The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has introduced a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament, aimed at addressing one of the most pressing issues facing South African youth: the escalating burden of student debt. With the total student debt having risen from R11 billion in 2017 to R17 billion in 2024, the EFF’s Bill seeks to alleviate the financial strain that has increasingly hindered young people’s access to education and future employment opportunities. The average yearly increase of R2 billion in student debt has become a significant concern, with the EFF arguing that this financial weight restricts the aspirations and financial independence of the country’s youth.
Leigh-Ann Mathys, the EFF spokesperson, highlighted the urgency of the matter, pointing to the decade-long struggle that has seen young people across the country protesting for more affordable education. “This year marks 10 years since the students and youth of South Africa took it to the streets and brought the institutions of higher learning to a standstill, making a genuine call for ‘Fees Must Fall’ so that education may not be a privilege enjoyed only by the elite white minority in South Africa, to the exclusion of the black poor and working-class majority,” Mathys said.
The EFF has long been a vocal advocate for the decommodification of education, calling for free, accessible, and decolonised education for all South Africans, particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. According to the party, the current system of student debt is a symptom of broader neo-liberal policies that have worsened inequality in the country.
The Bill proposes the cancellation of all existing student debt, a move that the EFF believes is necessary to break the cycle of financial hardship that so many South African youth face. In addition, the Bill calls for the establishment of a qualifications registrar, which would manage the distribution of degrees and certificates. The aim is to ensure that no student, regardless of their debt status, is denied access to their qualifications and is therefore able to participate fully in the workforce.
Mathys stressed that withholding students’ qualifications due to unpaid fees is not just unjust, but counterproductive. “It is the degree and the certificate which must empower students to seek employment, therefore, to withhold it is not only counterproductive but also enslaves them in a permanent cycle of debt, economic inactivity, and poverty,” she explained. The EFF sees this practice as a major barrier to economic mobility for young people and a contributing factor to the country’s persistent unemployment rates.
As the new academic year begins, many students across the country remain unable to register for classes or complete their studies due to outstanding fees, a situation that starkly contradicts the promise of free education made by the government. The EFF has been outspoken in its criticism of the government’s failure to fully implement this promise, which has left many students in a state of financial distress. According to Mathys, “We must refuse to allow education to be a cause of debt and a financial burden to the youth of South Africa.” The EFF’s Bill seeks to correct this imbalance by clearing the debts that have left many students in limbo and unable to access the education and qualifications they deserve.
The EFF argues that this intervention is not merely a matter of student debt but is essential to unlocking the economic potential of South Africa. “The call to #CancelAllStudentDebt is not just an academic discussion or debate, it is an urgent call which will alleviate many South African families from financial stress and anxiety and position our country towards a path of economic growth and development,” Mathys added. By removing this financial barrier, the EFF believes that young South Africans will be able to more effectively contribute to the economy, pursue careers, and break free from the cycle of poverty.
The introduction of this Private Member’s Bill is part of the EFF’s broader agenda for economic justice and equality, and the party is urging South Africans to rally behind the initiative. For the EFF, canceling student debt represents not only a practical solution to a pressing crisis but also a step towards greater economic fairness and social mobility. The Bill’s passage could have far-reaching implications for South Africa’s education system, economy, and the future of its youth, positioning the country to create a more equitable and inclusive society.
As the debate over the Bill continues, it is clear that the question of student debt is not just about financial relief for individuals but a broader issue of social justice. The EFF’s proposal to clear all student debt is a bold step in the fight against inequality and an attempt to secure a brighter future for South Africa’s youth. It remains to be seen whether the Bill will gain the necessary support in Parliament, but its introduction underscores the importance of addressing the systemic barriers that continue to hinder the country’s young people from reaching their full potential.