Latest News & Developments
The murder case against a residence manager accused of killing a Walter Sisulu University student has been postponed, igniting protests from students demanding justice for poor living conditions.
Minister Nobuhle Nkabane's plans to decentralise NSFAS services stall as legal disputes and union opposition take centre stage.
A 54-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Walter Sisulu University student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a protest over poor living conditions.
Minister of Higher Education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has condemned violent protests at Walter Sisulu University that resulted in one death and several injuries, calling for urgent action to ensure campus safety.
The scheme said full remittances of the payments made to students have already been provided to the respective institutions. Students are encouraged to submit the appropriate proof of payment to their respective college Financial Aid Officers. It is important to note that failure to comply may result in eviction or deductions from future allowances,” it said.
NSFAS urgently reminds students to settle their R10,800 accommodation allowances to avoid eviction and future deductions. This comes after confusion over a larger allowance payment, stressing the importance of timely payments.
Durban University of Technology Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, discusses the ramifications of the fee-free education policy and its impact on student protests, highlighting the challenges faced by universities in maintaining educational quality.
NSFAS is urging landlords not to evict students despite still owing R27 million to private accommodation providers from an original R44 million debt. The Private Student Housing Association warns this ongoing payment crisis could leave students homeless as universities reopen, while NSFAS promises to resolve claims and has moved payment deadlines forward.
NSFAS calls on accommodation providers to collaborate in supporting students as it announces improvements to the accommodation claims process.
NSFAS is the largest entity in the higher education and training sector in terms of income size. A R52 billion institution responsible for funding poor students from working class backgrounds.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) launches urgent legal action to terminate NSFAS's controversial R2. 5 million monthly office lease in Cape Town, while labour unions contest staff relocation plans. The case, set for Special Tribunal hearing, highlights ongoing governance and financial management concerns in South Africa's student funding scheme.
Ishmael Mnisi, the spokesperson for NSFAS, concurred that the major challenge relates to the demand and the market supply of student accommodation.
Former NYDA CEO Waseem Carrim, known for achieving nine consecutive clean audits and growing his previous organisation's budget from R400m to R1. 5bn, takes the helm at NSFAS as acting CEO. His appointment comes as the organisation tackles governance challenges and implements major reforms following the recovery of R2 . billion in misdirected funds
NSFAS's R44 million debt to private accommodation providers will be settled soon, announces Deputy Minister Manamela, as South Africa grapples with a critical student housing shortage affecting thousands.
After recent allegations of landlord misconduct, NSFAS urges students to report any instances of exploitation or abuse to the police
The board has it has been instructed to clean the system.
Nsfas board chairperson Dr Karen Stander said they would not tolerate corruption.
Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane says the management of student accommodation will be handed back to universities in response to safety concerns and allegations of misconduct
The ANC government has made a habit of promising more than the country can afford. With this latest controversy over a proposed two-percentage-point increase in VAT, the maths is simply not mathing, writes Lee Rondganger.
Protesting students at eThekwini TVET College are calling for solutions to their accommodation challenges
One of the key reasons why the protests occur is the fact that students are left without the promised funding from the NSFAS. Often the funding is granted, but not timeously.
Legal action is imminent as the SIU investigates the NSFAS lease agreement, raising questions about transparency and accountability in higher education.
SIU is set to initiate legal proceedings to terminate NSFAS’s costly office lease in Cape Town, which has raised concerns among lawmakers regarding financial management.
The Special Investigating Unit has uncovered R2 billion in overpayments made to universities and TVET colleges, revealing significant discrepancies in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s funding processes.
Thousands of South African students face financial instability due to unpaid fees, preventing them from registering or obtaining their qualifications. Despite NSFAS' efforts, many students remain trapped in debt, with institutions like Tshwane University of Technology failing to offer assistance.