Unpacking the NSFAS Board Governance Crisis

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), South Africa's key mechanism for providing financial support to students from low-income backgrounds attending universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, is facing a severe governance crisis. In late April 2026, a wave of resignations, including that of interim chairperson Dr. Mugwena Maluleke, has left the board with only seven members, raising serious questions about its ability to function effectively. This turmoil threatens the stability of funding for over 1.2 million students, who rely on NSFAS bursaries covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and books to access higher education.

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has launched a review of the board's capability to discharge its duties, amid fears that the reduced quorum could paralyze decision-making. As universities and TVET colleges gear up for the mid-year semester, the crisis underscores longstanding challenges in NSFAS administration, from fraud allegations to payment delays that disrupt student life and academic progress.

Timeline of the Latest Resignations

The crisis escalated rapidly in April 2026. Dr. Mugwena Maluleke, serving as acting chairperson since November 2025, resigned effective April 27, citing personal and academic commitments. Board member Karabo Mohale, who chaired the Human Resources and Organisational Development Committee, also stepped down around the same time. Earlier departures included finance experts Philisiwe Sibiya, Clarinda Simpson, and Prashika Mahesh, all qualified accountants whose exits have crippled the board's financial oversight capacity.

• February 2025: New board appointed by then-Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, chaired by Dr. Karen Stander.
• November 2025: Stander resigns citing a 'toxic' environment; Maluleke appointed acting chair.
• April 2026: Maluleke and Mohale resign, board shrinks to 7 members.

These events follow a pattern, with seven resignations reported since July 2025, highlighting chronic instability.

Minister Manamela's Stabilisation Efforts

Minister Manamela swiftly accepted the resignations and initiated individual engagements with remaining board members to assess governance viability. He is consulting Parliament, the National Treasury, and oversight bodies to explore legal options, ensuring procedural fairness. 'The cumulative effect of these resignations has significantly reduced the number of voting members, raising concerns about the board’s ability to remain properly constituted,' the ministry stated. Despite the upheaval, NSFAS operations continue uninterrupted, with student disbursements monitored closely.

Manamela emphasized NSFAS's pivotal role in expanding access to post-school education for poor and working-class students, pledging no disruption to the 2026 academic year funding cycle. For more on the minister's statement, see the official SAnews release.

Historical Context of NSFAS Governance Woes

NSFAS, established in 1991 and transformed into a bursary scheme post-2018 'free higher education' policy, has been plagued by scandals. In 2024, former Minister Blade Nzimande dissolved the board amid corruption probes involving kickbacks and improper contracts. The 2025 Auditor-General report highlighted systemic failures like payments to deceased students and ineligible beneficiaries. Ongoing issues include fragmented IT systems, poor data integration with universities, and over-reliance on external service providers, leading to verification delays and protests at institutions like DUT and CPUT.

Key Past Milestones

This history has eroded trust, with organizations like OUTA calling for ethical leadership and robust controls.

Impacts on Universities and TVET Colleges

South African universities and TVET colleges bear the brunt of NSFAS dysfunction. With 660,000+ students approved for 2026 funding from 893,000 applications, institutions receive upfront tuition payments (R4.2 billion disbursed early 2026), but delays in allowances force students into debt or unsafe housing. Examples include protests at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) over accommodation shortfalls and University of Johannesburg (UJ) students pawning laptops due to unpaid stipends.

• TVETs: 210,000+ continuing students affected by verification backlogs.
• Universities: Debt books swell as NSFAS-NSIP integration fails, impacting registration.

Read the DA's analysis on systemic failures here.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Reactions

The Democratic Alliance (DA) labels it a 'board collapse,' demanding parliamentary briefings and accountability. NEHAWU criticizes repeated crises exacerbating exclusion. On X (formerly Twitter), #NSFAS trends with student frustration over governance and calls for reform. Universities South Africa (USAf) urges resilience amid financial strain.

NSFAS Funding Statistics and Scale

In 2026, NSFAS approved 660,039 students, disbursing billions: R3.6 billion in allowances to universities alone. Budget: R55.4 billion projected, funding 70% of poor students' needs. Yet, 132,000 rejections and 200,000 under review highlight demand exceeding supply.

Challenges Facing Students and Institutions

Students grapple with delayed book/transport allowances, leading to dropouts—TVETs see high attrition. Universities like Wits and UCT report administrative burdens verifying NSFAS data, straining resources. Fraud cases, like payments to ghosts, erode funds meant for legitimate beneficiaries.

Proposed Solutions and Reforms

Experts recommend: robust IT upgrades for data integration; ethical governance per King IV; stable CEO appointment; decentralized operations with regional hubs; and loan repayment incentives. NSFAS's strategic plan emphasizes transparency and student-centered services. For deeper insights, explore OUTA's recommendations.

• Strengthen board quorum requirements.
• Implement real-time verification with SETAs/unis.
• Financial literacy programs for beneficiaries.

Future Outlook for South African Higher Education

While immediate stability is assured, sustained reforms are crucial. A reconstituted board with diverse expertise could restore confidence, ensuring NSFAS fulfills its mandate in transforming access to universities and TVETs. Stakeholders eye parliamentary oversight for accountability, positioning NSFAS as a pillar of equitable education amid economic pressures.

Photo by Hennie Stander on Unsplash