NSFAS Board Shaken by Senior Resignations, Raising Governance Concerns
Interim chair and key committee head step down as minister assesses whether board can continue to function lawfully
South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is facing renewed uncertainty after multiple senior board members resigned in late April, prompting concerns about the governance and legal standing of the student funding body at a critical point in the academic year.
The most significant departure is that of interim board chairperson Dr Mugwena Maluleke, who stepped down with effect from 27 April 2026, citing personal and academic commitments. Alongside him, Karabo Mohale, a board member who chaired the Human Resources and Organisational Development Committee, has also resigned.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) confirmed that the cumulative impact of these and earlier resignations has left NSFAS with too few remaining voting members, raising serious questions about whether the board is still able to constitute itself lawfully and discharge its statutory and fiduciary responsibilities.
In a media statement, Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela said he has accepted the resignations and has initiated formal engagements with the remaining board members to assess the governance and legal implications of the situation. Individual correspondence has been sent to board members, inviting them to make representations within a defined timeframe on possible lawful and practical options to ensure institutional stability.
Dr Maluleke’s tenure as interim chair was marked by efforts to strengthen governance at a scheme that has, over several years, faced criticism over administrative inefficiencies, delayed payments and leadership instability. Mohale, meanwhile, raised concerns about the need for organisational redesign, stronger executive capacity and improved governance systems during her time on the board.
Despite the leadership upheaval, the DHET has sought to reassure students and institutions that NSFAS operations continue uninterrupted, stressing that all core processes — including the disbursement of student funding — remain in place and are being closely monitored.
NSFAS plays a central role in South Africa’s higher education system, providing financial support to hundreds of thousands of students from poor and working‑class households. Any prolonged instability at board level is therefore likely to draw close scrutiny from Parliament, universities and student bodies, as the minister considers next steps to restore governance and confidence at the scheme.
©Higher Education Media Services.