It's not 'blindingly obvious' and I think you, Georg et al haven't done the maths.  That's why the Fees Commission sat -to find out if it was. If it WAS obvious then the left-wing and populist-leaning Zuma government would've implemented it as a done deal. It would cost R71bn over R25bn already spent on higher ed, not including all education. On 5/10/16 Pravin Gordan, then fin min, said free higher ed is 'not affordable for now'. Was he wrong? Clearly, your analysis sorts him and me out. While free educ is a social democratic ideal, and I agree theoretically, I'm realistic many countries, incl a small one like SA with its very small tax base, cannot afford it except by reducing spending elsewhere or increasing taxes. But do we do that when 50% of students are not qualified to be there in the first place? Your assumptions are also faulty - you assume a multiplier effect of more productive graduates paying taxes. That assumes very low unemployment, economy growing, etc. Dream on.