Mashatile lists progress since 1994, in Youth Day speech

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile has delivered his keynote address at the government's National Youth Day commemoration in Potchefstroom, North West, and took the opportunity to reflect on what he termed the major victories of the democratic dispensation.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

"At the Basic Education level, we have transformed the matric pass rate from 58% in 1994 to 87.3% in 2024," he said.

"Our basic education system has gradually transformed whilst redressing the legacy of the Bantu education system. While we are not yet where we wish to be, we are also far from the inequality and disregard inherited."

Mashatile said in higher education, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme had been a catalyst for widening access to higher education.

The scheme has grown from a modest budget of R33 million in 1991, serving 7240 students, to over R52 billion presently, and funding more than 1.1m students at universities and TVET colleges.