Members of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the Central Region of Gauteng are ready to go on strike over the 0,5% disparity on pay progression and all outstanding issues that have been ignored by the DBE.
This came out of a regional mass meeting addressed by SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke at Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting was also attended and addressed by COSATU President S’dumo Dlamini and Deputy General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali.
Both Maluleke and Dlamini appealed for unity in SADTU and COSATU. They appealed to members to defend these organizations from inside and outside forces at all material times. They warned against lies and half truths that were being spread about COSATU. “There is an open agenda to dislodge COSATU,” Dlamini said.
“We are calling for the unity of SADTU. When SADTU is united, COSATU will be united,” Maluleke said.
He said people were being fed with the lies that the ANC had not made changes to their lives since it took over.
“SADTU says don’t allow lies and demagoguery rhetoric to influence you,” Maluleke said.
On the issue of 0,5% parity, Mugwena said even though the amount was small, the main issue was about narrowing the gap in salary notches. The matter has been dragging for five years and the Department has not shown a sense of urgency in resolving it. Teachers were the only ones receiving a 1% pay progression while other public servants receive 1,5%. The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) has called the parties to a facilitation process to try and resolve the 0,5% parity. Over and above the 0,5% parity there were outstanding issues such as the basic salary structure for teachers to be at R15 000; the conditions for Early Childhood Development and ABET practitioners.
Maluleke urged members to start preparing themselves for the 2015 salary negotiations which begin in July and encouraged them to continue discussing whether they wanted a single term or multi-term agreement in salary negotiations.
He announced that ballots for the strike over 0,5% parity would soon be sent out for the members to fill.
However, before closing the meeting, the Deputy Regional Secretary Moses Maluleke indicated that the region was ready for a strike.
Sdumo Dlamini reminded members of the resolution by the Federation that come elections time, COSATU should campaign for the ANC.
On the issue of a call for a special congress by some of the affiliates of COSATU, Dlamini appealed to the meeting to first read the report of the Federation’s NOB’s before making their decision.
He asked the members to work out the purpose of holding such a congress and what they wanted out of it. “Must we go there and say members must see us; we are divided?” he asked.
The National Executive Committee of SADTU will on Thursday and Friday (6 & 7 March) visit the Free State’s Maluti region as part of celebrating International Women’s Day. The NEC will address branch mass meetings similar to the Orlando meeting. Members of the Alliance are expected to provide messages of support in these meetings.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.