Nsfas
Govt is using Sibongile Mani as a scapegoat - Student union
In February, Mani went on a shopping spree when R14 million from NSFAS was mistakenly paid into her bank account in 2017.
Sibongile Mani was found guilty of theft by the East London Regional Court last month after she spent over R800,000 of the money that she received from NSFAS.
Management says the student finance scheme faces a number of challenges, like its administrative budget, that didn't match the growth of the organisation.
Three months into the year and some NSFAS-funded students have yet to receive their money.
Sibongile Mani has been found guilty of theft by the East London Regional Court on Monday after she spent R818,000 of the money that she had received in error.
The former student activist spent the money on various items - including alcohol, cigarettes, electrical appliances, bedding, toys, and gift cards.
The extension is for students who could not apply for funding for the 2021 academic year.
The Miss Gauteng Exclusive Foundation will be organising a picnic to raise funds for the students who have been financially excluded.
Answering questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Minister Blade Nzimande said the new NSFAS guideline was to encourage students to aim higher and finish their qualifications in record time.
Nsfas has dismissed reports that it has decided to increase the pass mark for students to continue receiving money.
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande on Thursday marked the launch of the 2022 NSFAS applications.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande announced the opening of National Student Financial Aid Scheme applications for the 2022 academic year on 28 October 2021. Nzimande also said that funding to public universities and TVET colleges had increased from R20 billion in 2018 to R42 billion in 2021.
One of the financial aid scheme’s policies is denying tens of thousands of students funding in their final year of study, forcing them to drop out.
She was accused of stealing after she spent R800,000 of the money. The accounting student was entitled to receive R1,400.
A total of 41% of all students surveyed between the ages of 18 and 35 years old were not able to buy food during hard lockdown last year.
Students have been protesting over financial exclusion, lack of NSFAS funding and transport allowance among other issues.
Student leaders say they will begin the process of allocating the funds to qualifying students from Tuesday.
Manamela addressed a range of issues as part of a panel discussion on free higher education in South Africa.
However, with the national shutdown in place across the country, acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka said their priority, for now, was getting students back in class.