Pretoria - Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi says the release of the improved matric pass rate and the rate of qualification for university entry should be cause for celebration, not tragedy.
This is in response to the incident in which a mother of a prospective student was killed in a stampede at the University of Johannesburg yesterday.
Thousands of youths had gathered outside the Auckland Park campus in the hopes of getting admission into the university early on Tuesday, but when the gates were opened at around 7.30am, a stampede occurred.
Many others were injured and three were taken to hospital.
In a message of condolence to the family and friends of the woman who died, Manyi said it was an unfortunate incident and that he hoped it would be fully investigated.
"Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and friends of the mother of the prospective student who is reported to have been a young mother as well," he said.
Government has noted the possibility of halting last minute university applications at universities, as suggested by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.
"Government calls on candidates to take the necessary, timeous steps to secure entry to tertiary institutions and calls on such institutions to take measures to make these processes as smooth and efficient as possible for candidates," said Manyi.
According to reports, Nzimande will be visiting the family of the victim who died in the stampede.
UJ has meanwhile closed applications for first year studies and only those people who have been conditionally admitted, subject to space and their matric results, will be allowed on campus.
