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Media release
25 April 2008 South Africa's university graduation rate of 15% is one of the lowest in the world. A Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) study, led by Moeketsi Letseka, shows that higher education also reflects broader inequalities, with the graduation rate for white students more than double that of black students. Black students are generally under-represented at universities, a demographic reality that promises to reproduce racial inequalities well into the future. This study, conducted among seven South African universities, has lead to the first three HSRC Policy Briefs, or policy recommendations. The launch of the policy briefs took place on 25 April in Johannesburg. The first series of policy briefs aims to provide in a concise and digestible format, policy relevant research information which has been refined through a consultative process of policy dialogues. The HSRC's Policy Analysis Unit will produce 12 policy briefs per year, linked to government's policy priorities (various clusters). The policy brief on High university drop-out rates: a threat to South Africa's future recommends broader steps to tackle poverty and inequality to address these disparities in higher education. The authors also recommend a voucher system to support lower-income students. The second policy brief, Age of hope or anxiety? Dynamics of the fear of crime in South Africa says the fear of crime has the effect of reducing the sense of trust and cohesion within communities. It limits people's mobility and hastens retreat from public spaces. An HSRC survey, conducted by Benjamin Roberts, shows that the scope of fear extends beyond a specific minority of the population and that urban dwellers, living in informal settlements, are the most concerned about crime. The brief recommends that reducing the fear of crime should be recognised as a priority alongside that of reducing crime itself. In the third policy brief, titled No sign of a dependency culture in South Africa says in recent years a worrying notion has begun to infiltrate public opinion on social security in South Africa, particularly with regard to the future of social grants. This notion suggests that social grants foster dependency en discourage people to work. But a study by the HSRC, based on a survey, has shown that there is no evidence of a dependency culture. In fact, both unemployed South Africans and the recipients of social grants have a positive attitude towards work. The study, conducted by Michale Noble and Phakama Ntshongwana, recommends a general support for extending the social security system to support the unemployed. Download all three policy briefs, or order a hard copy from info@hsrc.ac.za.
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