Better state intervention is needed if more poor students are to have access to higher education, President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.

Zuma was addressing a graduation ceremony at the University of Zululand, which will soon mark its 50th anniversary.

"The anniversary of an institution of this nature reminds us of the need to work harder to encourage more students from working class and poor communities to acquire higher education," said Zuma.

"This will require that we improve the National Student Financial Aid scheme amongst other interventions."

Zuma also said that higher education as a whole not only needed to assist in the development of South Africa but also prepare its students in a competitive global economy.

"At the moment, the national skills pool required for industrial development and sustainable competitiveness leaves much to be desired," said Zuma.

Zuma also asked that universities provide space and tolerance for opposing views and "encourage our campuses to be turned into thriving marketplaces of ideas".

He concluded his speech by taking note of the recent anniversary of last year's outbreak of xenophobic violence.

"The painful and shocking incidents displayed intolerance of the highest order. There can be no justification for the kinds of attacks that took place, and we condemn them to this day," said Zuma.

"We want to see our people cultivate a culture of tolerance of opposing views, and an understanding and appreciation of the existence of people from other countries in South Africa."

Sapa

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