\u201cThe entire education system in South Africa needs to be changed. We have to start with primary education, which is not good enough,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He highlighted that many children cannot read and write, which requires an urgent intervention in the primary education system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shifting the focus to universities, he noted that the latest unemployment statistics reveal a significant number of graduates are currently unemployed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPart of the reason these graduates are unemployed is because we do not produce the right skills at universities,\u201d Roodt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe humanities are a good example, which produces degrees like political science. I will not employ such a person, because I do not need those skills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHowever, there is a scarcity of drone technicians and pilots, geneticists, and people with artisan skills. There is a large shortage of this type of skill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said many private tertiary institutions offer high-quality education and produce the skills the market needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roodt suggested that many of South Africa\u2019s public universities should be converted into colleges that produce the skills the economy needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should also support the private sector tertiary education institutions because they are doing an excellent job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that many of South Africa\u2019s public universities are poorly run. He gave the example of Unisa, which has faced numerous challenges over the last few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He highlighted that although the private sector is doing a great job, there is always a place for the state in the tertiary education system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThings like philosophy belong in the real good universities, and they should be accommodated in these institutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHowever, we need to shift the emphasis in South Africa and start to produce the skills we really need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roodt added that everyone wants to attend university and obtain a degree. However, that is necessarily what the economy requires, as we have shortages of many other skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Debate about public universities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Dawie-Roodt-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a>Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRoodt shared his views during a Newzroom Africa debate<\/a> about South Africa\u2019s public universities and their role in society.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis debate followed a BusinessTech article quoting Roodt saying most public South African universities should be closed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHe further argued that the government should allocate more funds to private institutions which are producing valuable skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roodt argued that South Africa has far too many universities and that only approximately 10% of the population should attend university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa has nineteen public universities and seven universities of technology, totalling 26 state-owned institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roodt said many of these institutions are poorly run, with qualified audits or financials so messy that audits could not be finalised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The country also has 126 registered private tertiary education institutions, including universities. \u201cThe private universities are improving all the time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roodt highlighted that private universities face challenges, including high fees and a lack of campus life compared to traditional institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another problem is that private universities do not make significant research contributions, which is a crucial aspect of the academic field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, public universities also face challenges. \u201cOver the years, the quality of public universities deteriorated significantly,\u201d Roodt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSouth Africa still has brilliant universities, but as a whole, the quality of state-owned universities has gone backwards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Backlash from South African academics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Prof-Linda-du-Plessis-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a>Prof Linda du Plessis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSouth African academics, including Professor Linda du Plessis from NWU and Dr Phethiwe Matutu from Unisa, criticized Roodt\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRoodt\u2019s argument oversimplifies a complex educational and socio-political landscape,\u201d Du Plessis said in a press statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSouth Africa produces high-quality graduates across numerous fields, and his statements fail to acknowledge the strides made in research, teaching, learning, and community engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGiven a graduate employment rate below 10%, compared to a youth unemployment rate exceeding 40%, a degree remains a sound investment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to her, Roodt\u2019s focus is almost exclusively on the shortcomings of a handful of public universities, without acknowledging the many achievements in various disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They include globally recognised researchers and world-class programmes, high-quality research output, and contributions to public health, science, and national policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHis narrative is one-sided and overlooks the essential fields that underpin the country\u2019s functioning, such as law, accountancy, engineering, nursing, social work, and teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added that public universities are not merely educational institutions. \u201cThey are engines of social mobility, redress, and transformation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSuggesting that only 10% of the population should attend university disregards the national imperative to expand access to higher education, as set out in the National Development Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matutu shared Du Plessis views, saying Roodt\u2019s argument is disjointed and lacks understanding of South Africa\u2019s tertiary education system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said only 20% of students are served by private institutions, while the public sector serves the other 80%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matutu added that the insinuation that public sector higher education is worse than what the private sector offers is untrue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also argued that most public universities are well run and that only one did not receive an unqualified audit in the 2023 financial year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The last word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Dr-Phethiwe-Matutu-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a>Dr Phethiwe Matutu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nProfessor Linda du Plessis and Dr Phethiwe Matutu\u2019s critique of Roodt\u2019s view and suggestions should be seen in context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roodt clearly stated that South Africa has brilliant