Nzimande set to address students at MUT
There are still many empty seats in the Dr Pixley Seme Hall at the Mangosuthu University of Technology where Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, is expected to address a Sasco conference.
Proceedings were meant get underway two hours ago.
So far there is no clarity on why the event has not gotten underway at the time that media was advised it would.
However, the delay has given a chance for students who are late to arrive.
A few minibuses have started dropping off students who are in their yellow Sasco shirts.
Amongst issues, Minister Nzimande is expected to address the Higher Education amendment Act, transformation in higher education and amendments to the NSFAS qualification criteria.
Sasco president Thabo Moloja says they want the minister to speak about what they feel is the sidelining of TVET colleges by his department.
"Government has a standing position that these colleges are 80% funded by government, relatively meaning that students in this space must be able to get access with ease.
"Unfortunately, over time we have seen how the inability of managers, the finance department in these colleges to ensure that this support given by government is well administrated.
"Instead they pay salaries, contractors with it - which is unfornate and is a disadvantage to students," he said.
