Those who can pay must pay: Nzimande

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has urged that those who can afford higher education fees to pay in order for government to help students from poor background.

Speaking at a briefing in Pretoria on Monday‚ Nzimande said the country’s economic conditions were weak and the tax burden had been rising in recent years.

This‚ he said‚ put pressure on the resources that Treasury has to fund higher education.

“This means that any funding government mobilises to support the pressing challenges in higher education‚ it would need to reprioritise from other government programmes‚” Nzimande said.

“We understand the legitimate student concerns about the affordability of university education. At the same time‚ we need to ensure that those who can afford to pay‚ must pay.”