Higher Education Minister Manamela has defended his decision to dissolve the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), insisting that the move was necessary because the board was not compliant with the law.
The minister faced tough questions from members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Friday, where lawmakers scrutinised both the decision to dissolve the board and the circumstances surrounding a controversial meeting he held with board members.
Despite criticism from some committee members, Manamela maintained that his actions were guided by legal advice and were aimed at addressing governance concerns within NSFAS, the state entity responsible for funding thousands of students across South Africa.
The issue has sparked significant debate within the higher education sector, with some stakeholders questioning the timing of the board’s dissolution and whether it could affect important administrative processes, including the appointment of a new NSFAS chief executive officer.
Manamela Rejects Claims of Political Interference
One of the central concerns raised during the parliamentary meeting was whether the dissolution of the NSFAS board was politically motivated or intended to influence the appointment of the organisation’s next CEO.
However, Manamela firmly rejected those allegations, arguing that the decision was based solely on legal and governance considerations.
The minister said suggestions that political motives played a role were inaccurate and failed to take into account the legal advice his department had received regarding the board’s composition.
According to Manamela, legal experts concluded that the NSFAS board did not meet the requirements outlined in the NSFAS Act, making intervention necessary.
He stressed that the decision was not aimed at interfering with the organisation’s operations but rather ensuring that NSFAS functions within the legal framework established by legislation.
The controversy has nevertheless intensified scrutiny of the department’s handling of governance issues within one of South Africa’s most important educational institutions.
Another major issue discussed during the committee session was an unplanned meeting between Manamela and NSFAS board members.
Lawmakers questioned why the meeting was not formally recorded and sought clarity on allegations surrounding what transpired during the gathering.
Committee member Sihle Lonzi raised concerns about claims that board members were required to hand over their cell phones during the meeting.
“When that meeting happened, there’s also an allegation that you confiscated the cell phones of the board members that were there,” Lonzi said during the proceedings.
The allegation immediately drew attention, as lawmakers sought explanations regarding the purpose and conduct of the meeting.
Manamela did not deny that the cell phones were collected or that the meeting took place. However, he maintained that the focus should remain on the governance challenges facing NSFAS rather than speculation surrounding the gathering.
The issue has since become one of the most debated aspects of the parliamentary inquiry, with opposition members calling for greater transparency.
In defending his decision, Manamela repeatedly referred to a legal opinion obtained by his department.
According to the minister, the legal assessment found that the board’s composition failed to comply with Section 5 of the NSFAS Act.
“They concluded that the board’s composition did not comply with section 5 of the NSFAS Act. Three student-nominated seats were not filled, and also the finance minister’s nomination was not appointed,” Manamela explained.
The absence of key board members, particularly those representing students, raised concerns about whether the board could continue operating in accordance with legislative requirements.
Manamela argued that once the legal shortcomings were identified, his department had a responsibility to act.
He maintained that allowing a non-compliant board to continue operating could have exposed NSFAS to further governance challenges and legal complications.
Beyond the legal concerns surrounding the board, Manamela also revealed that his office had received a significant number of complaints from students regarding NSFAS operations.
Student funding remains a highly sensitive issue in South Africa, with thousands of young people depending on NSFAS support to access higher education opportunities.
Over the years, students have repeatedly raised concerns about delayed payments, accommodation issues, funding disputes and administrative inefficiencies.
According to Manamela, the volume of complaints reaching his office highlighted the urgent need for stronger governance and accountability within the organisation.
The minister suggested that addressing these concerns required decisive action to restore confidence in the institution and ensure that students receive the support they need.
While Manamela continues to defend his actions, the dissolution of the NSFAS board remains a contentious issue within Parliament and the higher education sector.
Critics argue that questions surrounding governance, transparency and decision-making processes still need to be fully addressed. Supporters, however, believe the minister acted appropriately based on the legal advice available to him.
As Parliament continues its oversight role, attention is likely to remain focused on how the NSFAS leadership transition unfolds and whether the organisation can improve service delivery for students.
For now, Manamela remains adamant that dissolving the board was the correct course of action, insisting that legal compliance and the interests of students had to come first.
Source- EWN
