A dispute has emerged between the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Universities South Africa (USAf) regarding the employment of foreign academics at public universities. Tebogo Letsie, the chairperson of the committee, has described recent remarks from USAf as unfortunate and out of touch with reality
.
Concerns Over Local Talent and Oversight
Letsie stated that the committee has been confronted with growing concerns regarding the appointment of foreign nationals. He confirmed that he wrote to the Minister of Higher Education to request information about foreign nationals employed at public universities in response to issues raised during oversight visits.
The chairperson emphasized that public universities are funded by the people of South Africa and must advance their interests. He argued that these institutions cannot stand apart from the laws of the republic or the realities facing millions of unemployed graduates.
USAf Defends Internationalisation
Dr. Phethiwe Matutu, CEO of USAf, countered these concerns, calling the idea that foreign academics displace local talent a baseless misconception
. She noted that the 14% figure is far below the international norm, where leading systems often exceed 20% to 30% according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Matutu asserted that internationalisation is practiced responsibly with necessary guardrails. She stated that appointments are not made at will but are justified, scrutinised and aligned with national policy
.
According to Matutu, the presence of foreign staff is transformative and complements local expertise while enhancing the global competitiveness of South Africa. She urged policymakers to engage with the issue based on evidence rather than fear.
Common Ground and Future Outlook
Despite the friction, Letsie clarified that the committee is not hostile toward foreign nationals. He acknowledged that foreign academics have made valuable contributions, particularly in critical skills areas such as health sciences, engineering, and science.
The only point of explicit agreement between the two parties is that fraud and improper appointments must be addressed. Letsie maintained that while internationalisation is understood, it can never be at the expense of South Africans
.
The situation may lead to further scrutiny of university appointment processes. The Portfolio Committee will continue to interrogate how national policy is applied to ensure local talent is prioritized without sacrificing academic quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of university staff are foreign nationals?
According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, foreign staff accounted for about 14% (6,685) of the total 47,078 staff at universities in 2024.
Why did the Portfolio Committee request information on foreign employees?
Chairperson Tebogo Letsie stated the request was a response to information and experiences brought forward by South Africans and issues that surfaced during oversight visits.
Does the Portfolio Committee oppose the internationalisation of universities?
No. Tebogo Letsie stated that members have never said they were against internationalisation, but asserted that it should not occur at the expense of South Africans.
Do you believe the pursuit of global academic competitiveness should take precedence over local employment priorities in public universities?
