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Parliament, Wednesday, 18 September 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Mr Tebogo Letsie, welcomes the proposed plans by the Minister of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to terminate the rental agreement of the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) headquarters in Cape Town.
The NSFAS headquarters in Cape Town has always been a sore point for the committee since moving from its previous leased building in Wynberg to the Cape Town city centre. While many students suffered in terms of funding, getting their allowances on time and accommodation challenges, the entity enjoyed a building with scenic views at whopping R2.5 million a month.
The committee has always lambasted the decision by NSFAS to move its headquarters to a place where most of its clients do not have access to their services.
Mr Letsie said: “The planned termination of this insane lease agreement is long overdue and is a positive step towards addressing decades of mismanagement of student affairs by NSFAS. NSFAS budget is bigger than many national departments and we have always maintained that the offices of NSFAS must be in Gauteng where we have the highest concentration of the student population.”
He added: “Ultimately, the committee would like to see the decentralization of NSFAS to all regions which will ensure accessibility to students across the country added Mr Letsie.”
The committee also welcomes the new NSFAS 2025 online applications intake opening this Friday, 20 September by the DHET to allow for extensive consultations with institutions, stakeholders and student formations.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.
For media enquiries please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Jabulani Majozi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 083 358 5224
E-mail: jamajozi@parliament.gov.za
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