The Barriers Keeping South African Graduates Abroad: Is SAQA Holding Us Back?

South Africa is losing out on skilled graduates who studied abroad, thanks to the hefty costs and lengthy delays in recognizing their qualifications. South Africans who earn degrees overseas often come back with the intent to contribute to the country’s development, but they are met with a bureaucratic nightmare from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

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Currently, graduates who return home are required to apply for equivalency, a process that costs R2,145. This comes alongside a waiting period of up to three months, which significantly delays their ability to pursue further education or start work in South Africa.

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In addition to the R2,145 application fee, some degree-holders have to pay £25 (R585) to a third-party company to verify their qualifications. Degree-holders have to pay the third-party company to do the work they have already paid SAQA to do.

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The process doesn’t end there. If SAQA undervalues or refuses to recognize a qualification, graduates are forced to pay another R2,320 or R3,480 to appeal the decision. The cost and drawn-out process deter many from completing the equivalency procedure altogether, further fueling the shortage of skilled professionals in South Africa.

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This raises a pressing question: Should the Department of Higher Education re-evaluate the system that is designed to integrate returning graduates into the workforce? While SAQA may argue that its thorough evaluation process is necessary to ensure the quality of foreign qualifications, these justifications fall short when faced with the inefficiencies and costs that deter our best minds from returning.

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The deterrents created by these fees and delays are severe. Take, for instance, a graduate who studied at a top-tier university abroad and is eager to join South Africa’s academic sector. If they have to wait three months for their qualification to be recognized - or worse, pay thousands more in appeal fees -the likelihood of them pursuing opportunities outside South Africa increases. The net effect is a growing diaspora of talented individuals who should be helping to build our economy but are instead left working elsewhere due to the challenges they face at home.

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The current SAQA system fails to value the potential these degree-holders represent. The prolonged delays hinder both educational and career advancement, further amplifying the skills gap in vital sectors like healthcare, technology, and engineering. For a nation that is struggling with unemployment and a need for specialized skills, this system is counterproductive.

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But is this only about cost and time? The system’s financial burden is real - graduates who have already spent a significant amount studying abroad face further financial pressure. This is even worse for graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds, who only managed to study abroad through scholarships but return to face thousands of rands in fees for services that should cost much less. However, beyond the money, there is an emotional cost. These graduates return home expecting to contribute to the country’s growth, only to be met with obstacles that make them feel undervalued and unwelcome.

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For South Africa to move forward, reforms are necessary. The Department of Higher Education should revisit SAQA’s processes to make them more efficient and affordable. Reducing the fees and shortening the time required to process equivalencies would make a tangible difference. Beyond that, creating clear pathways for resolving disputes over qualification recognition without forcing graduates to pay exorbitant appeal fees would ensure a fairer system for all.

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There’s also room for innovation. SAQA could explore establishing partnerships with key universities abroad, streamlining the equivalency process for certain institutions. By doing so, South Africa could significantly reduce delays, all while tapping into the expertise of returning graduates who are eager to make a difference.

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Ultimately, this is about more than just fixing a broken system. South Africa has the opportunity to reclaim its brightest minds by removing these barriers. If we continue to make it difficult for our talent to come home, we risk further depriving our economy of the skilled workforce it so desperately needs.

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We stand at a crucial point: Should we maintain a process that deters talent from returning, or do we recognize the value of our graduates and welcome them with open arms? Reforming SAQA’s equivalency process is not just about convenience - it’s about ensuring that South Africa benefits from the knowledge and skills our graduates acquire abroad.

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By addressing these issues, the Department of Higher Education can make a bold statement: that South Africa values its returning graduates and is committed to creating pathways that allow them to thrive. It’s time to rethink the way we integrate skilled individuals into our workforce and create a system that truly supports the nation’s development.

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Lindani Zungu is the founder and leader of Voices of Mzansi.