Fees gamble can backfire

Experts believe that offering free education could be a short-term ruse by the ruling party to gain support in an uncertain political climate ahead of the 2019 national elections and it could backfire on the ANC.

Offering free education could only be a short term gain for the ANC ahead of the 2019 National Elections, as the ruling party sees itself under pressure from all sides, students included.

According to political analysts, this may be the plan the ANC would want to push in order to garner votes following its dismal performance in last year’s local government elections – but it would only see South Africa suffer economically.

Yesterday reports indicated President Jacob Zuma intended announcing a R40 billion free education proposal last week, but had been blocked by National Treasury which warned that the plan would shove South Africa into an economic crisis.

The Presidency has since denied this, charging that the story in The Sunday Times was a “fabrication”.

“The President never planned to make such an announcement. The thrust of Sona2017 was radical economic transformation flowing from the ANC’s January 8 statement and the Cabinet and governing party makgotla,” it said.

“The President had appointed a commission of inquiry into higher education funding headed by Judge John Heher. The President waited for the Commission to conclude its business. At no stage did he plan to make any announcements that would undermine the work of the Commission.

“The President has tasked the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Higher Education Funding headed by Minister Jeff Radebe and the Presidential Fiscal Committee to process the Heher Commission report and advise him on how to respond to the content. Any action will result from careful consideration by relevant structures in government.”

But analyst Ralph Mathekga said Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba was last week asked about free education, to which he responded that there had been a conversation around it and he “didn’t want to pre-empt any outcome”.

“So this might very well be the plan the people in the ANC will want to push. Treasury also indicated there was a conversation about this. But, of course, from the president there will be denial, denial, denial,” Mathekga said.

“There is a deeper conversation here. And the strength of this report is collaborated by Treasury, and shows they will probably go ahead with it.”

“The timing of it might also be with an intention to gain political mileage.”

Analyst Daniel Silke said we can expect further ratings downgrades as government is going beyond its means. –

But, of course, from the president there will be denial, denial, denial.