When two students from Unisa traveled to the European Union as part of a six-month EU-funded Erasmus+ course at the Romanian-American University in Bucharest, Romania, they expected purely academic exchange. However, their experience turned out to be truly transformative.
For Nokutula, a postgraduate law student, and Mpho, an undergraduate business student, this program opened up new social circles, perspectives, and doors, changing their view of studies and of themselves as future young leaders. Their story illustrates why students from South Africa and other parts of the continent, especially those who have not traveled much before, should consider participating in international mobility programs like Erasmus+.
Erasmus+ is widely known in Europe for promoting institutional cooperation and student mobility. For young Africans like Nokutula and Mpho, this program offers valuable opportunities. Academically, it introduces students to various pedagogical approaches, including case-based learning, classroom dialogue, and visual learning, deepening knowledge gained at home. This experience is particularly useful in internationally oriented fields such as business, law, and public policy, where comparative views and transnational networks enhance employment prospects and research potential.
Nokutula and Mpho reported participating in practical and inclusive activities, which helped them connect theory with practice differently than in their home institutions. Through the Erasmus+ program, they developed a drive to participate in global platforms, realizing that their knowledge, skills, and experience could make a significant contribution not only to their home country but to the world. The program opened their eyes to endless possibilities, showing that learning, collaboration, and creating positive change are not limited by borders.
Beyond academic benefits, mobility within Erasmus+ accelerates the development of intercultural competence. By living and studying in Romania, the students made friends with Romanians and other Erasmus+ participants from different regions, learned cultural practices firsthand, and practiced languages in authentic settings. These daily interactions shape soft skills such as adaptability, communication, and intercultural negotiation, which are highly valued by employers and global research partners. Upon returning home, students often become ambassadors, strengthening institutional ties and enriching campus life with new perspectives.
In addition to cultural advantages, Erasmus+ provides structural benefits, including credit recognition through the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and financial support that compensates for travel and living expenses. For many African students, access to reliable funding and clear credit transfer pathways makes a semester abroad achievable, not just desirable. Institutional cooperation projects under Erasmus+ also contribute to capacity building in African universities by supporting curriculum internationalization, staff exchange, and joint research that continues after individual trips.
However, realizing the promises of Erasmus+ is not automatic. There are several issues that reduce its reach and impact for students from African universities, especially those with little prior mobility experience. Firstly, there are significant gaps in information and readiness. Many students and even some university international offices lack full clarity regarding selection criteria, application processes, learning agreements, and credit recognition. Without targeted briefings before departure and academic counseling, students risk arriving unprepared for different classroom norms or returning with unrecognized credits. Although Nokutula and Mpho faced these difficulties, their successful integration testifies to strong support and continuous communication with the host university.
Even with support, its level varies between institutions and participants. Proactivity and good relations are required from both the host and sending university. Otherwise, students may encounter unpleasant situations that could discourage future participation. For example, the financial and administrative management of the grant, currency exchange, and payment timelines can significantly affect the student's experience and slow down the settling-in process in a foreign country. Lengthy visa procedures and bureaucratic delays can cause stress during trip preparation. For students from low-income backgrounds, even with subsidies, international mobility can seem unattainable without additional scholarships or institutional top-ups.
Although most host universities, especially in Europe, conduct programs in English, local languages and informal cultural codes can pose obstacles in daily student life. Students with limited foreign language skills may struggle with integration, affecting their academic and social engagement. Adequate language support before departure and mentorship programs are necessary but not always available. Furthermore, international mobility is often perceived as an opportunity primarily intended for academically outstanding and affluent students with travel experience. This perception can marginalize many capable students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as those who may face academic difficulties but possess strong social qualities.
For Erasmus+ and similar programs to become truly transformative for students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds with limited mobility experience, substantial practical and structural barriers hindering equitable participation and limiting long-term benefit must be addressed. Therefore, participating universities like Unisa must contribute significantly in this area. Priority should be given to the following aspects:
Firstly, easing access: making Erasmus+ and similar programs more visible, accessible, and administratively simple so that students venturing into the international sphere for the first time—many of whom balance work, family responsibilities, and financial constraints—view participation as a real possibility, not an unattainable dream. Secondly, sustaining the impact: integrating returning students into curriculum development, peer mentoring programs, and institutional partnerships so that what they learned abroad benefits the entire Unisa community.
This specifically means organizing robust pre-departure orientation sessions covering academic expectations, credit recognition, mental health resources, and practical logistics; providing supplementary funding or emergency allowances for students with proven financial need; and establishing clear learning agreements that align Unisa's curricula and credit systems with ECTS for seamless credit transfer. The university must urgently implement a credit transfer system guaranteeing that students participating in semester mobility programs receive appropriate credits and do not lose academic progress.
