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Impact of Homeland Universities on South African Higher Education: A Census Analysis
Higher education institutions play a critical role in human resource development in South Africa. A census-based analysis of university access and degree attainment across provinces suggests that former homeland universities significantly influenced educational progression, particularly in provinces where these institutions were established under apartheid.
A Historical Inflection Point in Higher Education Access
Census trends reveal that in provinces that hosted homeland universities, the decline in degree attainment was halted 40 years ago, while in other provinces, the decline resumed after five years. This trend suggests that these universities played a role in reversing what could have been a continued deterioration in higher education access.
Provinces with former homelands, such as the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Free State, and North West, showed sustained improvements in degree attainment, whereas provinces like Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Northern Cape experienced a resumption of decline.
Degree Attainment Trends by Province
Census data shows a positive trend in degree attainment among younger populations in provinces with homeland universities:
- Eastern Cape: 9.5% (ages 40–44) → 10.2% (ages 25–29)
- Limpopo: 6.8% → 8.2%
- Free State: 5.6% → 7.2%
- North West: 4.2% → 5.9%
In contrast, provinces without a strong presence of homeland universities showed a continued decline:
- Western Cape: 13.8% → 13.7%
- Gauteng: 10.7% → 10.1%
- KwaZulu-Natal: 8.9% → 7.4%
- Northern Cape: 5.3% → 5.1%
- Mpumalanga (with a later-established university): 4.2% → 4.4%
Lessons for Expanding Higher Education Access
The data suggests that former homeland universities played a role in expanding access to higher education, particularly for historically marginalized populations. This raises key questions for future investment in tertiary education:
- How much growth in post-matric education should be anticipated?
- What resources should be allocated to support equitable access to universities?
- How should digital and remote learning be integrated into education expansion strategies?
The Future of Regional Higher Education Policy
Dr. Pali Lehohla, former Statistician-General of South Africa, argues that historical trends in regional higher education access should inform future policy. A regional approach could help design more inclusive university systems, ensuring that higher education contributes meaningfully to skills development, employment, and economic growth.
As South Africa continues to develop its higher education sector, lessons from the past—including the role of homeland universities—can serve as a blueprint for addressing current and future challenges in access to tertiary education.
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