TimesLive reports that Universities SA, which represents local universities, has recommended to the Fees Commission of Inquiry that employed graduates should be forced to pay a graduates' tax to help fund free higher education.  

This comes in the wake of the #FeesMustFall protests, which resulted in a zero percent increase in university fees for 2016.  Varsity fees could rise by as much as 6% next year.  Universities SA does not know how a graduates' tax would be implemented, but believes the proposal should be considered and its implications investigated.  But economist Dawie Roodt said a graduates' tax was not the solution because SA’s small tax base was already overburdened.

• Read this report by Poppy Louw in full at TimesLive
• Read too, Student union SAUS threatens year-long varsity shut-down over free higher education, at News24
• And also, Tertiary institutions under severe financial pressure, at SABC News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page