An Intersectional Study of the Funding Experiences of South African University Students After Majority Rule

Abstract

The funding experiences of university students in South Africa is explored in this chapter looking at race, gender, and socio-economic status. South Africa higher education was built on a foundation of racial inequality under apartheid. Any intersectional lens is employed to illustrate ways in the funding model crafted, before democratic rule is failing to meet the needs of Black male and female students who are marginalised by race, gender, and socio-economic status. A critical race theory displays how ANC-led government adoption of neo-liberal ideology has served to legitimise power differentials in higher education based on gender, race, and socio-economic status, nullifying the government efforts to transform higher education. Funding higher education in South Africa doesn't have a quick fix solution. It will take a multifaceted approach that takes into account historical disadvantages based on race, gender, and socio-economic status to come up with new funding approaches.