2021 Tertiary Academic Year to Begin in March & April

Written by Mfundo on 18 January, 2021

By: Lindelani Mbatha & Mfundo Mabaso

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Blade Nzimande, says NSFAS students who have not yet completed their 2020 academic year, will continue to get their allowance until they complete their studies.

Nzimande has been briefing media on the state of readiness of tertiary institutions to start the academic year.

Last year, Universities were given until February this year, to complete the 2020 academic year, with the 2021 calendar set to start between March and April.

Nzimande says they are committed to supporting deserving students from working class and poor backgrounds to receive education.

On COVID-19’s research, he says the department of Science and Innovation, has to date invested over R68 million, reprioritised from the 2019/20 and 2020/21 budget allocation, towards COVID-19 research and development (R&D) activities.

Nzimande says the department is also working closely with agencies such as BIOVAC to investigate a long-term strategy for a robust and integrated national science and innovation platform to reduce South Africa’s vulnerability against pandemic outbreaks.

On vaccines, he says the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has entered into an agreement with Kentucky Biological Products (KBP) for the potential manufacturing of the antigen of their vaccine.

The Minister has also called out false news and myths including the prominent 5G controversial one.

WATCH: Minister Nzimande warning of false news about COVID-19 vaccines.