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Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela
The dissolution of the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was beyond reproach, according to the relevant pieces of legislation.
This is what the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee as he updated the Committee regarding his decision to sack the board.
“I wouldn’t just preferred the board itself to be nullified and that remained capable of producing legal consequences until properly set aside by a court of law. So my reliance was on the court of law itself and, of course when I met with the board in November to have a discussion on this-the understanding that I was given leaving that meeting was that the facts are common, in terms of the process with regards to the appointment of the board and that we should endevour to conclude the self review process.
Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela has defended his recent decision to place the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) under administration. pic.twitter.com/xrqRuZOsPd
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 29, 2026
Manamela has assured MPs that allocations to students will not be affected by his decision to place the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme under administration.
Manamela as well as board members appeared before Parliament’s portfolio committee to clear details around his decision.
He says the decision was aimed at improving governance systems.
Manamela is said to have called board members to a meeting where their phones were confiscated and instructed to appoint a CEO of his choice. He repeatedly told MP’s that he did not instruct any board member to act outside of their fiduciary duties.
Manamela elaborates on the student allowances. “I think we can confirm that the student allowances will not be affected. So, that is the transport and tuition and all of the allowances that are due to students. And secondly, that the process for the applications for the academic year 2027 will also not be affected; that process will have to proceed quite smoothly.”
