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South Africa: Auditor-General slates NSFAS for irregular expenditure

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South Africa: Auditor-General slates NSFAS for irregular expenditure

Takalani Sioga

The National Student Financial Aid scheme (NSFAS) annual report released in September showed that the student fund overpaid students by R503.4 million in the 2017/2018 financial year.

The report also shows that another R303.5 million was captured as irregular expenditure .

One of the reasons advanced by NSFAS for the overpayment is that the original estimate of student fees, based on information available to NSFAS at the time, turned out to be lower than the total disbursement required to meet the obligations of the respective students.

The student funding scheme then topped up the initial amount without first making the affected students sign new contracts which would reflect the correct amount. This resulted in the auditor-general, Kimi Makwetu, giving the financially struggling scheme a qualified audit report.

Makwetu found that the “NSFAS leadership did not exercise sufficient oversight responsibility regarding financial reporting and compliance. This includes related internal controls through ensuring that disbursements are not made above the loan and bursary agreement amounts.

“Effective systems of internal controls and the monitoring thereof were not properly implemented for the administration of student loans and bursaries.

“This led to an overspending on loan and bursary agreements in non-compliance with the NSFAS Act, resulting in material misstatement of the recorded student loans receivable balance and irregular expenditure in the financial statements,” the report stated.

Makwetu further found that NSFAS management did not prepare regular, accurate and complete performance reports that were supported by reliable schedules and source documentation.

NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo said they were contacting affected students to sign addendum contracts to reflect the correct funding the scheme had paid to them.

“We are currently engaging with students and institutions to make sure that students who received top-up money sign new contracts which reflect the additional money they received,” said Mamabolo.

Wits University chief financial officer Prakash Desai said that Wits students who are funded by NSFAS were not affected.

“Students overpayment by NSFAS is not an issue at Wits at the moment. I’m sure if NSFAS finds that there are students who need to sign addendums contracts it will engage with the university and students,” Desai added.

This year NSFAS funded 200 339 students at 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges and 260 002 students were assisted at 26 public universities at a total cost of R14. 1 billion so far.

Minister of higher education and training Naledi Pandor reported in May that the department had allocated R20.5 billion to NSFAS for the 2018/2019 financial year.

NSFAS said this year the scheme had managed to recover R512.8 million from students it had previously loaned money to. This was before former president Jacob Zuma’s announcement that changed NSFAS loans to bursaries. The funds recovered were a 30.7% increase on 2017’s R392.4 million figure.

Karen Moloisi, a third-year BSc biodiversity student, said NSFAS needed to hire competent people who knew what they were doing.

“For the past couple of years NSFAS has been losing a lot of money due to irregular expenditure. It needs to hire competent people in management who will put a stop to this,” she said.

NSFAS wouldn’t give an explanation for the irregular expenditure, save to say they had started internal processes to make sure that all transactions were recorded accordingly.
“We have strengthened our internal audit division with the aim to get unqualified audit in the 2018/2019 financial year. The current leadership is exercising sufficient oversight and making sure that we are compliant,” Mamabolo said.

In 2017 NSFAS was rocked by a scandal after it emerged that a Walter Sisulu University student had received R14 million from the scheme. Sibongile Mani went on to splurge R818 469 on luxury items for herself and her friends.

None of this was NSFAS’s fault, according to Mamabolo. “We gave the university money based on the records we had at that time and the university hired a third party to pay students their allowances every month. This happened under the watch of the third party which was responsible to pay students their allowances.”

However, when representatives of the “third party”, cash service IntelliMali, appeared before parliament in September 2017, they denied that the error emanated from their side.

News24 reported that chief executive officer Michael Ansell “told MPs their systems showed that the right transaction of R1400 was made to Mani on the date in question, and there was no ‘oversight, error or negligence’ on their part.”

Mani was charged with theft of the amount she had spent by the time the error was discovered. She has appeared in court several times this year. Her next appearance is on October 25.

