Xolani Dube, Political Analyst from The Xubera Institute

In mid-December 2017, the former President of the country Jacob Zuma announced that at the beginning of 2018 free higher education will be provided to all new first year students from families earning less than R350 000 per year. Meanwhile, The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is unable to confirm funding for first-year university students, due to the scheme’s financial shortfalls for the 2021 academic year.Nzimande said that there were several reasons for the funding shortfall, among them the impact of Covid-19. He said they had to continue to pay NSFAS funded student allowances even when universities and colleges were closed.University students have been protesting over registration issues .  Yesterday we saw chaotic scenes erupt in the Johannesburg CBD when police fired rubber bullets at students who were protesting over fees and registration issues.The students at Wits promise that protests will continue.What does free higher education actually mean in South Africa? Is education too politicized in SA? Does NSFAS have the capacity to handle the task at hand? Does SA have enough money , if so how can it be properly channeled? Guest: Xolani Dube, Political Analyst from The Xubera Institute