Pretoria students outraged over NSFAS defunding, delayed payments

Students, frustrated with being sidelined and not receiving their allowances and fees, marched to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on May 19 to submit a memorandum outlining their grievances and demands.

Led by the South African Student Congress (Sasco) and the ANC Youth League, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) students united in their fight against the “NSFAS injustice”.

They called for the immediate payment of outstanding allowances, an urgent payment of accommodation fees and a decentralised NSFAS system.

Kagisho Sedikila, the Mega Tshwane Regional Chairperson of Sasco, noted that many students were deregistering and being evicted from their residences due to NSFAS defunding, despite qualifying for support.

“Students are being denied their right to education. Some are forced to sleep with men just to have a roof over their heads and not risk returning home with nothing to show for their time at university,” he stated.

He emphasised that NSFAS must address the issues raised by students or risk the resurgence of the #FeesMustFall movement.

Sedikila further said that they call for a decentralised NSFAS, as there is currently no effective communication channel between the scheme and students.

“The only way to communicate is through email, which receives countless messages daily, with no responses. The call centre is also unresponsive,” he explained.

He said students demand that NSFAS establish an office on each campus, staffed with officials who can assist them with their concerns.

One of the student participants, Aishar Mokone, relayed concerns over deteriorating learning materials and the lack of book allowances.

“One of my concerns is we do not get book allowances; we are given torn books, and at the end of the day, they expect us to pay from our own pockets,” she said.

Mokone said after this march, she would like to see improvements from NSFAS.

“It must have clear communication with us students and improve conditions at TVET colleges,” she said.

Another student, Junior Masetla, echoed the same sentiments.

“We’re experiencing NSFAS problems as students because right now we have a shortage of lecturers,” he said.

He expressed pressing challenges they face as students.

“Some of us have not yet received our allowance since they have registered. I would like to see NSFAs prioritising us as students. Everyone must receive what is due to them. How do they expect us to study on an empty stomach when we meet the criteria to be funded?” Masetla said.

Glen Molapo, a student from the Soshanguve campus, expressed his frustration with NSFAS, stating that the organisation has been cruel to students.

He shared his experience of being abruptly defunded in the middle of the academic year.

“I was suddenly defunded, and when I appealed, I only received a response in December. How cruel is that? How was I supposed to study throughout the year?”

Glen mentioned that he has accumulated debt with TUT and is uncertain about how he will settle it.

“I’m almost done with my studies, but because of this debt, I don’t think I will receive my certificate of completion.”

Another student from the Pretoria campus, Unathi Gumede, described the emotional impact of being evicted from her residence due to sudden defunding.

“It hurts so much. We leave our homes and assure our parents that we are safe and taken care of, only to be left without accommodation because NSFAS decided to be selfish.”

She explained that she was forced to stay with friends until she could gather enough money to return home.

“Some people aren’t patient enough to host an unexpected guest who can’t even contribute financially but only adds to their overcrowding,” she stated.

TUT SRC secretary Kagiso Mabisane pleaded for intervention from the minister.

“I believe the most important part we came here for is to submit the memorandum to the minister of higher education to intervene so that these issues can be solved. Because right now we’ve approached test week at TUT, but some students are homeless, and they do not know where to go, as they have been evacuated from their residences,” Mabisane said.

Rendani Nematswerani, representative of accommodation providers in Tshwane, expressed solidarity with the students.

“We are with you in this solidarity, and we believe that together we can make NSFAS understand that accommodation is a right; everyone deserves to have accommodation, and everyone has a right to transport.

“We are ready, and all the systems are in place. We are going to work with you going forward to solve problems and crises of accommodation,” he said.

The memorandum demanded:

– Urgent intervention to ensure that NSFAS provides a clear update and action plan for TVET-funded students.

– A detailed explanation and reinstatement process for all students defunded without valid reasons.

– A transparent and accessible appeals process, with clear feedback provided for all appeal outcomes.

– A comprehensive audit and payment of all outstanding allowances from previous academic years.

– Accelerated processing and communication of all pending student loan applications.

The Chief Director for TVET programmes and qualifications, Tshivudziwi Vele, collected and signed the memorandum of demands on behalf of the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.

Vele stated that Nkabane has committed to meeting with student leadership before the end of the week.

“This will be before we respond to the issues raised in the memorandum. However, we will still provide our response within the seven days that you have given us,” he said.

The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and SAPS monitored the demonstration.

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