HIGHER EDUCATION TODAY - STUDENT LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA Guests: Sharnelle Cader, Student, University of South Africa; Daniel Silke, Independent Political Analyst; Thembalethu Mfebe, Student, University of Cape Town; and Colleen Knox, Student, University of Cape Town Host: Steven Roy Goodman Original Air Date: 9 September 2013 In this episode of Higher Education Today, Steven has a conversation with students of different spheres, one doing work remotely, one who went fresh out of high school straight into varsity, and one who worked, travelled and decided to come back to varsity. There was general consensus that higher education in South Africa is very expensive for students and their parents. South Africa has the largest percentage wise budget towards education in the world, but are students getting value for the money? The country has an increasing high school dropout rate due to kids in the foundation phase being pushed on to the next grade without being able to comprehend the work. At tertiary level, though, South Africa has a wide range of educational programmes and an education of high quality. Like everyone in university, students are seeking employment. Going to UCT can somewhat give you credibility if you’re a first time job seeker. Others can try to get vocational experience to improve CVs. With all that universities can offer, many recommend a gap year to those thinking about varsity. It may be taboo, but it does give future scholars time to think about what they really want to commit to in varsity. Since university is expensive, do your research for programmes. Even if there is someone out there who is willing to partially fund you, you might need to fund yourself. But concentrate on your studies while trying to not overextend yourself at work.