Minister Blade Nzimande to brief media on Higher Education and Training on Coronavirus Covid-19 measures to be implemented, 26 Nov

23 Nov 2020

Minister Nzimande media briefing on the Department of Higher Education and Training on further measures to be implemented on Covid-19 within the Higher Education Sector

Members of the media are advised of the date and time change to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, media briefing on further measures to be implemented to save the 2020 academic year and preparations for the beginning of the 2021 academic year.

This change is necessitated by the need to allow further engagement between Minister Nzimande and the leadership of the South African Union of Students (SAUS), which will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 25th November 2020.

Minister Nzimande has committed at the beginning of the 2020 academic year and at the genesis of the COVID 19 epidemic that, at all material times, he will consult with all stakeholders within the sector to get feedback from them on key interventions that the Department pronounced before and on further interventions that the department will introduce to save the 2020 academic year and in preparation for the 2021 academic year.

These consultations will ultimately ensure that there is no stakeholder that will be left behind on developments within the sector, particularly on COVID-19 and the management of the sector.

SAUS which represents all Student Representative Councils (SRC’s) of all our universities forms part of these critical stakeholders whom the Minister has committed to always engage.

Following the engagement with SAUS, Minister Nzimande will then proceed with briefing the media and all South Africans on further measures to be implemented by Department of Higher Education and Training to save the remainder of the 2020 academic year in preparation for the beginning of the 2021 academic year.

The Minister will enlighten the public about following issues:

Covid-19 Health and Safety report by Higher Health and the University Branch;
End of the academic year 2020 for universities;
Beginning of the 2021 academic year;
Student allowance for the academic year 2020;
Report on the laptop procurement;
Implementation of the N+2 rule and the Appeals process;
Gender Based Violence and campus safety.

The virtual media briefing will take place as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2020
Time: 11h00-13h00
Venue: Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, Tshedimosetso House (GCIS), 1035 Francis
Baard Street, Hatfield

NB: There will be a live video Iink to the Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Parliament in Cape Town.

Media Participation: Journalists may view the briefing via live streaming on the SA Government Facebook page, Twitter and YouTube channels on the links below.