Free education for all not possible: Nzimande
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says it's always been government policy to provide free quality higher education for the poor.
Nzimande presented the department's submissions at the Fees Commission earlier today in Centurion.
Nzimande says the current student protests show that government isn't implementing free education fast enough.
The Minister also accused protesters of taking the issue too far, by demanding free education for all.
Nzimande says government has, in fact, been providing free education.
"We have a highly unequal society. Those who can afford to pay, must pay. And those who are rich and wealthy must also pay. It's inappropriate for a society like ours to define decommodification in that manner. It must be the poor and those who cannot afford who must actually be assisted," he said.
The minister also says he personally feels that universities and the curriculum needs to be decolonized.