Joy as funding boss quits

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has welcomed the resignation of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board chairperson Sizwe Nxasana, saying it was opposed to his appointment three years ago.

Nxasana announced his resignation on Thursday, amid increasing calls for him to step down.

Nehawu said it had been proved right in its stance against the former banking executive, accusing him of trying to increase state funding into NSFAS in order to start an alternative student funding scheme called Ikusasa Student Funding Programme (ISFP).

“The ISFP is an initiative of Nxasana meant to swallow NSFAS through a partnership with SA leading banks, namely Absa and Standard Bank,” it said, charging that he never had any intention of fixing the struggling NSFAS.

“He did not even fund-raise a single cent but operated with the funds from the department of higher education and training.”

Nxasana said the NSFAS payments system had come under extreme strain after former president Jacob Zuma announced in December that students from poor families would receive free higher education.

Nehawu said: “Him blaming the announcement of fee free education last year ... is simply lame and an attempt at cheap politics.”

Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor said she had “sadly” accepted Nxasana’s resignation and thanked him for what she called his outstanding leadership and contribution.

Earlier this week, the SA Union of Students said Nxasana had failed to turn around the fortunes of the institution, NSFAS. – ANA

Him blaming the announcement of fee free education last year ... is simply lame and an attempt at cheap politics Trade union Nehawu