By Malcom Hlongwane |
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has been placed under administration in a decisive move by Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela, following mounting outrage from students over funding failures and financial mismanagement.
For years, thousands of students have protested being unfunded or underfunded, despite qualifying for assistance. The crisis deepened after revelations that NSFAS had been paying allowances to more than 8,000 deceased beneficiaries, raising serious concerns about data integrity and oversight within the system.
Announcing the intervention, Manamela confirmed that Professor Hlengani Mathebula has been appointed as administrator with immediate effect. Mathebula, a former board member of the Media Development and Diversity Agency, is expected to stabilise the institution and restore public trust.
The decision follows the collapse of NSFAS governance structures, with a mass resignation leaving the board with only seven members, rendering it ineffective. The minister outlined a series of failures, including inaccurate student data, irregular and wasteful expenditure, and ineffective information and communication technology systems.
“These weaknesses have resulted in double payments to some students, while others received nothing at all,” Manamela said during a media briefing.Despite the turmoil, the minister reassured students that allowances and accommodation payments will continue without disruption. Payment delays earlier this year triggered widespread protests across campuses, placing additional pressure on government to act swiftly.
The administration process aims to rebuild NSFAS through stronger governance, improved financial management, and reliable systems to ensure fair and timely distribution of funds. Authorities say the intervention is a critical step toward restoring stability and ensuring that deserving students receive the support they need to pursue higher education.
