By Thapelo Molefe
Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has appointed Dr Mugwena Maluleke as the Acting Chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Board, effective from Monday this week.
The appointment follows the resignation of Karen Stander, who stepped down after citing racism, bullying, intimidation, and safety concerns.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Higher Education and Training said the appointment ensures continuity and stability as the minister proceeds with a self-review court application to regularise the board’s appointment process.
The self-review, lodged in the High Court, was initiated after legal advice indicated procedural shortcomings in how the current NSFAS board was appointed earlier this year.
The minister said the review was a proactive measure to “uphold good governance and transparency in public appointments,” and not a response to any legal challenge.
“The functioning of NSFAS is not affected by the review process. Students can be assured that services are continuing. Applications for 2026 NSFAS funding remain open until 15 November 2025. I encourage all eligible students to apply now,” Manamela said.
The department emphasised that the board remains fully functional and that its operations, including student funding disbursements and application processing, will continue without disruption.
Maluleke currently serves as Vice President of Education International and General Secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU). He is also a former council member of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and the Human Resource Development Council.
His extensive leadership experience, both domestically and internationally, is expected to help guide NSFAS through a critical transitional phase.
The ministry said Maluleke’s leadership “will help uphold governance standards, reinforce public trust, and strengthen oversight within the institution”.
Maluleke’s appointment comes at a challenging time for NSFAS. The entity has faced months of governance instability, student protests, and public criticism over delayed payments and administrative inefficiencies.
Stander’s resignation last week added to the turmoil, coming just months after she was appointed by former minister Nobuhle Nkabane.
In her resignation letter, Stander described NSFAS as being gripped by a “toxic working environment” marked by bullying, intimidation, and racial hostility. She said these conditions had made it impossible for her to discharge her duties “effectively and in good conscience”.
Stander also warned of systemic weaknesses within NSFAS, including flawed ICT systems, poor integration between operational functions, and leadership instability that has “plagued the organisation for nearly a decade”.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, chaired by Tebogo Letsie, expressed concern over the circumstances of her resignation, describing it as “deeply unfortunate” given the board’s recent reconstitution.
Letsie said the committee would engage both the department and remaining board members to ensure stability and accountability going forward.
Manamela, who met with Stander last week, said the ministry was taking her concerns seriously and reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability within NSFAS.
“These matters warrant serious attention,” he said at the time.
“NSFAS plays a vital role in expanding access to higher education, and we must ensure that it operates in a manner that is ethical, transparent, and accountable.”
The minister has said that he will not oppose any legal action arising from the self-review process and will abide by the court’s decision.
Manamela congratulated Maluleke on his appointment and wished him success in steering the board through its transitional phase.
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