Moreover, Unisa's global status and identity as a major Open Distance Learning (ODeL) institution uniquely position it to reimagine student mobility programs. Thanks to its reach and ODeL model, Unisa can leverage digital tools and newly developed virtual mobility programs to create transformative opportunities reaching hundreds of thousands of learners scattered across the country and the continent. Even a modest, well-supported increase in outbound mobility, including short virtual exchanges, blended internships, and micro-internships, will have a huge impact on the entire student body.
Thus, to turn aspirations into concrete paths, practical bottlenecks must be resolved, including sustainable funding, pre-departure preparation, official recognition of learning, and equitable access for students, especially those without prior mobility experience. Once these core elements are addressed, virtual and blended mobility in higher education will become not just an add-on, but a reliable and credit-bearing option integrated into academic progression. Unisa, as an ODeL institution, offers a rare opportunity to scale inclusive internationalization with targeted investments and robust preparation and recognition systems, allowing the university to turn a small increase in mobility participation into large-scale, life-changing results for students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A new analysis shows that migration processes in South Africa are fundamentally changing the country's economy, creating new opportunities for the business sector. The study identified three simultaneous trends affecting the labor market, consumer demand, and investment decisions.
According to data from the analytical company Eighty20, South Africa is experiencing a combination of internal labor flows from regions, continued emigration of skilled professionals, and large-scale internal migration towards major economic centers. These changes affect all aspects of company operations—from staff retention to retail strategies and long-term planning.
These findings emerge against a backdrop of intense focus on migration issues following President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent address, in which he acknowledged shortcomings in immigration management, condemning xenophobia, vigilantism, and attempts by private groups to control foreigners. Simultaneously, the anti-immigration movement 'March' is increasing pressure through planned nationwide protests against undocumented migrants.
Eighty20 believes that the presented data offers a more balanced view of how migration shapes the economy. Andre Fulton, Director of Eighty20, noted: 'South Africa is being transformed by multiple migratory forces, each influencing business decisions.' He added that regardless of whether highly skilled professionals leave the country, regional workers arrive, or millions move toward opportunities on city outskirts, companies that correctly read these signals will be where the markets and talent are.
One of the main obstacles in studying migration is the lack of reliable official data. The Department of Home Affairs has not published immigration statistics since 2015, and emigration estimates compiled by Statistics South Africa are based on models rather than actual departure records. Despite difficulties in measuring illegal migration, as many foreigners avoid official surveys, the available data paints a clear picture of South Africa's changing population.
According to the 2022 census, there are 2.4 million immigrants residing in the country, while the Income and Expenditure Index estimate for 2022 and 2023 exceeds three million people, accounting for 5.1% of the population. Nearly two-thirds of immigrants originate from Commonwealth countries of South Africa. Zimbabwe accounts for almost half of the foreign population registered in the 2022 census, followed by Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, and the United Kingdom. Most immigrants are working-age men, concentrated in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Although immigration often dominates political discussions, Eighty20 argues that the outflow of skilled South Africans has even more serious economic consequences. Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), updated as of mid-2024, shows that just over one million South African citizens now live abroad, compared to less than 300,000 in 1990. The main destinations are Australia, the UK, the USA, New Zealand, and Germany.
The main problem is not so much the number of those leaving, but their qualifications. The study found that the highest-income taxpayers in the country contribute disproportionately to state revenue, meaning even a small loss of skilled professionals can have significant fiscal and economic consequences. In healthcare, for example, OECD data indicates that over 23,400 South African medical professionals work in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA, leaving numerous vacancies in the public sector unfilled.
The desire to emigrate is also common among higher-income households. A BrandMapp study found that about 27% of South Africans earning over R10,000 per month consider emigration likely or very likely, and this figure has remained virtually unchanged since 2021. At the same time, millions of South Africans are moving within the country in search of work and better opportunities.
Statistics South Africa estimates that 9.1 million people, roughly one in seven South Africans, now live in a province different from where they were born. This migration pattern consistently points towards the country's main economic hubs. Gauteng accounts for 38% of registered taxpayers and contributes 47% of income tax, despite housing only a quarter of the population. It is projected that the province will gain 1.4 million net new migrants between 2021 and 2026, while the Western Cape expects to attract nearly half a million. An additional study by Wise Move, analyzing nearly 6,000 interprovincial household moves, showed that while movements from the Western Cape to Gauteng sharply increased, the Western Cape remained the strongest net recipient of migrants in 2025, and Cape Town continued to attract residents seeking lifestyle advantages.
Urbanization is accelerating: South Africa's urban population grew from approximately 34.3 million in 2013 to 40.2 million in 2023. Much of this growth is occurring not in city centers, but on the peripheries of megacities, including informal settlements, backyards settlements, and suburban communities.
