Private ‘university’ stops operating in South Africa

 ·22 Jan 2025

Towerstone is no longer operating as a private higher education institution following a business decision.

In a government gazette signed by Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Towerstone’s registration as a private higher education institution was cancelled.

This follows Towerstone’s ceasing to provide higher education as contemplated in the Higher Education Act.

Speaking to BusinessTech, Towerstone said that the decision to cease operating as a higher education institution was made in alignment with its business strategy. 

The institute mainly focuses on leadership teachings, with a focus on theoretical, interpersonal and behavioural development of leaders in “support of organisational alignment and success.”

Towerstone’s aim is to equip delegates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to “inspire Brand Ambassadorship within their organisations.” 

It offered a Higher Certificate in Management Practice (NQF Level 5).

Nevertheless, the company will continue to offer a host of learning programmes and short, non-credit-bearing workshops for the development of leaders, including:

  • Negotiation Skills (two and a half days).
  • Emotional and Social Intelligence (two days).
  • Leadership Communication (five days).
  • Optimising Conflict (two days).
  • Leading with a Commercial Mindset (two days).
  • Leader as Coach (two to six days).

Despite no longer offering accredited qualifications, the company said that it still follows a customised approach to learning material, assessments and facilitation.

This ensures that its qualifications have an impact and are relevant.

According to its website, its clients have included Pick n Pay, PEP, ArcelorMittal, Shoprite, Entersekt and more.

Ups and downs of private varsities

The news of Towerstone no longer operating as a higher education institution comes amidst a range of issues facing private educators.

In March 2023, the Department of Higher Education slammed Educor for failing to provide the required audited financial results for 2021 and 2022.

This means that City Varsity (Pty) Ltd, Damelin (Pty) Ltd, Icesa City Campus (Pty) Ltd and Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd were all deregistered.

Nevertheless, the Department said that qualifications from the four Educor-owned colleges that were deregistered are still valid.

Educor was reregistered again in 2024, but reports show staff and students are still unsure about the institution’s future amid salaries being unpaid for months.

In a separate issue, the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) began a legal standoff with the Department over its multiple brand names.

IIE operates Varsity College, Vega, Rosebank College and IIEMSA (formerly Monash South Africa).

That said, the department’s interpretation of regulations has thrown the future of these institutions into uncertainty.

In September 2024, the department said that the IIE must eliminate all references to its various brand names across its campuses by 31 December 2024.

It argued that Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Institutions mean that an institution can operate under a trade name, not trade names.

The IIE strongly disagreed with this interpretation, stating that words in the singular can encompass the plural unless clearly stated otherwise.

Referencing the Interpretation Act, the IIE contends that words in the singular can encompass the plural unless clearly stated otherwise.

IIE thus approached the High Court in December to suspend the department’s decision.

As it stands, the businesses are still trading under their original names.

Despite the problems, JSE-listed Stadio and AdvTech on opening new higher education institutions in the country in Durbanville Cape Town and Sandton, Johannesburg, respectively.

AdvTech also hopes to get full University accreditation as only government-run higher education institutions can be called universities.

Moreover, Solidarity hopes to open a new Akademia campus in Pretoria.

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