The Madlanga Commission, also known as the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training, was established in 2016 by the South African government to investigate the feasibility of free higher education in the country. The commission was chaired by Judge Jonathan Arthur Heher and included two other commissioners, Advocate Gregory Ally and Leah Thabisile Khumalo. The commission was tasked with gathering information and making recommendations on the funding of higher education in South Africa. In this article, we will take a closer look at the dates, people, and locations involved in this important commission.
Dates:
The Madlanga Commission was established on 14 January 2016 and was given a period of eight months to complete its work. The commission held its first public hearings on 9 August 2016 and concluded its work on 30 November 2016. During this time, the commission received submissions from various stakeholders, including students, universities, government officials, and experts in the field of higher education.
People:
The Madlanga Commission was chaired by Judge Jonathan Arthur Heher, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Judge Heher has extensive experience in the legal field and has served as a judge for over 20 years. He was joined by two other commissioners, Advocate Gregory Ally and Leah Thabisile Khumalo. Advocate Ally is a practicing advocate with a background in labor law, while Ms. Khumalo is a former deputy vice-chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
The commission also had a team of researchers and support staff who assisted in gathering information and preparing reports. The team was led by Professor Cheryl de la Rey, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria. The commission also had a secretariat, headed by Advocate Thabani Masuku, who was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the commission.
Locations:
The Madlanga Commission held public hearings in various locations across South Africa, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth. These hearings were open to the public and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to present their views and recommendations to the commission. The commission also visited several universities and met with various student organizations to gather first-hand information on the challenges facing higher education in the country.
The commission also conducted research and consulted with experts in the field of higher education. This included visits to universities in other countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, to gain insights into their higher education systems and funding models.
Outcomes:
After eight months of extensive research and consultations, the Madlanga Commission presented its final report to President Jacob Zuma on 30 November 2016. The report contained a comprehensive analysis of the current state of higher education in South Africa and made recommendations on the funding of higher education.
The commission recommended that the government should consider implementing a cost-sharing model for funding higher education, where the state would cover the cost of tuition for students from poor and working-class families, while students from middle and upper-income families would contribute towards their tuition fees. The commission also recommended that the government should increase its funding for higher education and explore alternative sources of funding, such as a graduate tax.
The Madlanga Commission’s report sparked a national debate on the feasibility of free higher education in South Africa and the role of the government in funding higher education. The report was also welcomed by various stakeholders, including student organizations, universities, and government officials, who saw it as a step towards finding a sustainable solution to the funding crisis in higher education.
In conclusion, the Madlanga Commission played a crucial role in shedding light on the challenges facing higher education in South Africa and providing recommendations for a sustainable funding model. The commission’s work was a collaborative effort involving various individuals, institutions, and locations, and its outcomes have had a significant impact on the higher education landscape in the country. It is now up to the government to consider the recommendations of the commission and take the necessary steps towards ensuring accessible and quality higher education for all in South Africa.
