South Africa News

NSFAS boss Sizwe Nxasana quits job

Nxasana, who has been at the helm for three years, said students accessing financial aid after the #FeesMustFall protests have been a key highlight of his time at NSFAS. “A lot of poor students now have access to higher education and that is a welcomed development.”

This was said by Sizwe Nxasana after he resigned as the chairman of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. Nxasana said: “It was a privilege. Crafting support for these poor students after a welcome government decision was key.”

The #FeesMustFall protests saw a majority of higher learning institutions being shut through protests as students demanded free education.

Sizwe Nxasana

About 400 000 students are benefiting after the government took a decision with regard to free access to higher education, mostly for poor students.

Nxasana told Daily Sun he will continue being involved in education through his education group, and will also offer to advise to NSFAS.

He said he holds Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor in high regard and is confident she will steer NSFAS towards perfectly modelled policies.

“Leaders have to know when to step down and make way for new leaders to take over. I must emphasise that there is no crisis at NSFAS,” said Nxasana.

It is with a very heavy heart that I have resigned as chairperson and member of the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). After three years at the helm, the time is right for me to step aside. I informed the Minister of Higher Education and Training of my resignation on Monday 6 August and offered my support to ensure an orderly handover process.

It has been a privilege and honour to serve as an NSFAS board member and chairperson. NSFAS was conceived to deliver financial aid to students from poor and working-class backgrounds, and in 2018 alone financed over 400 000 students.

While the last few years have been extremely challenging, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to immerse myself in education and contribute to finding sustainable solutions for the higher education sector. I am passionate about helping our youth access education and want to recognise the many thousands of students whose success inspire all of us and give us hope for the future.

Since December 2016, the NSFAS mandate and funding obligations increased exponentially, placing extreme strain on the organisation’s systems and processes. I would like to recognise the many patriotic and committed South Africans in government, business and academia who have contributed their expertise and resources to try and make quality education accessible.

“I will continue making a contribution in my different roles and capacities to support less privileged young South Africans acquire the knowledge and skills to allow them to participate meaningfully in the economy and our nation’s life,” he said.

Source: Daily Sun

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