to poor, rural applicants.

Land ownership issues loomed large—WSU occupies Department of Public Works and Infrastructure land, stalling expansions and refurbishments. Digital infrastructure lags, with inadequate fibre connectivity hampering modern teaching. Maintenance shortfalls were evident in deteriorated ICT laboratories and a poorly equipped student health centre, where basic medical devices were non-functional.

Critical Challenges Uncovered at WSU During the Visit

The visit illuminated systemic hurdles impeding WSU's 2026 readiness. Infrastructure bottlenecks, including delayed upgrades, prevent scaling enrolment despite demand. Bureaucratic delays from DHET have exacerbated these, with university vice-chancellor Professor Ranjit Kally highlighting a lack of cooperation slowing development projects.

Student Representative Council (SRC) leaders contested management's optimism, citing unresolved academic exclusions—where financially strained students are barred from registering—and weakened security amid budget cuts. These issues risk disrupting the academic start, potentially affecting thousands.

• Enrolment Mismatch: 500,000+ applications vs. 7,000 spaces, limiting access for qualified matriculants.
• Infrastructure Gaps: No land ownership, poor maintenance of labs and health facilities.
• Digital Deficits: Insufficient connectivity for online learning expansion.
• Funding and Support: Delayed DHET interventions hindering growth.

Such challenges mirror national trends, where South African public universities operate at over 90% capacity, turning away an estimated 200,000 qualifying applicants yearly.

Committee's Urgent Call for DHET Intervention

Responding decisively, Chairperson Letsie and members like Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi and Dr. Delmaine Christians demanded immediate DHET action. 'WSU cannot become a university of the future without DHET’s full commitment,' stated Ngcukaitobi, emphasizing investments in infrastructure, digital tools, and flexible enrolment strategies.

The absence of DHET's Director-General during the visit drew sharp criticism, signaling bureaucratic indifference. The committee resolved to push for land transfer resolutions, accelerated funding, and a national enrolment plan to bolster rural access. Christians noted, 'Rural location cannot be an excuse—innovation must meet DHET support.'

These resolutions align with DHET's Revised Annual Performance Plan 2025/2026, which prioritizes PSET expansion but requires stronger execution.Read the full Parliament statement.

Shifting Focus to Nelson Mandela University

On February 3-4, the committee proceeded to Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), assessing its Ocean Sciences Campus. NMU, a comprehensive university with strengths in health sciences, engineering, and oceanography, hosts about 28,000 students and boasts modern facilities compared to WSU.

Discussions centered on academic readiness, student housing amid rising demand, NSFAS funding disbursements, and campus safety protocols. Management presented data on strengthened teaching staff recruitment and digital learning platforms. Yet, underlying pressures persist: NMU, like peers, faces national capacity walls, with applications surging post-2025 matric results.

The visit underscored NMU's relative stability but highlighted needs for scaled accommodation and mental health support, critical for 2026's projected enrolments.

The Eastern Cape's Broader Higher Education Ecosystem

Beyond WSU and NMU, the Eastern Cape hosts University of Fort Hare (UFH), a historic institution with past governance probes, and multiple TVET colleges like Eastcape Midlands. The committee also eyed the latter's Graaff-Reinet campus, evaluating vocational readiness amid youth unemployment rates topping 70% provincially.

PSET integration—linking universities with TVETs—is key to addressing skills mismatches. Eastern Cape's 2025 matric pass rate dipped slightly to 79.5%, signaling language barriers and resource strains, per experts. Government bursaries, like the Eastern Cape Department of Education programme closing February 6, 2026, offer hope but fall short of demand.

Stakeholders, including SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities), stress partnerships for work-integrated learning to boost graduate employability.

National Capacity Crisis Impacting 2026 Enrolments

The Eastern Cape visits reflect a nationwide bottleneck: public universities at full capacity, unable to absorb all 2025 matriculants meeting admission benchmarks. Minister Buti Manamela's September 2025 readiness briefing outlined expansions via new infrastructure and private partnerships, yet implementation lags.

Similar oversights in Limpopo deemed University of Venda ready, contrasting Eastern Cape urgencies.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Student Voices

Students at WSU voiced frustrations over exclusions, with SRC president noting security lapses and funding delays as 'impediments to readiness.' Management countered with progress reports, but tensions highlight the need for transparent communication.

Academics advocate for policy reforms, including flexible funding models. For aspiring lecturers eyeing Eastern Cape roles, platforms like lecturer jobs on AcademicJobs.com provide essential listings amid these transitions.

Industry partners emphasize curriculum alignment with green economy needs, vital for Eastern Cape's agro-processing sector.

Solutions and Future Outlook for Eastern Cape Higher Education

Optimism persists through actionable steps: DHET-mandated infrastructure audits, NSFAS digital upgrades for faster aid, and public-private partnerships for housing. The committee's forthcoming report could catalyze R1 billion+ investments.

By 2030, WSU's strategic plan envisions tech-driven growth. For students, alternatives include TVET pathways and online programmes. Job seekers in higher ed can leverage higher ed career advice and faculty jobs to navigate opportunities.

Implications for Students, Faculty, and the Job Market

Prospective students face tough choices; tools like Rate My Professor aid institution selection. Faculty recruitment may surge with expansions, opening professor jobs and university jobs.

The oversight reinforces AcademicJobs.com's role in connecting talent. With 2026 looming, enhanced readiness promises better outcomes for South Africa's youth.

• Monitor DHET responses for enrolment updates.
• Explore bursaries and TVET for alternatives.
• Build resumes with free resume templates.