NSFAS News on SMU Student and Allowances
In todays latest NSFAS News – Students at Sefako Makgatho University were suspended after a protest over National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances, but the South African Union of Students has now said the situation has been resolved.
Students at Sefako Makgatho University (SMU) staged a protest at the beginning of April 2023 after discovering that about 250 of their fellow NSFAS-funded classmates had not been receiving their allowances since the start of lectures in January 2023.
These students reported making touch with NSFAS, with some even making the trip from Gauteng to the Western Cape to meet with NSFAS representatives in person.
According to student surveys, the blame game between SMU and NSFAS was a major source of tension.
South African Union for Students (SAUS) spokesperson Asive Dlanjwa said the protest was peaceful and the only violence that occurred was when students were beaten by the private security at the institution, yet SMU’s SRC President and Secretary General were suspended during the protests.
According to SAUS, student concerns at SMU have been addressed thanks to the union’s collaboration with the SRC.
All students who were previously disqualified for NSFAS grants have now been awarded funding. SAUS has recognized the actions taken by SMU administration and NSFAS to address the union’s concerns.
The suspensions of the SRC President, Secretary General, and two other students were lifted by SMU as of 10 April 2023. SAUS has spoken out against the campus’s treatment of students and the targeting of student activists.
The union has promised to keep an eye on what happens with NSFAS at SMU and other schools.
