Zama Thusi      

Minister Dr Blade Nzimande, has extended the NSFAS allowances into January 2021 today.

In his briefing Nzimande made it clear that the additional allowances are for students requiring additional months to complete their academic year.

“NSFAS identified some funding to support the extended academic year, and I am pleased to indicate that additional living allowances to cover meals and personal expenses will be made available for those qualifying university students who require additional months to complete their academic year”

Nzimade made it clear that this is not a blanket support where students who have completed their academic year, they will need to wait until the 2021 academic year for their new allowances. The additional allowances given to students will be for meals and personal expenses not other things.

Luyanda Mngadi, DUT student said: “Nzimande said students who will get allowances are those who will complete their academic year next year. What about us who are writing exams for the whole month of December are we supposed to write with Hunger??? Mind you This is Second Semester we had to complete a 6 month work in 2 and half months, we’re drained already how much more without food, even if it’s not R1500 but enough to sustain students who can’t provide for themselves,” he said.

The minister explained that students staying in university owned, managed or leased accommodations will not have to pay any additional accommodation fees. For students living in private accommodations he urged universities to assist those students in negotiating with their private providers on the matter.

Philani Hadebe, DUT student expressed his frustrations about this whole NSFAS saga.

“I personally think it’s stupid, I don’t know what he was thinking when he decided not to give students allowances. I don’t think he thought it through. Well they never do. They really make bad decisions sometimes,” said Hadebe.

Well since students are getting their allowances. It’s great but we just have to think of the damage it caused knowing that as a student you will not get any money for December but you’re still going to be at school. I don’t think it was a great feeling,” said Hadebe.

Nkosingiphile Madlala, DUT student, “The sole purpose of allowances is to aid and support struggling students to be able to cater for their daily and basic needs, while academic activities of all form are underway. It is important to define the purpose of the allowances in the beginning in order to be able to pin point any mishaps in judgment. Now that the purpose has been defined, the situation at stake forces the academic calendar to be extended, thus signaling the further stay of students in and around the academic scope and campuses. Both factors, academic commencement and allowances go hand in hand.”

Photo: insideeducation.co.za