• A new board of directors has been named by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.
• The board brings with them a wealth of qualifications and expertise, both of which are needed to turn the organisation around.
• This group has the goal of championing efficiency, accountability and transparency within NSFAS.

The embattled National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has a new group of board members as announced by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.

Installing a new board of directors has taken quite some time although we should be lucky to have one at all. Former Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande dissolved the board last year citing, “concerns and unhappiness with the outgone NSFAS Board, about the inability of NSFAS to carry out and implement some of the most basic responsibilities allocated to it.”

The new board is said to signal “a firm stance on governance reforms within NSFAS and sets a precedent for accountability in state-funded institutions” the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) said in a statement.

While that may be true, without oversight this new board could be just as prone to failure as the last board. In fact, the organisation is still plagued by issues especially as regards accommodation. This week reports surfaced that landlords at accommodation used by NSFAS students were demanding sex in return for accommodation.

The incoming board then, is arriving at the scene of a building on fire and the mission to right the ship has never been tougher.

The incoming board members are:

• Board Chairperson – Dr Karen Stander,
• Board Member (Public Administration) – Ndileka Portia Loyilane,
• Board Member (Legal) – Adv Richardt Tlou Ramashia,
• Board Member (Legal) – Adv. Lavandran Nanda Gopaul,
• Board Member (Accounting) – Philisiwe Sibiya,
• Board Member (Accounting) – Clarinda Elizabeth Simpson,
• Board Member (Accounting) – Prashika Mahesh,
• Board Member (Governance) – Dr Siyanda Mngadi,
• Board Member (Governance – Karabo Mohale,
• Board Member (Education) – Dr Johanna Maphutha,
• Board Member (Education) – Dr Mugwena Maluleke,
• DHET Representative – Dr Marcia Socikwa.

Glancing at the bona fides of this board, the members are highly educated and bring with them a wealth of experience. With that having been said, the challenges that face NSFAS are deep and permeate throughout the organisation so change is going to be a long, arduous process, unlikely to happen overnight.

The hope is that this group drives efficiency, accountability and transparency within this incredibly necessary student financial aid mechanism.

“These appointments mark a significant step in strengthening NSFAS as an institution that upholds integrity, accountability, and efficiency in delivering financial aid to deserving students. The Minister remains committed to ensuring that NSFAS fulfils its mandate of making higher education more accessible to South Africans,” the DHET said.

Here’s hoping this is the start of a much needed turn around at NSFAS.