Phiwokuhle Mothemela
“People (students) must be helped here and leave knowing what their [NSFAS] application status is.”
These were the words of an 'unimpressed' Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, after observing the long lines at Nelson Mandela University’s financial aid office in Gqeberha on Monday.
Dr Nkabane is on a national program to assess institutions' state of readiness for the academic year and to address issues raised by students.
Last week, students from various student political organisations blocked entrances to the North and South campuses citing registration, accommodation, funding, and shuttle services issues as some of the reasons for the protest.
On Monday, the minister was met by a long line of students at North Campus who were queuing for different reasons relating to funding.
Former SRC secretary and EFF student command member Olwethu Xawuka said the biggest issue students are faced with is registration.
Xawuka accused the financial aid office of delaying sending out clearance SMSs which is a key aspect of the registration process for NSFAS-funded students.
“Most of the students do not have a place to sleep as they are unregistered and awaiting their NSFAS funding applications to be approved,” says Xawuka.
He also touched on the issue of concession and historic debt and said students who apply for concessions and have debt dating back to April last year were not allowed to study despite their satisfactory academic performance.
In response to a question from Dr Nkabane about where students go after being turned away, Xawuka said they were “scattered all over the metro", squatting with friends in their rooms.
Dr. Nkabane then committed to placing NSFAS officials on campus for a week to address NSFAS-related issues.
SRC president Lathitha Mbuzwana said they have given university management a week to respond to outstanding issues.
“We are in unison with other student political organizations because these challenges go beyond political affiliation.”
NSFAS administrator Freeman Nomvalo admitted to their "shortcomings" and apologised.
“We make no excuses for our failures, all we are committing to is our willingness to work with you [the students and university].