Eighty20 believes that these demographic shifts have three key implications for businesses. Firstly, it is competition for skilled workers, requiring employers to strengthen retention strategies, conduct international salary comparisons, and invest more heavily in graduate development. Secondly, it is the emergence of new consumer markets. As population growth concentrates in suburban areas, retailers and service providers need to revise expansion strategies to serve these rapidly growing zones. The head of marketing at one of South Africa's fastest-growing clothing retailers emphasized: 'The biggest opportunities for retail growth lie in township and suburban markets, where proximity, value, and relevance are most important. This allows us to engage with a larger number of customers, support local economic ecosystems, and become a trusted part of the communities we serve.'
Finally, Eighty20 warned that xenophobic violence creates growing operational and reputational risks for businesses, including supply chain disruptions, damage to employer brand, and reduced investor confidence. The company also noted that much of the political tension surrounding migration reflects deeper domestic issues, such as unemployment, housing shortages, and poor quality of service delivery, rather than migration itself.
South Africa's qualification system has long served as a vital tool for socio-economic transformation since the beginning of democracy. For millions of South Africans, these qualifications opened previously closed opportunities, providing access to employment, further education, career growth, and economic participation. They have contributed to industrial development, the strengthening of public institutions, and the creation of prospects for individuals, families, and communities.
Consequently, discussions regarding the phased phasing out of outdated qualifications have naturally caused concern, uncertainty, and anxiety among students, graduates, training providers, and employers. When people hear the term 'phased withdrawal,' the initial fear is that something valuable will be lost.
It is crucial to state and unequivocally emphasize that already issued qualifications remain valid and recognized. A qualification obtained through hard work, sacrifice, and dedication does not lose its value simply because a new qualification has been introduced. It remains recorded in the National Learner Database and continues to be part of that person's educational and career path. This principle is strongly supported by the government, SAQA, and all partners.
This conversation is not about diminishing the value of the past, but about guaranteeing value for the future. The world of work is changing at unprecedented rates. Technology is transforming industries, and artificial intelligence (AI) is altering the nature of jobs. New professions are emerging while others disappear. Employers increasingly demand not only theoretical knowledge from employees but also practical competence and work experience.
Many qualifications developed before 2009 were created for a completely different economic environment. While they served an important function and significantly contributed to workforce development, many were heavily focused on classroom instruction and did not always provide sufficient opportunities for structured on-the-job learning.
Therefore, South Africa is moving towards professional qualifications. These qualifications are developed in close collaboration with industry and employers. They integrate knowledge, practical skills, and work experience. Their goal is to ensure that upon completion of studies, a student not only possesses a paper qualification but is also better prepared for workplace realities.
This is not merely an administrative procedure; it is a fundamental reform aimed at strengthening the link between education, skills development, and employment. In a context where youth unemployment remains one of South Africa's most serious problems, the country cannot afford a qualification system that operates independently of labor market realities. Qualifications must respond to the needs of industry, the economy, and society.
For many young people, obtaining a qualification represents hope—years of study, financial sacrifices, and personal determination. However, hope is not enough. Qualifications must also enhance employability and create pathways to meaningful economic participation. This is why modernizing qualifications is important.
Nevertheless, the transition must be managed responsibly. SAQA recognizes that behind every qualification code lies a human story—the story of a student striving for a better future, a parent investing in their child's education, an employee achieving promotion, or a training provider supporting learners and communities. These realities demand an orderly, fair, and transparent transition.
The recent statement by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Mnamalela, reflects the government's commitment to achieving precisely this. Instead of adopting a universal approach, qualifications were assessed individually, and transitional mechanisms were introduced where necessary to protect learners and minimize disruptions. This demonstrates a balanced approach that acknowledges both the urgency of reforms and the need for stability.
Furthermore, this process highlighted the importance of collaboration. The progress achieved was made possible by the collective efforts of SAQA, the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), colleges, training providers, employers, and industry stakeholders. A transformation of this magnitude cannot be achieved by any single organization alone; it requires a shared commitment to building a qualification system that serves both learners and the economy.
SAQA views this moment as an opportunity to strengthen public trust in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Their responsibility extends beyond merely registering qualifications; they are the custodians of a system designed to ensure quality, credibility, transparency, and lifelong learning opportunities for all South Africans. The shift from outdated to professional qualifications is part of a broader vision: creating a future-oriented, internationally comparable, and responsive system that meets changing economic conditions. This ensures employer confidence in qualifications, equips learners with relevant skills, develops South Africa's human potential for competition in a complex global economy, and, most importantly, guarantees that no learner is left behind.
