6,739 foreign academics: Parliament turns spotlight on staffing at SA universities

Johannesburg – South Africa’s reliance on foreign academics has come under renewed parliamentary scrutiny, with universities defending international recruitment as an important contributor to the quality of teaching, research and knowledge production.

According to News24, Parliament was told that foreign academics play an important role in strengthening South Africa’s university system, amid questions over the appointment of international staff and whether suitably qualified South Africans are being overlooked.

The debate follows months of parliamentary concern about the number and status of foreign academics employed at local universities. Daily Maverick reported that 6,739 foreign academic staff members were employed at South African universities in 2024. Zimbabweans accounted for 27% of foreign academics, followed by Nigerians at 14%.

However, the Department of Higher Education and Training has acknowledged gaps in its data, particularly regarding the immigration status of foreign academics and whether they are permanent residents, naturalised citizens or holders of critical-skills visas.

Suspicions

DHET Deputy Director-General for University Education Thandi Lewin told MPs that the department had “suspicions” about possible irregularities but lacked sufficient data to determine their extent.

“The difficulty that we have is that we have the suspicions, but not good enough data, to really tell us how much of this is … happening,” Lewin said.

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has stressed that universities must comply with immigration and labour laws, warning that employing foreigners without valid documentation is unlawful.

He said institutions employing people without the necessary permits were “not exercising academic freedom. It is breaking the law, and it will be treated accordingly.”

Universities defend international recruitment

The scrutiny has raised concerns among academics and higher-education organisations that the debate could undermine internationalisation and South Africa’s ability to attract global academic talent.

Research published in Acta Commercii found that universities recruit expatriate academics partly because they bring scarce skills, strengthen research and knowledge production, modernise teaching practices and enhance interculturalism.

Universities South Africa has similarly argued that internationalisation should be viewed as part of academic excellence rather than simply as competition for jobs. In a 2025 position paper, USAf said claims that universities were prioritising foreign academics over local talent required “deeper interrogation and a nuanced understanding of the higher education landscape.”

The debate therefore pits two concerns against each other: the need to develop and employ South African academic talent while ensuring universities can recruit specialised expertise from abroad.

The issue is likely to remain contentious as Parliament pushes universities and the department for more detailed staffing information and greater transparency around foreign academic appointments.