Parliament, Wednesday, 19 February 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Mr Tebogo Letsie, has welcomed the announcement of the new National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Board members by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.
The newly appointed board members bring a wealth of expertise, with each member holding a minimum qualification of a master’s degree and extensive professional experience in fields such as finance, law, engineering, governance and education.
Mr Letsie said: “We are pleased that NSFAS will now be led by individuals with the necessary expertise to navigate the financial and administrative complexities of the scheme. This is a critical step towards restoring stability and ensuring that NSFAS fulfils its mandate of supporting students in their pursuit of higher education.”
The newly appointed NSFAS Board members are:
- Dr Karen Stander – Board Chairperson
- Ms Ndileka Portia Loyilane – Board Member (Public Administration)
- Adv Richardt Tlou Ramashia – Board Member (Legal)
- Adv Lavandran Nanda Gopaul – Board Member (Legal)
- Ms Philisiwe Sibiya – Member (Accounting, CA(SA))
- Ms Clarinda Elizabeth Simpson – Member (Accounting, CA(SA))
- Ms. Prashika Mahesh – Member (Accounting, CA(SA))
- Dr Siyanda Mngadi – Member (Governance)
- Ms Karabo Mohale – Member (Governance)
- Dr Johanna Maphutha – Member (Education)
- Dr Mugwena Maluleke – Member (Education)
- Dr Marcia Socikwa – Member (DDG: University Education, DHET representative)
Mr Letsie said the committee is hopeful that the appointment of these capable men and women will bring much-needed stability to NSFAS and steer the organisation in the right direction. “Students deserve an institution that supports them financially, allowing them to focus on their studies rather than grappling with accommodation and funding challenges,” he said.
“The stability of the entity will be achieved once the board has appointed capable managers and workers at NSFAS and we encourage the board to prioritise the appointment of the executive managers at NSFAS – the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief information officer.
“We trust that the new board will prioritise the needs of students and ensure that NSFAS becomes a beacon of hope rather than a source of academic disruptions,” he added.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.
For media enquiries please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Jabulani Majozi (Mr)
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E-mail: jamajozi@parliament.gov.za
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