By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has formally acknowledged the resignation of Dr Karen Stander as chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Board, following allegations of racism, bullying, intimidation, and threats to her personal safety.
In a statement issued on Monday, Manamela said he was deeply concerned by the gravity of the issues raised and would meet with Stander later in the day to discuss the matter directly.
“These matters warrant serious attention, and I will engage thoroughly before determining the necessary course of action. 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,” Manamela said.
A previously scheduled meeting with the full NSFAS board is expected to proceed on Wednesday, where the minister will engage on issues of governance, accountability, and organisational culture.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to supporting NSFAS in delivering on its core mandate — providing financial assistance to deserving students while ensuring that public resources are managed with integrity.
Stander’s resignation letter, addressed to Manamela and leaked to News24, reportedly paints a disturbing picture of dysfunction within NSFAS’s highest structures.
She described the working environment as increasingly toxic, alleging bullying, intimidation, racism and hostility among board members.
“These conditions have made it impossible to continue discharging my duties effectively and in good conscience,” she said.
She claimed that the hostility had extended into her personal life.
“In recent months, this hostility has also extended beyond the professional realm, creating a real and present danger to the safety and well-being of my family.”
Appointed earlier this year by former minister Nobuhle Nkabane, Stander described her departure not as an act of defiance, but one of conscience.
“The concerns I raised during my tenure were never personal nor directed at any individual. They were strictly governance-related observations made in good faith,” she said.
Stander added that her communications with the department were aimed at strengthening oversight and accountability, not discrediting colleagues.
Her resignation comes amid ongoing turbulence at NSFAS, which has been plagued by governance crises, administrative instability and student protests over delayed payments.
Stander herself has previously been outspoken about systemic weaknesses within the organisation.
In September, she warned that NSFAS’s information and communications technology systems were severely flawed and posed significant cybersecurity risks, noting that the systems were misaligned with operational needs and lacked integration.
She also pointed to leadership instability spanning nearly a decade, describing it as a key factor behind organisational dysfunction and reputational damage.
In her letter, Stander allegedly expressed hope that her resignation might allow the board to stabilise under new leadership better suited to its internal dynamics.
She also commended the acting CEO and senior department officials for their professionalism under difficult circumstances, and expressed appreciation for their support.
Manamela’s office confirmed that further communication would follow after his meetings with both Stander and the NSFAS board later this week.
Inside Education reached out to Stander, who refused to comment on the matter at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Tebogo Letsie, expressed shock at the resignation of Stander.
He said while he respected her decision, he acknowledged the concerns she raised in her resignation letter, particularly regarding the governance environment within the institution.
“The committee appreciates her service and the commitment she demonstrated in steering NSFAS through a challenging period marked by the implementation of critical reforms to strengthen accountability and efficiency. We are saddened that this has happened so soon — this board was only constituted earlier this year, with Dr Stander entrusted to lead it. Her concerns should be taken seriously,” said Letsie.
He added that Dr Stander’s reflections underscored the urgent need for stability and effective governance at NSFAS to ensure it continues fulfilling its mandate of providing equitable access to higher education for deserving students.
“The committee will engage the Department of Higher Education and Training and the remaining NSFAS board members to understand the implications of this resignation and the measures being put in place to ensure continuity and institutional stability,” Letsie said.
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