In January 2012, about 8,000 people stampeded to snap up the few late-registration spots left at the University of Johannesburg. At least 22 of them were injured and a mother of a prospective student was killed. Fingers were pointed in every direction but the general consensus was that late application by too many Grade 12 learners was at the heart of the issue. Solve the problem of late application and you prevent further incidents such as the 2012 stampede.
The Department of Higher Education and Training heeded the call and, with the support of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Department of Basic Education, initiated the "Apply Now!" campaign.
"Apply Now!" is a campaign that encourages Grade 12 learners to make post-school educational choices early so that they apply at tertiary institutions in time. 600,000 booklets are to be delivered to 8,000 public schools, ensuring that each Grade 12 of every high or secondary school in South Africa receives the booklet in time.
"Through this campaign, SAQA and the Department of Higher Education and Training seek to equip learners with the necessary information that will enable them to make informed career choices and assist them in applying on time," says Ntsiki Gumbe, director: Office of the CEO, SAQA.
The success of the project depends on these 600,000 booklets being distributed efficiently and on time to 8,000 delivery points across the country, covering every public high or secondary school. The schools are spread out throughout the 1.2 million square kilometres of the SA terrain; urban, peri-urban and rural. This presents a huge logistical challenge considering that some addresses are merely landmarks such as, "turn left after 2km, near the Chibini Clinic".
When SAQA went out to tender for a CEP company to distribute and deliver the booklets they had to award the contract to a CEP company that not only presents the most cost-effective solution, but also one with the technical superiority capable of addressing the uniquely South African challenge of these landmark addresses and widely spread delivery points.
SkyNet came out tops and is proud to have won the contract. SkyNet's reputation is well known in both the public and private sectors. In an independent study undertaken in 2013, SkyNet were rated the best value for money local CEP company by private sector clients. Whilst in the public sector this reputation for extensive reach, reliability and cost effectiveness has been the reason that they are the preferred CEP company by the IEC, for the delivery and collection of books and exam papers for UNISA, and for the project to deliver the new ID documents for the Department of Home Affairs amongst others. Local ownership (over 47% by Black people) and a level 3 value added BBBEE status are a bonus.
"Being locally owned and understanding the lay of the land puts us at an advantage to CEP companies, who are internationally owned and locally managed. SkyNet is a South African owned and run business, and we know and understand how to navigate through even the most remote parts of South Africa," says Raymond Ngubane, Project Manager at SkyNet.
He continues, "As a proudly South African company, SkyNet is deeply committed to the transformation and wellbeing of the country. Education has a significant role in ensuring effective transformation and we are excited to be a key part of the project that encourages learners to own their future, while at the same time contributing to a peaceful start to the university year."
