By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Interim chairperson Dr Mugwena Maluleke has resigned on Monday, citing personal and academic commitments.
Board member Karabo Mohale has also resigned, having chaired the human resources and organisational development committee.
Mohale flagged challenges, including the need for organisational redesign, stronger executive capacity, and improved governance systems.
The ministry confirmed the resignations, which have reduced the number of voting members, impacting the board’s legal standing.
Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela said, that he has accepted both resignations in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“The minister has received and accepted a number of recent resignations from the NSFAS board, including that of interim chairperson Dr Mugwena Maluleke,” read the statement.
“All operational processes, including the disbursement of student funding, remain in place and are being closely monitored to ensure continuity and stability,” Manamela said.
The minister has further reiterated that NSFAS remains a critical instrument of government policy, central to expanding access to higher education and training for poor and working-class students, and that its stability is of paramount importance.
Meanwhile NSFAS paid out R621 million in allowances to 203,653 TVET students, meeting its 17 April 2026 commitment.
In a statement, NSFAS said 12,000 students were excluded from this payment cycle after routine checks found data mismatches between colleges and NSFAS systems.