By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela has placed the National Student Financial Aid Scheme – NSFAS – under administration, citing poor governance and maladministration.
Manamela briefed the media in Pretoria on developments at the NSFAS.
The move follows the resignation of interim Chairperson Dr Mugwena Maluleke and board member Karabo Mohale.
At least seven board members have resigned since Manamela’s appointment in July 2025, including former Chairperson Dr Karen Stander, yet several former members continued appearing on official NSFAS documentation as recently as 23 April 2026.
These individuals include Dr Marcia Socikwa, Clarinda Simpson, Prashika Mahesh, and Philisiwe Sibiya.
If accurate, this raises serious concerns that NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education may have failed to accurately represent the institution’s true governance status to students, stakeholders, Parliament, and the broader public.
Manamela said the decision was taken to stabilise NSFAS.
“Governance instability within the board itself intensified. There were increasing disputes around governance processes, executive appointment processes and broader governance matters. The issue before government became much better broader than the narrow question of whether the board could technically convene meetings.”
Manamela appointed Professor Hlengani Mathebula as Administrator of NSFAS for a period of 24 months to restore stability.
Manamela said Mathebula brings extensive governance, financial and institutional leadership experience across the public and private sectors, as well as academic leadership in higher education.
His mandate will include stabilising governance structures, addressing audit failures, fixing ICT systems, improving student funding operations, resolving appeals backlogs and strengthening institutional controls.
He stressed that student funding would not be disrupted.
Manamela also raised concerns around the constitution of the NSFAS board had already surfaced when he assumed office.
He said the department subsequently sought legal advice and approached the courts through self-review proceedings to challenge the process through which the board was constituted.
Based on records as of May 2026, NSFAS has been placed under administration multiple times due to governance failures, with the following individuals previously appointed as administrators.
Sithembiso Freeman Nomvalo (April 2024 – April 2025): Appointed by Minister Blade Nzimande to stabilize NSFAS and oversee the 2024/2025 funding cycles.
Dr. Randall Carolissen (August 2018 – December 2020): Appointed by Minister Naledi Pandor to take over management following the resignation of the board chairperson and widespread protests.