South Africa's universities face R9.3bn in unpaid student debt: 'This cannot continue'

702's Bongani Bingwa interviews Phethiwe Matutu, CEO of Universities South Africa.

Listen below:

South Africa’s universities are grappling with a staggering R9.3 billion in unpaid student debt, accumulated by hundreds of thousands of students since 2023.

This figure is expected to rise further.

The primary driver of this mounting debt is the financial inability of many students to pay their fees.

Matutu says the situation is challenging, but not a full-scale crisis yet.

However, she warns, “In the long term, this cannot continue.”

Matutu emphasises that South African universities remain financially sustainable for the next five years. 

"In the medium-term, one can say our universities are sustainable."

- Phethiwe Matutu, CEO – Universities South Africa

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