Portrait of Cyril Ramaphosa
Politician · organisation
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Cyril Ramaphosa on NSFAS

Expands access to funding (strong)

TL;DR

Cyril Ramaphosa strongly supports NSFAS as a vital mechanism for expanding higher education access for the poor and working class.

Key Points

  • He stated that NSFAS is supporting over 800,000 university and TVET college students in the 2025/2026 budget period.

  • His administration directed the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in August 2022 to investigate corruption and maladministration within NSFAS.

  • The President noted that NSFAS funding nearly doubled from R27 billion to over R50 billion between 2019 and 2024.

Summary

The President, Cyril Ramaphosa, views the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) as central to the government's fight against poverty by ensuring education access. He has emphasized that through NSFAS, the government is expanding opportunities for students from poor and working-class families at both universities and TVET colleges. This commitment is evidenced by the significant increase in the number of students supported, with hundreds of thousands funded annually to cover tuition, accommodation, and allowances.

His administration has also pointed to the increased funding disbursed by the scheme over the years as a tangible measure of democratic government success and transformation. Furthermore, the President's administration has directed action regarding governance and integrity within the entity, notably authorizing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe allegations of corruption and maladministration within NSFAS operations. This dual focus signals a commitment to both expanding access and ensuring the scheme's accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cyril Ramaphosa maintains a strong, positive position on NSFAS, viewing it as an essential vehicle for transformation. He sees the scheme as crucial for expanding access to higher education for students from poor and working-class backgrounds.

There is no public indication that Cyril Ramaphosa has significantly changed his fundamental stance supporting NSFAS as a tool for expanding education access. His administration has consistently promoted its role in youth development.

The President highlighted significant growth in the funding provided by NSFAS during his tenure. He noted that funding nearly doubled over a five-year period, supporting over 800,000 students recently.