Restructuring
The apartheid regime created different universities for different race groups, often in close proximity and offering the same courses, but neglected the development of historically black institutions. Economically, with institutions of uneven capacity, there was an urgent need to cut down on costly duplication and improve quality.
After several years of investigation and consultation, the government announced plans to radically restructure higher education through mergers and incorporations. This was completed by January 2005 and created 22 institutions out of an existing 36 universities and technikons. Out of the 36 institutions: 22 were selected for mergers; 4 for major incorporations (or loss of facilities); 1 was being dismantled and its multi-sites slotted into other institutions; and there are 10 new university names.
Read more about this topic: Education In South Africa