A fresh coat of paint, last-minute cement jobs, microwaves and fridges delivered for show and students whispering of a carefully staged deception; the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education was not ready for what it witnessed in Nkandla.
The poor state infrastructure at post-education institutions such as technical vocational educational and training colleges due to a lack of basic maintenance continues to raise the ire of the members of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education. During its oversight visit to uMfolozi Colleges’ Nkandla campus in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the committee was left fuming at the neglect of the campus by those entrusted with looking after government property. The Nkandla campus is one of the nine campuses of the uMfolozi College.
Students told committee members that the picture being painted by management was a false representation of their living conditions, which were much worse than what was presented. When the committee pressed management, the college conceded that it may have rushed to approve the procurement of equipment in time for the committee visit.
The committee felt misled by the management of the college where in some parts of the residences it could be seen that the cement was done a few days prior to the committee visit. The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Tebogo Letsie in his opening remarks, had commended the Department of Higher Education for making education accessible even to the rural areas.
Mr Letsie had said “Government has spent millions of rand building a campus in rural areas like Nkandla; however, it is disappointing to find it in such a state of neglect, and this does not inspire confidence for an environment that is conducive for teaching and learning.” Mr Letsie continued by saying that it has been proven that students who reside in residences stand a better chance of completing their studies, away from the disturbances that come with being at home.
Mr Sihle Ngubane of uMkhonto Wesizwe Party criticised uMfolozi management for not have a student-focused approach at the college. “The fact that the college did these renovations because of the visit by the committee shows a lack of appreciation of its key stakeholders and it’s disrespectful as none of you would like your kids to come to such as place,” he added.
The campus manager, Mr Sthembiso Makhanya, endured the most anger from the committees for his ineffective upkeep of the college. Members of the committee said it was disappointed in him for not doing the job he is hired to do by ensuring the campus is maintained, such as ensuring the geysers are in good working order and students have hot water.
Mr Thamsanqa Nxumalo, the acting principal of uMfolozi College told the committee that textbooks at times were not supplied due to delays in payments. Mr Nxumalo also admitted to shortages in personal protective equipment due to the non-payment of service providers. Mr Nxumalo was reluctant to release gender-based violence statistics on advice he received from an agency called Higher Health, but he later provided the committee with these statistics.
The committee noted that the college did not have a policy on gender-based violence and where incidents of sexual assault occurred, the college did not know how to deal with it. Ms Karabo Khakhau from the Democratic Alliance said it was disappointing that the principal of a college did not have GBV statistics for the campus at his fingertips.
National Health and Allied Workers Union representative Mr Sizwe Nene confirmed that at some campuses, service providers have in the past blocked the college gates, denying entry to college staff and students and thus delay teaching and learning over non-payment. Stationery is not received on time and some students write exams without ever having received textbooks.
Mr Samukelo Mthembu, the Student Representative Council president, also complained about shortages of materials for practical sessions which severely hampers academic performance and learning outcomes.
In conclusion, Mr Letsie said it was unbelievable that the college went to such lengths to conceal its incompetence. “I don’t think they are fully aware that in this committee you can’t pull the wool over eyes. I always begin our meetings by putting a disclaimer that says members of this committee don’t ask questions which we don’t know the answer to.”
Jabulani Majozi
8 October 2025
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