By: Mandhlazi Rodger
Students from various universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges gathered in Pretoria to stage a March. Their destination was the Department of Higher Education and Training, where they aimed to draw attention to the persistent delays and funding shortfalls in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Led by student organizations the South African Students Federation and other school political structures, the students were vocal about their frustrations. They demanded immediate action to address the outstanding allowances and to take steps to prevent further cuts in funding.
In an interview with Student Living SA, SASF President Keamogetswe Masike stated that their mandate is one, emphasizing their desire for fairness in NSFAS Distributions. “Ours is very simple, we demand the attention of the Minister, we need her to address the issues faced by our students, historical depts, unpaid resident and allowances”, SASF President Keamogetswe Masike.
The students highlighted that the delayed release of NSFAS funds had left many struggling to meet basic needs like accommodation, food, and transportation. This financial strain was not only affecting their academic performance but also pushing some to the brink of dropping out.
“If it was not for my trying grandmother, I would have dropped out immediately when NSFAS defunded me, I had no funding since June 2024 June”, Sihle Makakwa a Student at TUT.
Keamogetswe Masike emphasized the plight of eligible students who remained unfunded or had their allowances wrongly cut off. He called on Minister Nobuhle Nkabane to allocate a significant portion of the department’s budget to cover tuition shortfalls and meet approved appeals.
The students submitted a list of demands to the department’s chief director, Thivhudziwi Vele, who assured them of a response. They are seeking reforms within NSFAS and a face-to-face meeting with Minister Nkabane to discuss their grievances. The protest underscored the urgent need for effective solutions to the NSFAS funding crisis, ensuring that students receive the support they need to succeed academically.