public universities performing important training and research functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He praised these universities and highlighted that they have an important function to play in South Africa\u2019s economy and society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, many public universities are struggling with numerous challenges and are producing graduates without the valuable skills the economy needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roodt\u2019s suggestion to utilise the resources allocated to these poorly performing universities to develop skills that the economy needs and will drive employment is not controversial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many educational experts and academics have made similar suggestions in the past, including Universities South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf South Africa\u2019s higher education sector proceeds with business as usual and maintains the current status quo, the system will deteriorate,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Stellenbosch Business School said that, as South Africa’s higher education grapples with poverty and unemployment, private and open-distance learning can increase access and skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, although Roodt\u2019s comments about repurposing poorly performing public universities hit a nerve, the general concept that tertiary education should change is widely held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Roodt shared his views during a Newzroom Africa debate<\/a> about South Africa\u2019s public universities and their role in society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This debate followed a BusinessTech article quoting Roodt saying most public South African universities should be closed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He further argued that the government should allocate more funds to private institutions which are producing valuable skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roodt argued that South Africa has far too many universities and that only approximately 10% of the population should attend university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Africa has nineteen public universities and seven universities of technology, totalling 26 state-owned institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roodt said many of these institutions are poorly run, with qualified audits or financials so messy that audits could not be finalised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The country also has 126 registered private tertiary education institutions, including universities. \u201cThe private universities are improving all the time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roodt highlighted that private universities face challenges, including high fees and a lack of campus life compared to traditional institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another problem is that private universities do not make significant research contributions, which is a crucial aspect of the academic field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, public universities also face challenges. \u201cOver the years, the quality of public universities deteriorated significantly,\u201d Roodt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSouth Africa still has brilliant universities, but as a whole, the quality of state-owned universities has gone backwards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n South African academics, including Professor Linda du Plessis from NWU and Dr Phethiwe Matutu from Unisa, criticized Roodt\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRoodt\u2019s argument oversimplifies a complex educational and socio-political landscape,\u201d Du Plessis said in a press statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSouth Africa produces high-quality graduates across numerous fields, and his statements fail to acknowledge the strides made in research, teaching, learning, and community engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGiven a graduate employment rate below 10%, compared to a youth unemployment rate exceeding 40%, a degree remains a sound investment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to her, Roodt\u2019s focus is almost exclusively on the shortcomings of a handful of public universities, without acknowledging the many achievements in various disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They include globally recognised researchers and world-class programmes, high-quality research output, and contributions to public health, science, and national policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHis narrative is one-sided and overlooks the essential fields that underpin the country\u2019s functioning, such as law, accountancy, engineering, nursing, social work, and teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She added that public universities are not merely educational institutions. \u201cThey are engines of social mobility, redress, and transformation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSuggesting that only 10% of the population should attend university disregards the national imperative to expand access to higher education, as set out in the National Development Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matutu shared Du Plessis views, saying Roodt\u2019s argument is disjointed and lacks understanding of South Africa\u2019s tertiary education system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said only 20% of students are served by private institutions, while the public sector serves the other 80%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matutu added that the insinuation that public sector higher education is worse than what the private sector offers is untrue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also argued that most public universities are well run and that only one did not receive an unqualified audit in the 2023 financial year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Linda du Plessis and Dr Phethiwe Matutu\u2019s critique of Roodt\u2019s view and suggestions should be seen in context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roodt clearly stated that South Africa has brilliant public universities performing important training and research functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He praised these universities and highlighted that they have an important function to play in South Africa\u2019s economy and society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, many public universities are struggling with numerous challenges and are producing graduates without the valuable skills the economy needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roodt\u2019s suggestion to utilise the resources allocated to these poorly performing universities to develop skills that the economy needs and will drive employment is not controversial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many educational experts and academics have made similar suggestions in the past, including Universities South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf South Africa\u2019s higher education sector proceeds with business as usual and maintains the current status quo, the system will deteriorate,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Stellenbosch Business School said that, as South Africa’s higher education grapples with poverty and unemployment, private and open-distance learning can increase access and skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, although Roodt\u2019s comments about repurposing poorly performing public universities hit a nerve, the general concept that tertiary education should change is widely held.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBacklash from South African academics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>The last word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>