On 14 January 2016, President Jacob Zuma established a Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training in order to add into the body of knowledge and evidence that will inform government’s decision making process in pursuit of a sustainable solution to the on-going higher education funding matter.

The Commission was chaired by Honourable Justice Jonathan Arthur Heher, assisted by Adv Gregory Ally and Ms Leah Khumalo.
The terms of reference of the Commission was to enquire into, make findings, report on and make recommendations on the following:

• The feasibility of making higher education and training (higher education) fee-free in South Africa, having regard to:
• The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, all relevant higher and basic education legislation, all findings and recommendations of the various presidential and ministerial task teams as well as all relevant educational policies, reports and guidelines;
• The multiple facets of financial sustainability, analysing and assessing the role of government together with its agencies, students, institutions, business sector and employers in funding higher education and training; and
• The institutional independence and autonomy which should occur visà- vis the financial funding model.