10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

As Africa navigates the transformative demands of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR), the capacity of higher education systems to produce inclusive, innovation-driven graduates depends critically on the quality and inclusivity of the policy processes that shape them. This paper examines higher education policy development in South Africa, mapping the key actors, processes, and power dynamics that influence the sector's direction and responsiveness to emerging socio-economic challenges. Drawing on the Quadruple Helix Model (QHM) of stakeholder engagement, which encompasses government, academia, industry, and civil society, the study employs a qualitative, exploratory design using semi-structured interviews with 12 representatives across the four quadrants of the framework. Data were analysed using MAXQDA software through thematic coding aligned to the QHM axes. Findings reveal a predominantly government-led, top-down policy environment, with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) functioning as the primary initiator and regulator of policy. While formal consultation mechanisms exist, participants consistently described these processes as non-consultative in practice, with political priorities frequently superseding evidence-based approaches. Academia, civil society, and industry are acknowledged as important contributors but remain peripheral to substantive decision-making. The study further identifies tensions between internationalisation agendas shaped largely by Global North influences and the imperative for locally responsive, transformative policy. These findings carry significant implications for South Africa's readiness for the 5IR, which demands inclusive, multi-stakeholder innovation ecosystems. Genuine integration of citizen knowledge, indigenous perspectives, and cross-sector collaboration into higher education policy is essential for sustainable human capital development aligned with both the SDGs and Africa Agenda 2063.