Move to close City Varsity, Damelin, ICESA ‘in interest of protecting students, upholding integrity of higher education’

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has issued a Notice of Intent to Cancel the registration of three private higher education institutions.

They are City Varsity, Damelin and ICESA City Campus.

In a statement, Manamela says this action follows a prolonged pattern of non-compliance with the Higher Education Act and the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions.

“The decision is therefore undertaken in the interest of protecting students and upholding the integrity of the sector.”

Dr Felicity Coughlan, Chief Academic Officer at Newbridge Graduate Institute, says it's an unfortunate situation, especially for learners.

"You may recall that something very similar happened just over 18 months ago when the minister also said he would be deregistering the whole of the Educore, which they then backed down on."

Coughlan says it's frustrating because the legal and financial requirements are rigorous but also simple.

"I can get why an institution may run a little late on some of them, but simply not complying is an indication that there are some serious and absolutely fundamental flaws and issues within the institutions."

Coughlan says it is sad that another 18 months have passed and that the situation has had to reach this point.

"You don't land up getting notice of deregistration unless you've defaulted more than once," she says.

The Department says Notice of Intent to Cancel is based on several issues including on-compliance with statutory reporting requirements (all three institutions failed to submit their 2024 Annual Reports), and lack of financial and operational sustainability. The minister says the institutions did not provide mandatory documentation to the Registrar, including audited annual financial statements, proof of financial guarantees/surety, and SARS tax compliance certification.

The Notice of Intent to Cancel will be published in the Government Gazette in line with Section 63(a) of the Higher Education Act.

The institutions will be given a lawful opportunity to make representations. The Department says it will implement academic and administrative measures to support affected students.

To listen to Dr Felicity Coughlan in conversation with CapeTalk's Africa Melane, click audio below.