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By Zintle Mahlati 
15h ago
Johannesburg – Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has appointed Andile Nongogo as the new executive director of the National Scheme for Student Financial Aid (NSFAS).
Nongogo, who previously served as CFO at Services Seta, will serve for a five-year term.
NSFAS had been under administration since August 2018, when then-president Sizwe Nxasana resigned along with the scheme’s CEO, Steven Zwane.
Former higher education minister Naledi Pandor put the plan under management and hired Dr. Randall Carolissen as administrator to fix the troubled organization trusted by millions of students.
Nzimande has also hired a 13-member board for NSFAS that will serve for a four-year term.
They are Ernest Khosa (chair), Konke Twani, Bamanye Matiwane, Jullie Beya, Cyril Madiba, Reshma Mathura, Max Fuzani, Richard Msweli, Pumela Msweli, Sanele Zondi, Lindiwe Matlali and Pretty Makukule.
The Minister thanked Carolissen for her work to change NSFAS over the past 29 months.
Carolissen’s work has not been without controversy as she was accused of employing her own relatives at NSFAS.
Some of the complaints were taken to Parliament. At a press conference, Carolissen denied it, saying that none of her family members were employed in the financial aid plan.
Nzimande defended Carolissen, saying she had done a good job and that most of the complaints against her were filed by disgruntled NSFAS employees facing disciplinary hearings.
“The state that NSFAS was in 29 months ago is very different. It is a radical change. This year, 40 billion rand will be distributed and we have done it efficiently.
“In fact, there will be people who have complaints. The portfolio committee on higher education has the right to deal with issues and those issues are treated as a labor dispute. Those who have gone there to complain are the ones facing corruption charges. They are trying to find another way to discredit the administrator, ”said the minister.
He also dismissed allegations that he participated in the appointment of his former chief of staff, Sibongile Ncwabe, as director of corporate services for NSFAS.
“I reject the idea that someone who was employed as my chief of staff should not be hired at NSFAS. Why shouldn’t people who work in ministries work anywhere else? ”Nzimande commented.
Policy Office
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