Published: 4 hours ago

The South African Qualifications Authority has stepped up efforts to resolve verification delays affecting Zimbabwean applicants, as demand for work and study opportunities in South Africa continues to surge.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, SAQA Senior Specialist for Communications and Advocacy, Nkosingiphile Nyalungu, said the authority is pursuing closer cooperation with Zimbabwean institutions to address persistent bottlenecks.

Nyalungu said SAQA had received a high volume of complaints from Zimbabweans over delayed qualification evaluations, with many applicants left waiting for extended periods.

"We have been receiving a lot of clients coming to our stand asking why our turnaround time is longer and why they are not getting feedback on time," she said.

She explained that the delays are largely due to SAQA's reliance on third-party institutions to verify academic credentials - a process complicated by the growing number of "untraceable" qualifications from defunct private colleges.

To address the challenge, SAQA is prioritising engagement with key Zimbabwean regulatory bodies, including the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

"The most important thing here is that we want to strengthen collaboration with the universities in Zimbabwe, as well as the quality assurance bodies such as ZIMCHE and the Ministry of Education," Nyalungu said.

The initiative aims to establish more efficient verification channels and ensure that qualifications presented by applicants are legitimate and recognised in their country of origin.

SAQA identified Zimbabwe as one of its largest sources of applications, underscoring the need for improved coordination between the two countries.

"Our application process is entirely online, and the fees are clearly stated," Nyalungu said. "However, the most important thing is to make sure that we continue to strengthen our relationship with Zimbabwe to better serve those who have processed their papers through us."

The move is expected to bring relief to hundreds of Zimbabwean professionals and students whose opportunities have been delayed due to verification challenges.

It also reflects broader efforts within the Southern African region to streamline the movement of skills and labour, a key focus of this year's ZITF, held under the theme "Connected Economies, Competitive Industries."

As SAQA deepens its collaboration with Zimbabwean authorities, stakeholders hope the initiative will reduce processing times and restore confidence in cross-border qualification recognition systems.
- The Herald