Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO) strongly condemns NSFAS’s persistent failure to fulfil its most basic obligations to South African students. Despite countless promises, media statements, and announcements from the Minister of Higher Education, NSFAS continues to leave students homeless, and unable to access their constitutional rights to education and adequate food.
In April 2025, former Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nkabane, announced a 4% increase to student allowances in light of the escalating cost of living crisis. Months later, this promise remains unfulfilled for countless students across campuses. At Stellenbosch University, students are still waiting for their promised increases, forcing them to use allowances for food to cover their accommodation.
At the University of the Western Cape, student allowances are not being paid in the amounts pledged, directly affecting students’ ability to secure accommodation and meals.
As mentioned in our previous statement, at Tshwane South TVET College, over 500 students have been locked out of their residences and forced to sleep on the streets because NSFAS owes over R9 million to accommodation providers. While we mention only a few examples above, we know that these are not isolated incidents, but that they shamefully affect thousands of students across our country.
NSFAS’s own statements reveal the depth of this crisis, acknowledging owing hundreds of millions, but still offering excuses. Minister Manamela’s announcement of R13.3 billion in reprioritised funding appears to be another empty promise without transparency about cuts made or a plan to address the R10.6 billion shortfall.
The impact extends beyond students to many accommodation providers and landlords who have sustained NSFAS-funded students in good faith, only to face months of non-payment.
DASO demands immediate action to address this crisis. Minister Manamela must urgently intervene to ensure that all outstanding accommodation payments are settled, that the pledged 4% allowance increases are implemented immediately across all institutions, and that students facing eviction receive emergency accommodation support. The Department of Higher Education and Training must establish direct oversight of NSFAS operations and implement accountability measures that prevent future crises.
Furthermore, DASO urges all universities and TVET colleges to communicate clearly and proactively with their student bodies about NSFAS-related challenges. Too many institutions remain silent until crises reach breaking point, leaving students confused and without recourse. Clear, regular communication about NSFAS payment schedules, delays, and available support services should not be optional; it is an institutional responsibility to students who have placed their trust in the higher education system.
The time for excuses has passed. NSFAS has long-since transformed from a beacon of hope for disadvantaged students into a source of trauma, uncertainty, and despair. Students cannot eat promises or sleep in media statements. They need immediate action to restore dignity to their educational journey.
DASO will not stand idly while NSFAS’s failures destroy the dreams and futures of South African students. We call on all stakeholders to hold NSFAS accountable for its promises and to ensure that no student’s education is compromised by administrative failures that should never have been allowed to persist. Students deserve better than a broken and corrupt system, we will continue to fight for every student affected by these failures until real change is achieved.
Regards
Andrea Martinez
DASO Federal Chairperson