Response to comments on Central Applications Office by NYDA Chairperson

22 January 2012

The Young Communist League of South Africa notes the disturbing, reckless and defeatist comments by the National Youth Development Agency Chairperson Andile Lungisa on centralising the higher education applications process going to be chaotic.

This reckless commenting does not even address the alternative, it seeks to derail youth development of which he is expected to defend and promote. The NYDA Chairperson must first understand the rationale of calling for a central applications office in the context of access, the rising applications and fees. As centralisation is not an end in itself as some in society would seek to critic for its sake.

The call for Central Applications Office is informed by the need to regulate access centrally and remove the limitations set on access by university administrators. This call goes a long way in reducing the challenges faced by working class youth to access higher education.

We cannot continue having different sets of requirements of access for higher education courses accredited by the same authority. We further cannot allow the market oriented fees that exclude the majority; making higher education the priviledge of the elite and only those working class youth who survive a skewed selection process.

We urge Mr Lungisa to reserve his personal views in future as this undermines the integrity of the agency that represents aspirations of millions of working class youth. The agency is not a personal fiefdom and when pronouncements are made by those in leadership, their views must be considerate of such, as the Central Applications Office is a relevant institution that will benefit the youth of mzantsi.

Issued by YCLSA HQ

Mangaliso Khonza
National Spokesperson
YCLSA [Ufasimba]
0836175546