DA in Western Cape to take on oversight role in NSFAS payments
SHARE POST:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has undertaken an oversight visit to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in Cape Town, seeking to assess its readiness for the imminent distribution of grants to a large number of students in the upcoming academic year. This move comes in the wake of a scandal involving Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and NSFAS board chairperson Ernest Khosa, who has since taken leave, as reported by SABC News.
During the visit, DA leader John Steenhuisen addressed the kickback allegations and expressed the party’s intention to petition President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss Blade Nzimande over the corruption claims surrounding NSFAS. The party asserted its commitment to acting in the best interests of students as part of an effort to combat corruption within the ANC, proposing the idea of a mass mobilization campaign across tertiary institutions nationwide.
As reported by EWN, the DA called on NSFAS to ensure the full settlement of all outstanding payments to beneficiaries following the oversight visit to NSFAS headquarters. The financial aid scheme has faced challenges in disbursing payments to students since November of the previous year.
The DA emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the distribution process, outlining plans to assess the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of NSFAS procedures. Additionally, the party put forth the idea of exploring an alternative funding model for higher education institutions.
DA’s Chantel King stated, “Our focus will be on assessing the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of NSFAS processes, ultimately aiming to enhance the support provided to students pursuing higher education.” The oversight visit reflects the party’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the financial aid system and addressing concerns surrounding corruption allegations.
However, the DA has no constitutional mechanism to exploit to achieve their aims in these regards, and with the dominance of the ANC in all institutions, and the ANC’s highly entangled and corrupt patronage networks, the DA is unlikely to see cooperation.
Independent news and opinion from the Cape of Good Hope for readers who value good old common sense. We focus on what really matters in South Africa.
Interested in joining the movement? Find ways to get involved
GET NOTIFIED FOR NEW CONTENT
read more
Muslim fashions, Islamophobia, and Minister Cassim
Cassim has recently drawn abuse on social media for the outward signs of his religion. Why him, and not others? The answer, paradoxically, is globalisation
Lvl 8 Orange storm warning for Garden Route
The cold front has triggered the second-highest storm warning category, and an already overstratched disaster budget will need to be extended
Future growth of Masi township beyond Lochiel Road in Cape Town’s deep south
Questions continue over the City’s Masi planning process as residents in Noordhoek and Kommetjie are urged to organise and push back against irresponsible governance.
Die Afrikaner kom kaap toe
An analysis of the demographic patterns of Afrikaners suggest that their numbers are strengthening not only in the Western Cape, but also somewhat in the Eastern and Northern Cape
Phil Craig | You will never vote yourself out of the NDR
The ANC’s National Democratic Revolution (NDR) has left South African communities impotent, intentionally depriving them of the ability to make decisions for themselves. Self-determination is the only antidote.
BVA proposes solutions for Tokai High School
