National_Student_Financial_Aid_Scheme Placed Under Administration

Buti Manamela, the Minister of Higher Education, has placed the South Africa — National Student Financial Aid Scheme (South Africa — National Student Financial Aid Scheme) under administration due to severe governance instability, audit failures, and operational breakdowns. This decision, made under sections 17A to 17D of the South Africa — National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act, 1999, follows a prolonged period of unsuccessful intervention attempts and assessments. The issues include a disclaimer audit outcome for the 2024/25 financial year, material irregularities flagged by the South Africa — Auditor-General (South Africa), weak consequence management, data integrity concerns, unresolved student appeals, and delays in ICT modernization. Hlengani Mathebula, a former executive at the South Africa — South African Police Service and South Africa — South African Police Service, has been appointed as the administrator. His mandate includes stabilizing governance, addressing audit failures, fixing ICT systems, improving student funding operations, and resolving appeals backlogs. Buti Manamela emphasized that student funding and allowances will continue without disruption, aiming to restore the institution's credibility and ensure its mandate to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa.