USAf's Urgent Webinar Signals Deepening Governance Concerns
In a pivotal move reflecting mounting pressures on South Africa's higher education landscape, Universities South Africa (USAf), the representative body for the country's 26 public universities, hosted a webinar on March 23, 2026, titled 'Institutional Governance: Confronting the Risks of Institutional Capture.' This event, organized by USAf's Leadership and Management Strategy Group (LMSG), brought together sector leaders to dissect emerging threats that could undermine the autonomy and integrity of public universities. Chaired by Professor Francis Petersen, USAf's chairperson, the discussion highlighted how external actors are increasingly seeking undue influence over university resources, decision-making, and leadership, often bypassing statutory governance frameworks.
The webinar came amid a series of high-profile incidents at institutions like the University of Fort Hare and Durban University of Technology (DUT), where leadership suspensions and council disputes have spotlighted systemic vulnerabilities. Professor Petersen emphasized that these are not isolated cases but symptoms of a broader 'shadow of institutional capture' threatening the sector's stability.
Defining Institutional Capture in the South African Context
Institutional capture refers to the process where governance structures in public universities are subverted by individuals or groups—often politically motivated stakeholders—for private or factional gain, rather than serving the public good. This phenomenon, distinct from state capture at the national level, manifests through blurred lines between oversight (council's role in policy, strategy, and accountability) and management (executive handling of daily operations).
Professor Thandwa Mthembu, former Vice-Chancellor at universities of technology, described it starkly: 'When the university is no longer what it is, or when the environment compels it to become something it is not, it has been hollowed out of its essence.' Similarly, Professor Jonathan Jansen characterized capture as 'the systematic undermining of a university’s core operations to facilitate looting.' These definitions underscore how capture erodes academic freedom, research integrity, and equitable access to education.
In South Africa, post-apartheid governance models established councils with significant powers, but inadequate induction for members has led to overreach, such as interfering in procurement or disciplinary processes. This is exacerbated by resource scarcity, with public universities facing a R50 billion funding shortfall annually, making tenders and appointments prime targets.
Key Risks Identified by USAf and Sector Leaders
USAf's analysis pinpoints several interconnected risks fueling tensions:
- Sustained attacks on executive leadership: Vice-chancellors face precautionary suspensions amid unverified allegations, paralyzing operations.
- Political interference: Parliamentary committees and politicians preempt internal processes, amplifying misinformation.
- Stakeholder pressure for resource control: Demands to influence budgets, tenders, and staffing undermine institutional authority.
- Coordinated misinformation: Social media campaigns distort facts, eroding public trust before due process concludes.
- Weak internal controls: Poor record-keeping and informal decision-making create exploitable gaps.
These risks are systemic, affecting multiple institutions and risking a domino effect on the entire sector.
Spotlight on University of Fort Hare: A Cautionary Tale
The University of Fort Hare (UFH), one of South Africa's historic institutions, exemplifies the crisis. In late March 2026, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu was placed on precautionary suspension over alleged irregularities in senior appointments. This triggered a council split, with factions clashing publicly and operations grinding to a halt.
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education decried 'collapsing governance' at UFH, citing failures in consultation and accountability. The incident follows years of turbulence, including violent student protests in 2025 over accommodation shortages. Buhlungu's suspension highlights how governance breakdowns delay academic calendars, deter donors, and fuel student unrest, with over 500 students boycotting classes in early 2026.
UFH's woes underscore the need for robust council architecture to prevent factionalism from derailing transformation efforts.
Beyond Fort Hare: Tensions at DUT, Mangosuthu, and Others
Durban University of Technology (DUT) has grappled with maladministration allegations, including wasteful expenditure and collusion, drawing scrutiny from unions like FEDUSA in 2025 that persisted into 2026. Mangosuthu University of Technology faces similar strains, with governance lapses amplifying capacity issues amid 345,000 applications for limited 2026 spots.
Other hotspots include the University of Cape Town (UCT), where donor exodus and legal battles over Gaza-related resolutions in early 2026 exposed council vulnerabilities. The College of Cape Town's leadership was summoned to Parliament over a governance crisis. These cases illustrate how capture risks span historic and technikon-merged institutions, threatening national research output and graduate pipelines.
NSFAS Turmoil Amplifies Campus Instability
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) crisis has intertwined with governance woes. In May 2026, Minister Buti Manamela placed NSFAS under administration for the third time due to governance failures, audit disclaimers, and operational breakdowns—delaying payments and sparking protests that halted lectures at multiple universities. USAf backed the move but warned of deeper reforms needed.
Over 500,000 eligible 2026 matriculants face exclusion due to capacity limits, with USAf rejecting 'collapse' narratives but acknowledging funding gaps. Protests at Unisa, University of Venda, and others underscore how financial aid delays exacerbate tensions, leading to violence and property damage estimated at R100 million sector-wide.
USAf's webinar report details how such externalities strain internal governance.
Perspectives from Experts and Stakeholders
Sector voices converge on urgency. Professor Petersen calls for 'collective vigilance,' embedding webinar insights into council training. Mthembu warns of universities losing essence, while Jansen highlights looting risks. Students, via bodies like SASCO, demand accountability amid protests; unions criticize political meddling.
Minister Manamela's interventions signal government recognition, but Parliament's aggressive oversight draws ire from USAf CEO Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh for being 'out of touch.' International observers note parallels with African trends of declining academic freedom.
| Stakeholder | View |
|---|---|
| USAf | Systemic risks require peer support, not isolation |
| Parliament | Governance collapsing; demand accountability |
| Students | Funding delays fuel unrest |
Profound Impacts on Students, Faculty, and the Economy
Governance instability disrupts academic calendars, with 2026 intakes delayed at affected campuses, leaving thousands in limbo. Faculty morale plummets amid leadership vacuums, research funding stalls (SA universities produce 1% of global papers despite potential), and graduate employability suffers.
Economically, higher ed drives 0.8% GDP growth; crises risk R200 billion in lost productivity over a decade. Public trust erodes, with Gallup polls showing 40% confidence drop since 2020. Vulnerable groups—black, rural students—bear brunt via exclusion.
Mail & Guardian analysis warns of factional pawns replacing public missions.
USAf's Roadmap: Practical Reforms and Guardrails
USAf proposes actionable strategies:
- Model policies for council induction, conflict of interest, procurement oversight.
- Peer learning forums for early warning responses.
- Strengthened documentation and timelines for decisions.
- Biannual Higher Education Conference (October 2026) to prioritize governance.
Emphasis on distinguishing governance from management, with balanced communication to counter misinformation. Partnerships with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) under new leadership offer hope.
Government Interventions and Policy Horizons
DHET's NSFAS administration and Stabilisation Teams (e.g., College of Cape Town) signal proactive steps. The 2026 White Paper review could embed anti-capture measures, like independent auditors for councils. USAf advocates evidence-based oversight over politically driven attacks.
Funding boosts via R17 billion university infrastructure plan aim to ease capacity, but governance must precede expansion to avoid repeating Fort Hare pitfalls.
Photo by Sibusiso Mbatha on Unsplash
Future Outlook: Building Resilient Campuses
With concerted reforms, South African universities can emerge stronger by 2030, aligning with National Development Plan goals for 1.6 million graduates. Success hinges on unity: councils upholding fiduciary duties, executives transparent, and stakeholders collaborative. USAf's follow-up webinars promise momentum.
Optimism tempers realism—untamed capture risks deeper crises, but vigilance offers renewal.
Insights for Leaders: Steps to Safeguard Your Institution
- Conduct annual governance audits with external peers.
- Train councils on boundaries via USAf resources.
- Develop crisis communication protocols.
- Engage students early in non-fee decisions.
- Link performance contracts to equity and vacancy targets.
Proactive governance ensures universities fulfill their transformative mandate amid South Africa's challenges.
