academics
investigated
The allegedly outlandish perks of the University of the Western Cape’s rector have sparked a probe into top academics’ salaries, reports Andy Duffy
A staff memo that values University of the Western Cape (UWC) rector Cecil Abrahams’s pay and perks at close to R1-million a year has helped trigger a government probe into top academics’ salaries.
Abrahams and the chair of UWC’s council, Gilly Thomas, dismiss the staff’s salary estimate as wildly inaccurate and “preposterous”.
But it is understood the rumour gained enough currency to surface in meetings last week between Minister of Education Sibusiso Bengu and campus stakeholders. Bengu promised to investigate the general issue of academics’ salaries.
The minister currently has no power to determine academics’ salaries – even though they come from the public purse – nor to order them to disclose what they earn.
His interest was sparked, however, when the South African Students Congress and others at the meeting raised their concerns about the alleged package. Abrahams was not mentioned by name.
“The whole salary structure has got to be transparent. There should be no secret about it. The minister wants to look at the matter,” said Bengu’s representative.
Last week’s meetings also included deputy director general of higher education, Nasima Badsha, and representatives from the South African University Vice-Chancellors’ Association, the Committee of Technikon Principals and various unions.
It was called to discuss the government’s progress in drawing up a new funding formula for tertiary education, and its plans to reshape the sector. The proposals, which include the merger and closure of some campuses, are expected to be finalised over the next three months.
The issue of senior academics’ salaries has long been controversial, with calls for disclosure traditionally swatted by nonplussed rectors and their councils.
But the vice-chancellors’ association believes rectors and councils can no longer ignore growing pressure for transparency. It is trying to persuade its members to release salary bands, rather than individual figures, to serve as guidelines in recruitment.
Basic pay for vice-chancellors is thought to range from R300 000 to more than R700 000, excluding perks such as houses on campus, cars and entertainment allowances.
Abrahams says he would disclose his salary, but in a “responsible way” and as part of a process co-ordinated by the vice-chancellors’ association. The patience of his staff, however, snapped at the end of last month.
In its memo, UWC’s Academic Staff Association says: “As far as we can judge, and it is only guesswork, since in spite of promises of openness … the figures have not been revealed, figures for administration from dean up are as follows: deans R300 000 a year, vice-rectors R440 000 a year, rector R660 000 a year.”
The memo also claims that Abrahams receives a car, a chauffeur, a house, three housekeepers, two gardeners and an entertainment allowance of R150 000, “which we understand as a job-related necessity, even if it is a lot higher than we would expect”.
UWC is on the brink of a huge reshape, prompted in part by funding cuts. The university management wants to lower staff benefits -including bonuses and housing subsidies – and freeze salaries at 1997 levels in a bid to cut its projected R14-million deficit. Retrenchments are not ruled out.
Academic Staff Association insiders say they accept the figures are not accurate, but believe they are intelligent guesswork. They also say there has so far been no formal denial from management, even though the memo has swept across the campus.
Thomas dismisses all the staff association’s salary estimates, saying Abrahams actually earns less than R400 000, and that his entertainment allowance is just R50 000. “He’s worth far more.”
Abrahams says he has no gardener and his wife does all the housework. “This is absolutely preposterous,” he adds.
Abrahams says the briefing note he received from the vice-chancellors’ association about the meeting with Bengu did not mention the salary issue.