Wits Vuvuzela

Senate calls for more efforts to educate historically marginalised Rwandans

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Senate calls for more efforts to educate historically marginalised Rwandans
Kelly Rwamapera

Senators have called upon the Ministry of Education and its partners to pay extra attention to the issue of children from the historically marginalised families, who, according to a study, have continued to lag behind others in education.

They made the call on Tuesday as the Minister for Education, Dr Eugene Mutimura, appeared before a senatorial committee to address the concerns identified during a field tour by the committee.

According to Consolée Uwimana, the head of the senatorial ad hoc committee set up to look into the state of historically marginalised Rwandans, many of the children from this group were found to have dropped out of school.

“Over 90 per cent of (historically marginalised) adults never went to school and their children don’t go to school because of poverty and ignorance in their families,” she said.

The committee and Minister Mutimura agreed on the need to give children from families of the historically marginalised free meals at school.

“As an immediate solution, these children will be getting free meals at school such that they’re not hungry in case they don’t get enough food at home,” Mutimura said.

Minister Mutimura also fronted the idea of using some of the educated individuals from the historically marginalised group to mobilise others to send children to school, saying that in most cases it is a mindset issue.

He said he would share the findings by the senators with fellow members of the ministerial cluster on social affairs such that they collectively come up with a clear strategy.

Senators stressed the importance of education to disentangle the historically marginalised from the vicious circle of poverty.

“Government has elevated other groups like women, youth, Muslems and refugees from marginalisation but the so-called Abatwa still lag behind, and to our observation, this is because their education has not been elevated,” said Uwimana.

In April this year, senate instituted the ad hoc committee to thoroughly look into the welfare of the historically marginalised across the country, which triggered a three-month countrywide tour by senators.

However, despite the fact that the senators found a high dropout rate among this group, Uwimana noted that some of them who went to school never bothered to look for jobs.

During the tour, she said, some bachelor’s degree holders were found practicing artisanal sand mining among others.

“We, for example, found a young graduate in social works working in artisanal sand mines in Rutsiro District and found another one carrying and selling local brew in bars in Rusizi District,” she said.

The committee also faulted local authorities for misallocating the over Rwf95 million fund that was disbursed by government towards the education of children from the families of the historically marginalised.

“A district receives annually up to Rwf5 million dedicated to this purpose but local authorities divert it to economic affairs of the group instead,” she said.

According to findings by the senators, the number of children from these families who enrol in schools has only risen from 13-25 per cent since 2007.

Some six districts, including Kicukiro, Burera and Nyamasheke have not had any child from historically marginalised people in university, have less than five in secondary schools and less than 10 in vocational and technical schools.

The committee also reported that the life expectancy for this group remains lower compared to other Rwandans mainly because of poverty.

It also said that the level of incest is high among members of this group.

The New Times

 

South Africa: Protests could disrupt matric exams

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South Africa: Protests could disrupt matric exams

Nico Gous

Despite risks identified by officials‚ parliament’s portfolio committee on basic education feels confident that schools are ready for the matric exams.

This comes after the department of basic education (DBE) and the education quality control body Umalusi briefed the committee on Tuesday.

The DBE said 796‚542 matriculants registered for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams‚ which start on October 22 and run until November 28‚ with 147 exam papers. This consists of 629‚141 full-time and 167‚401 part-time students.

New subjects this year include South African Sign Language‚ Technical Mathematics‚ Technical Sciences‚ Civil Technology‚ Electrical Technology and Mechanical Technology.

Committee chairperson Nomalungelo Gina said the DBE had identified community protests and insufficient staff as possible risks to exams.

“At this stage‚ it looks like all systems are ready and in place for the class of 2018. The committee commended the department for taking even the risks into consideration and planning around that. The system is really on the rise.”

Umalusi highlighted similar concerns in their presentation to the committee on Tuesday but said the DBE and provincial education departments are ready for the matric exams.

Read original article here.

