NSFAS Court Battle

Statement by Dr Delmaine Christians MP – DA Spokesperson on Higher Education and Training:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with concern the recent reports that the dissolved National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board members are now challenging Minister Buti Manamela’s decision to place NSFAS under administration and appoint an administrator.

The DA has a standing request with the Portfolio Chairperson for the minister to urgently present a clear, long-term plan to stabilise NSFAS and reform the student funding model, we will now follow up with the chairperson to make sure Manamela accounts to parliament.

This development is deeply concerning. South Africa now faces the extraordinary situation in which a critical student funding institution is consumed by board collapses, resignations, leadership disputes, administrative processes, and now litigation.

The fact that NSFAS has now experienced multiple administrations, repeated CEO instability, and ongoing governance turmoil demonstrates that the crisis at NSFAS is no longer operational alone; it is institutional.

While the courts must determine the legality of the Minister’s actions, the continued instability at NSFAS is devastating for students who depend on the scheme for access to higher education, accommodation, and financial certainty.

Students cannot continue to pay the price for endless governance battles and political instability within NSFAS leadership structures. The fact that NSFAS has reached this point again is itself evidence of systemic collapse.

The DA reiterates that South Africa urgently requires a stable, transparent and accountable student funding model that prioritises students rather than internal power struggles