Cape Town — South African universities are being forced to play an "ambulance service" to black students, according to the former UCT vice-chancellor, Mamphela Ramphele.

Ramphele has blamed the failures of the education system for not preparing black pupils for university.

She made the statements after giving the keynote address at the annual Helen Suzman memorial lecture at the South African National Gallery this week.

A task team is currently reviewing UCT's admission policies. One of the issues under debate is whether race should still be considered when accepting new students. Some have argued that after 15 years of democracy the practice is outdated, with many black pupils coming from middle-class homes and having attended top city schools.

But Ramphele said the real problems facing black pupils were within the education system, and that until they could be resolved the university should continue its "affirmative action" policy.

"The problem is that we are looking at transformation as working towards very specific ideals. But the question we must ask is, are there still barriers of entry for black people? If so, what are they? We can't perpetuate those barriers."

Ramphele has been a fierce opponent of the Outcomes-Based Education curriculum.

"This undermining of the education system happened on our watch. How many of you stood up and said this curriculum is not working? We wonder why there is real rage, how a young person will not only steal your cellphone, but come back and stab you. They are angry and you and I have failed them by acquiescing to government policies," she said.