By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Learners currently enrolled in a National Skills Fund-funded aviation training programme are being required to temporarily return home after Flyfofa Aviation Training suspended training amid unresolved contractual and funding matters.
The NSF said on Sunday that concerns over the verification of training progress, supporting documentation for expenditure and compliance with the conditions of its funding agreement with Flyfofa had materially affected the continued implementation of the project.
“The NSF wishes to assure all affected learners and their families that it remains committed to supporting the successful completion of the learners’ aviation training and qualifications,” the fund said.
“At the same time, the NSF has a legal and fiduciary responsibility to ensure that public funds are managed responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable legislation, financial regulations, and the terms of the funding agreement.”
In 2024, the NSF approved funding for an aviation training programme intended to benefit 390 learners over a 31-month period.
The NSF previously said R148 million had been approved for the Flyfofa programme, which covers Private Pilot Licence training, advanced pilot hour building, drone pilot and cabin crew training.
The 390 figure refers to the number of learners the programme was intended to benefit over its full duration.
“Since implementation commenced in early 2025, the NSF has undertaken ongoing monitoring and verification of the programme, as required for all projects funded from public resources,” the NSF said.
“During this process, a number of material concerns and discrepancies were identified relating to project implementation, accreditation and aviation approval, reporting, expenditure, and the verification of certain training milestones.”
The NSF said it subsequently engaged Flyfofa on several occasions and requested explanations, supporting documentation and evidence to address the concerns.
It said the matters required careful assessment and due diligence, particularly where they related to the expenditure of public funds and whether payments could be supported by verified deliverables.
The NSF said concerns regarding the verification of training progress, supporting documentation for expenditure and compliance with the conditions of the funding agreement had materially affected the continued implementation of the project.
“The NSF wishes to clarify that the disruption of training did not result from a decision by the NSF to abandon learners or cancel their future training opportunities,” the NSF said.
“Flyfofa halted training during August 2026 amid unresolved contractual and funding matters, including requests that require further consideration through the appropriate governance processes.”
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NSF Melissa Erra said the fund could not approve additional financial commitments or variations outside established procedures simply to speed up a decision.
“The NSF cannot approve additional financial commitments or variations outside established procedures simply to expedite a decision. Any such request must be properly assessed and subjected to the necessary governance and approval processes and the NSF has undertaken this with urgency to ensure student protection,” Erra said.
The NSF expressed regret over the distress and uncertainty caused to learners and their parents, particularly regarding accommodation and the continuation of their studies.
It said it had intervened after learners faced an immediate risk of eviction from accommodation provided through a third party appointed by Flyfofa.
The fund engaged relevant parties to prevent the immediate eviction of learners during August while internal processes relating to outstanding training matters were being addressed by Flyfofa.
Following Flyfofa’s continued suspension of training, the NSF said currently enrolled learners were required to return home temporarily while remedial and governance processes were undertaken and outstanding matters affecting the programme were resolved.
The fund said aviation industry requirements needed to be in place so that students could train safely and build flight hours.
The NSF has appointed an aviation expert to assess the programme’s progress to date and its suitability for the continuation of pilot training.
It said continuing to spend public funds on activities not linked to active and verifiable training would raise serious financial and governance concerns.
The NSF said it had a responsibility to prevent unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
“The decision to direct learners to vacate the accommodation by or before end of August 2026 is therefore intended to preserve available funding for the learners’ actual training and eventual completion of the programme.”
The NSF confirmed that learners had received their stipends up to the end of July 2026.
“Returning home temporarily does not mean that the NSF is withdrawing its commitment to their training. On the contrary, our priority remains to find a lawful, sustainable and financially responsible way of ensuring that learners are able to complete the training for which funding was originally approved in a manner that is compliant to the aviation sector standards for their safety and licences,” Erra said.
The NSF said it was continuing processes aimed at resolving the matters affecting the Flyfofa programme within the next 30 days.
These include considering outstanding contractual and compliance issues, verifying information and engaging relevant stakeholders to determine the most appropriate way forward.
The NSF said the outcome of the process and the programme’s readiness to resume training would be communicated to learners and other stakeholders once approved by its Accounting Authority.
“Any future decisions will be guided by the need to protect the interests and future of learners while ensuring full compliance with the NSF’s governance and financial management obligations,” the NSF said.
Flyfofa did not respond to requests for comment from Inside Education.
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