By Thabo Mosia
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have voiced strong opposition to the “exorbitant” R3.6 billion cost associated with printing matric examination papers, which they attribute to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) push for privatisation under Minister Siviwe Gwarube. In a statement released on Monday, the EFF claimed this shift from using state-owned services, such as the Government Printing Works (GPW), to private entities is a deliberate attempt to weaken government capabilities by outsourcing critical functions to private companies. The EFF’s criticism centres on concerns of privatisation, alleging it prioritises profit over the public good and compromises the quality of essential services.
The printing cost for matric exams has sparked debate, with the EFF describing it as wasteful and unnecessary. According to their statement, this decision aligns with the DA’s agenda of privatisation, benefiting “white capital” at the expense of the government’s resources. The EFF argues that the cost of printing exams under private contracts has skyrocketed from less than R1 billion to R3.6 billion, an increase they view as unjustifiable and harmful to public finances.
Background on the R3.6 Billion Printing Cost Controversy
Previously, the Government Printing Works (GPW) handled the printing of matric examination papers across all nine provinces. This arrangement was cost-effective, ensuring that taxpayer money was directed toward maintaining and enhancing government capabilities. However, the recent shift has led eight of the nine provinces to employ private printing companies. According to the EFF, this decision has driven up costs dramatically. For instance, in Limpopo, the cost rose from R13 million to over R30 million, while North West saw an increase from R8 million to over R27 million. Gauteng’s expenditure on exam printing more than doubled, jumping from R17 million to over R36 million.
The EFF argues that this rise in costs has not led to an improvement in service quality but has merely enriched private corporations. The party claims that the two main beneficiaries of this arrangement, Lithotech (owned by Bidvest SA) and Lebone Litho Printers, both have directors who benefit from the profits generated. The EFF has labelled this situation as an erosion of government capacity, warning that continued privatisation could lead to private corporations having control over every essential government service.
EFF Criticises DA’s Leadership in Education
The EFF’s statement also criticises the DA’s broader approach to managing the Department of Basic Education. According to the EFF, the DA has been “less than adequate” in its impact on public education, accusing the party of refusing to fully endorse the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill. The EFF argues that this failure demonstrates a lack of commitment to addressing educational inequality, which disproportionately affects African children. The party claims that the DA’s budget cuts have led to fewer teachers, worsened the teacher-to-learner ratio, and deprived learners of the quality education they require to succeed.
Furthermore, the EFF states that essential support services within the education sector have suffered due to budget cuts. They point to reduced funding for school nutrition programmes, which has left many children without the meals they rely on. Additionally, they highlight problems with learner transport tenders, which they say have been mismanaged, failing to provide reliable services to rural and underserved communities. The EFF believes that these policies and decisions reflect a self-serving approach prioritising corporate interests over the needs of South Africa’s people.
The Cost Breakdown by the Department of Basic Education
In response to these criticisms, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) sought to clarify the costs associated with holding matric exams, specifically addressing claims of an inflated budget for printing exam materials. The DBE’s Head of Communications, Elijah Mhlanga, stated that the estimated R3.6 billion budget encompasses all expenses related to matric exams, not just printing costs.
Mhlanga explained that of the R3.6 billion, only R220 million is allocated for the printing and packaging of question papers. The remaining funds cover other essential expenses, including paying teachers for setting, moderating, and marking exam papers. Additional costs involve transporting, storing, and securing question papers, maintaining the computer system used for exams, and printing and distributing results. The department also provides accommodation, meals, and transport for markers, which further contributes to the total budget.
The DBE’s clarification revealed that the R3.6 billion figure reflects the overall cost of administering matric exams for both full-time and part-time students across South Africa, not just printing costs. According to Mhlanga, the DBE spent around R2.9 billion on the 727,121 full-time candidates, who each wrote seven subjects, while the remaining R700 million was allocated to the 155,215 part-time candidates.
Government Printing Works Capacity Concerns
The EFF argues that the government’s shift toward private printers has undermined the Government Printing Works (GPW), an institution that has historically managed these tasks. However, Mhlanga addressed concerns about GPW’s capacity to handle printing for all nine provinces, noting that the GPW’s current structure does not allow it to meet such demand. GPW services the entirety of government, and it would take time and investment to increase its output to meet the needs of the education sector nationwide.
Mhlanga further explained that without a national directive mandating GPW’s services, provincial education departments have the freedom to procure printing services from local providers. This arrangement, he said, is logistically more efficient, particularly for provinces outside Gauteng, where GPW is based.
The EFF’s Call for Action
In light of the perceived privatisation agenda, the EFF has announced its intention to demand an immediate review of the DBE’s spending on matric exam printing. The party intends to advocate for a reinvestment in GPW to strengthen its capacity and reduce dependency on private companies. The EFF believes that restoring GPW’s capabilities would enable the government to retain control over essential services, ensuring that public funds are used to serve the people rather than corporate interests.
The EFF’s spokesperson emphasised the need for the government to prioritise its responsibility to the South African public by safeguarding essential services. According to the EFF, the state must fulfil its duty to provide services without external corporate interference.
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