Deputy minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela- Photo supplied
Deputy minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela- Photo supplied
(The Post News)- The deputy minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela has announced the resumption of the Central Application Clearing House (CACH) in once again providing a vital Free service for Grade 12 learners seeking placement in South African universities and colleges. CACH acts as a crucial safety net, assisting students who haven’t received offers through other application channels, such as the CAS pilot, or those who didn’t apply at all.
This service works by matching qualifying learners with available spaces at higher education institutions. This ensures that deserving students have another opportunity to pursue their academic goals.
For the 2025 academic year, CACH began operations on January 20, 2025, and the sign-up period will run until March 31, 2025. This timeframe is important for learners to remember if they wish to utilize the service. This service also allows institutions to complete their selection processes and connect with prospective students who meet their requirements.
A key feature of CACH is the automatic transfer of learners who did not receive offers from their chosen programmes through the CAS pilot. These learners will be automatically enrolled in the CACH service and notified of this transfer via SMS. This streamlines the process and ensures that no student is overlooked.
According to the deputy minister Manamela, CACH plays a critical role in facilitating access to higher education. By providing a platform for learners who missed initial application deadlines or were not successful in their first attempts, CACH ensures that more students have the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams. If you are a Grade 12 learner who needs assistance with university or college placement, CACH is a valuable resource to explore.
Students who applied through the Central Application System (CAS) and did not receive offers for all their chosen programs will have their information automatically uploaded to the CACH system. This gives them a second chance to be considered for available spaces at other public and private institutions.
For non CACH applicants, the department made a call to students who did not apply through CAS to register directly on the CACH website (cach.cas.ac.za) between January 20 and March 31, 2025.
How the CACH Process Works:
On Institutional Access: From January 27, 2025, universities and colleges with available spaces will access the CACH system to find suitable candidates and extend offers.
Private institutions are also expected to begin matching students from January 27, 2025, creating a competitive environment for prospective students. Applicants should be aware that they may receive offers from both public and private institutions.
It is also important to note that; CACH does not select students or guarantee placement. The final decision rests with the individual institutions. Institutions are responsible for making offers and conducting the final selection process.
CACH provides a crucial platform for students seeking placement in higher education institutions. By centralizing available spaces and student information, it streamlines the application process and increases opportunities for both students and institutions.
Learners who did not apply through any prior channels will need to actively sign up through the CACH portal. The portal can be accessed at: https://cach.cas.ac.za
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