The South African Students Congress (SASCO) has learnt with sadness the news of the passing of Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize who served as the Minister of Higher Education and Training from the period of 2018 – 2019, and was currently serving as the Deputy Minister in the Presidency.
Professor Mkhize joined the Higher Education department as it’s political Principal arguably at one of the landmark period in the transformation of post schooling and training sector in our country. She was appointed minister of Higher Education just after the historic pronouncement of the roll out of fee Free Higher Education for poor students and students from working class backgrounds.
Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize managed the most difficult transition in assuring a fee free higher education. As an organisation we worked closely with her in ensuring that which had been pronounced by the then President Jacob Zuma was effectively implemented. We will remember a leader who stood firm on the side of the people against the Vice Chancellors and institutional managers who wanted to continue with their exclusionary measures during the student registration period of 2018. To the student movement she remained a leader whose actions were intentional towards realisation of a single coordinated higher education in the land.
SASCO sends it’s unfeigned condolences to her family and loved ones and the broader Mass democratic movement which she belonged to and served till the last day on this earth.
Hamba kahle maMkhize!
Issued by SASCO
Bamanye Matiwane
President
Buthanani Thobela
Secretary General
For Enquiries
Luvuyo Barnes
Media & Communication Liaison
079 393 7131
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