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Education activist Hendrick Makaneta called on the fees commission to speed up its work and report as soon as possible to President Jacob Zuma.
Makaneta reiterated that free quality education for all is a necessary tool to reverse the after effects of apartheid colonialism for the benefit of an African child. The fees commission was established by President Jacob Zuma in 2016 to look at the feasibility of free higher education for the poor.

We are encouraged by the wisdom of leaders such as Kofi Annan who once said: “Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.”

Makaneta called on the state to do everything to ensure that when South Africa celebrates 25 years of democracy, education should be free for all students from poor households.

Makaneta acknowledged that he National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) had done a lot for students from poor backgrounds but added that in some cases it had left students with a huge debt. There are many students who could not complete their studies due to a wide range of reasons. Such students do not only face the prospects of unemployment but they are in serious debt owed to NSFAS. The state should find a way to assist such category of students who dropped out of higher education institutions together with those who were financially and academically excluded.

“They were excluded from the system and are subsequently unemployed. Where else will they find the money to pay NSFAS? The state should intervene” Makaneta added

The year 2020 should be declared the year of free quality education for all.

Issued by Education activist Hendrick Makaneta