As the matric class of 2024 approaches the pivotal decision of their academic future, an education expert from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) suggests they broaden their horizons beyond traditional university pathways.
Professor Suriamurthee Maistry has highlighted the growing need for skilled artisans in South Africa and the vital role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges and university of technologies in providing necessary qualifications.
The higher education system in our country is facing a capacity crisis, with less than 10 000 first-year places available at several universities.
Maistry, of UKZN's School of Education, said while the country’s universities cannot accommodate all students with bachelor passes, there were other higher education institutions like Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges and artisanal courses to obtain qualifications.
“South Africa has a high unemployment rate and that includes people with university degrees. Artificial intelligence is also presenting as a challenge for the future. We have a huge shortage of trade artisans. While artisanal trades are generally perceived as less prestigious than university degrees, TVET's in South Africa together with universities of technology, offers a range of programmes with ready prospects for employment. We need more people with skills as bricklayers, plumbers and electricians. They can start their own small business,” said Maistry.
He said there needed to be a change in mindset and people needed to consider what would give them a sustainable livelihood.
Maistry said there is a need for schools and the communities in which young people are located to become more actively involved in the post-school lives of school leavers.
“The roles of school governing bodies should extend beyond their current parameters and assume some responsibility for helping young people transition to successful lives after schooling,” said Maistry.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal received over 290 600 individual applications for approximately 8 600 first-year places available in 2025.
Normah Zondo, executive director of corporate relations said the most popular courses applied for were the Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Nursing, and Bachelor of Social Sciences.
Zondo added that the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science’s (CAES) most popular stream remained Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIT).
“Other popular courses in the sciences is Data Science and Geographic Information Systems. The Bachelor of Sciences (Mathematical Sciences) courses have seen a significant surge in interest, especially in the areas of Computer Science and Data Science,” said Zondo.
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has space for only 9454, yet received 147 076 applications.
The Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase & Further Education and Training Teaching: Languages, Diploma in Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Journalism, Diploma in Tourism Management, Diploma Management Sciences: Business Law, Diploma Shipping & Logistics, Diploma in Drama, Bachelor of Health Science: Diagnostic Radiography and Diploma Management Sciences: Human Resources ranked among the popular choices by prospective DUT students.
A new course being offered by DUT is the Diploma in Ecotourism.
Zama Sishi, acting senior director: Department of Marketing and Communications at the Mangosuthu University of Technology said they received 103 483 applications for the 3223 places allotted for the 2025 academic year.
“Out of the 103 483 applicants, most chose the Diploma in Information Technology: Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP),” said Sishi.
The University of Zululand received 166 489 applications for academic programmes offered in both its KwaDlangezwa and Richards Bay campuses on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.
Siyanda Mntambo, University of Zululand's communications and marketing director said their quota for those entering their first year of study was 4762, with the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering getting 1804, the majority of learners.
The most popular courses applied for by prospective students included Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching, Bachelor of Nursing Science, Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching: Languages and Humanities, Diploma in Logistics Management, Bachelor of Law and Diploma in Public Relations Management.
The Western Cape's Stellenbosch University (SU) received 90 027 applications for first year study in 2025.
Only 6005 will be able to take up undergraduate academic programmes.
The faculties that received the highest number of applications were Medicine and Health Sciences who obtained 55 345 while 35 219 applicants chose Economic and Management Sciences and 34 124 went for Arts and Social Sciences.
The new programmes in Data Science were becoming popular among applicants at Stellenbosch.
Peter Kriel, general manager at The Independent Institute of Education said the class of 2024 needs to pause and consider the way forward.
"Even if your results don’t impact your initial plans, it is still advisable to make sure you know you are on the right path. If you applied to study and you now no longer qualify to follow this route, you have to act quickly to plan how you will get to where you planned to be in the first place.
“Remember, all doors are not closed – you may just need to follow a different route. One really good option is to enrol for a Higher Certificate at a reputable registered and accredited higher education institution. The advantage of doing this is that once you have successfully completed the Higher Certificate, you will be able to continue with degree studies in your chosen discipline,” said Kriel.
Kriel added that it was important to keep in mind that both successes and failures were part of the learning process.