The National Qualifications Framework in South Africa: 1995 to 2013

The South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) has been in place since 1995. This paper provides a contextual account of the implementation and development of the South African NQF as one of the first generation NQFs located within a broader lifelong learning context as it explores the lessons that have been learnt from this evolving and transformational process over the last 18 years. These include: the development of distinctive sub-frameworks and quality assurance models for different sectors within a single integrated NQF; a new approach to the design of occupational qualifications on all levels of the NQF; the development of a national career advisory service to assist users to navigate the NQF; strengthening of credential evaluation practices following a learning outcomes approach; and the need for strong public advocacy during implementation of the NQF. The paper argues that the South African NQF, with both its successes and failures, has served as a benchmark for the development of national and regional qualifications frameworks in Southern Africa and further afield and will continue to influence the international discourse on qualifications frameworks into the foreseeable future.

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