NSFAS under fire over board retention following two resignations

Questions are being raised about ongoing leadership instability at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) following the sudden resignation of two board members.

Interim chairperson Mugwena Maluleke and board member Karabo Mohale have both recently stepped down.

While Maluleke claims his decision to leave was driven by personal interests elsewhere, Mohale, however, cites concerns over weak governance within the scheme.

Trade union Nehawu believes persistent systemic and structural issues at NSFAS continue to force senior leaders out.

The current NSFAS board was appointed in February last year after the previous one was dissolved in 2024 due to serious operational failures.

The new board was initially chaired by Dr Karen Stander, who resigned five months ago, stating that the environment in which the board operated had become extremely toxic.

Mugwena Maluleke was subsequently appointed as acting chairperson, but has now also left the board.

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NEHAWU spokesperson, Lawzi Nkolonzi, said there is surely something that’s pushing senior NSFAS board members out.

"The current NSFAS board was appointed in February last year after the previous board was dissolved in 2024 due to serious operational failures. The new board was initially chaired by Dr Karen Stander, who resigned five months ago, stating that the environment in which the board operated had become extremely toxic. Mugwena Maluleke was subsequently appointed as acting chairperson, but he has now also announced his resignation.

Meanwhile, the Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has asked the two former board members to submit representations on the state of NSFAS's governance.