Fees commission kicks off

The commission, also known as "the fees commission" is tasked to look into the feasibility of free higher education. 

This comes after countrywide protests by students in 2015 demanding free education.

The SA Union of Students (SAUS) was the first to make submissions during the public hearings on Wednesday.

SAUS President Avela Mjajubana said salaries of high paying officials need to be slashed to fund free higher education. 

Mjajubana argued that the current cost of studying is too high for an average parent to foot.

"The cost of studies is taking more than 50 percent of the salaries of parents, so it's not possible. We also take into consideration the other expenses like electricity, food at home, water, rentals and children, because they also - from a basic education side - would need some assistance in terms of going to school and maintenance of their needs," he said.