Workers’, students’ ire at inept head
CHIEF executive of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has refused to resign, ignoring an ultimatum issued by a workers’ union and the biggest student formation, who said they had lost confidence in his leadership.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and the SA Students’ Congress (Sasco) had given Steven Zwane until Thursday to leave or he would face protest action.
A picket outside Zwane’s office was called off after management “threatened” disciplinary action.
This week Dr Randall Carollissen was announced as the financial aid scheme’s new administrator. Carollissen, who is group executive of revenue planning at the SA Revenue Service (Sars), would take over the governance, management and administration for a year.
But with looming threats, he will have his work cut out when he starts on Tuesday.
Nehawu spokesperson Khaya Xaba said it would press ahead with pickets next week.
NSFAS said Zwane was employed by the board and it had not taken any decision to terminate his contract.
Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor urged Carollissen to prepare for the opening of the 2019 funding applications by September, after the process was put on hold due to NSFAS’S inability to deal with a backlog dating back to 2017.
The new administrator is tasked with finalising the funding cycle for next year, closing decisions and disbursements from 2017 and 2018, ensuring funding is provided to universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges and providing input to effectively enforce the student-centred model approach.
Carollissen will be supported by experts in financial aid, human resources, IT, business systems and change management.