Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has encouraged students to choose study fields that align with South Africa’s economic and skills demands. This, she said, will improve their employability and open entrepreneurial opportunities.
Addressing learners, the minister stressed the importance of strategic course selection, urging students to enrol in programmes that meet market needs. “We want to appeal to you learners to match economic demand with skills demand so we can produce employable graduates or foster entrepreneurial pathways,” she stated.
NSFAS Progress and Support
Minister Nkabane highlighted the role of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in enabling education access for disadvantaged students. She revealed that NSFAS received 895,916 applications for the 2025 academic year, of which 676,317 have been provisionally funded. The remaining applications are undergoing verification.
To address common registration challenges, the ministry has implemented a “quick query resolution mechanism,” involving senior officials from higher learning institutions and NSFAS.
The minister also announced the introduction of regionalised services, with mobile offices on campuses nationwide. “These mobile offices will be available at all institutions of higher learning to provide assistance,” she explained.
To ensure a smooth academic start, the ministry has deployed officials to oversee operations and resolve issues, particularly with student accommodation.
Support for the “Missing Middle”
Addressing the financial gap for students who do not qualify for NSFAS but cannot afford fees, the minister reported that 17,246 loan applications for the “missing middle” have been received. These are expected to be processed by the end of February, pending submission of required documents by institutions.
Appeals are also being prioritised, with a plan to finalise them by the end of March. The ministry has committed to continuous system monitoring to ensure seamless support during the registration process.
Students Share Their Experiences
Ayanda Buthelezi, from Dedangifunde High School in Madadeni, expressed optimism after being provisionally funded. “I applied for NSFAS in September 2024, received a response, and accepted an offer at the University of the Free State. I’m confident I won’t face any issues when I start,” she said.
However, some students remain anxious. Zamajobe Sithole from oThongathi awaits university placement despite her provisional NSFAS funding. “I’m very anxious about getting accepted at a university,” she admitted.
Andiswa Ngema, a learner from Seatides Combined School, shared concerns about delayed responses. “I applied for NSFAS but haven’t received any feedback. I’m definitely anxious,” she noted.
The ministry’s initiatives aim to address these challenges and ensure students are equipped to thrive academically while contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