Western Cape schools embrace transgender learners

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Western Cape schools embrace transgender learners

Christina Pitt

Western Cape schools are starting to embrace transgender learners and are encouraged to protect members of the LGBTQI community from bullying, thanks to the Department of Basic Education.

Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said that a couple of Cape Town high schools have allowed transgender learners to wear the uniforms that they are more comfortable in.

“Student Governing Bodies (SGB) are dealing with this issue on a case-by-case basis,” she said.

“So far, we have only heard from Westerford High School in Rondebosch, where transgender students are allowed to change uniforms.”

A booklet published in 2015 entitled Challenging Homophobic Bullying in Schools provides guidelines to teachers, learners and SGB members that promote an inclusive school environment.

The booklet contains definitions for words used when “talking in an affirming way about gender and sexual minorities”. These words include “intersex”, “transgender” and “coming out”.

“Given the linguistic diversity of South Africa, the language used in homophobic bullying may include some of the following terms: st*bane in isiZulu; m*ffie in Afrikaans; f*ggot and queer in English; and the term gay is also sometimes used in a derogatory way,” reads the booklet.

According to the booklet, learners who experience homophobic bullying may experience higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicide and they may remain silent about the bullying.

“This silence and invisibility are a distinctive aspect of homophobic bullying. Young people who experience homophobic bullying may:

  • Have higher levels of absenteeism and truancy and be less likely to enter higher/further education
  • Be more likely to contemplate self-harm/suicide and have low self-esteem
  • Show signs of physical ill health
  • Underachieve academically or leave school early
  • Engage in risk-taking behaviours, such as unprotected sex”

Hammond clarifies that the booklet provides guidelines for all learners who form part of the LGBTQI community.

“This is not only about transgender learners, it’s about the LGBTQI community. The booklet lists a number of anti-bullying strategies,” she said.

“No learner should be discriminated on the basis of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.”

TVET colleges key ‘to building skills’

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TVET colleges key ‘to building skills’

Virgilatte Gwangwa

 

Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor regards Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges as the new hope in South Africa, she said yesterday.

Pandor was speaking during the soft launch of the Gandhi Mandela Centre of Specialisation for Artisan Skills in South Africa at Tshwane South TVET College.

It comes three months after South Africa and India signed a memorandum of understanding to co-operate with one another in setting up the centre.

The centre is a further step in promoting quality vocational education and training for young people, as well as meeting the need for artisan skills in the country.

Officials in the education sector and technical experts gather to witness what is regarded as a milestone project.

Pandor said she regarded TVET colleges as extremely important armour in the fight against poverty. “For me, the TVET colleges are the hope in South Africa and I’m very serious about them becoming part of the critical edge of skills development in the country.

“I want to increasingly see the TVET sector becoming a confident, able and visible part of the skills institutions,” she said.

Pandor told those gathered that the intention for the centre was to build high-level competent skills in the country which would respond to the need to diversify and build the economy. “This is also to encourage young people to become involved in creating new, small- and medium-sized companies.”

Indian High Commissioner to South Africa Ruchira Kamboj said the project was named after two immortal personalities who link the two countries. “This is a project which many people have put their hearts into, and we are confident that we are headed towards a beautiful conclusion,” she said.

The multi-skilled centre of specialisation at the college will be imparted in four areas: electrician, boilermaker, mechanical fitter and millwright.

The centre is aimed at promoting quality vocational training in the sectors to meet the requirement of unskilled and semi-skilled youth in South Africa.

Last year, a survey conducted by Xpaweb showed that 75% of the country’s companies required international talent to fill positions.

Among the skills companies struggled to find necessary local candidates for were artisans, and so the Artisan Training Institute encouraged young people to enrol in colleges to acquire the skills.

 IOL

Botswana: Association grows hockey in schools

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Botswana: Association grows hockey in schools

Keswetseng Samokunda

Botswana Hockey Association (BHA) has introduced development programmes to grow the sport.

The targeted areas include Kanye, Lobatse and Jwaneng in the southern part while in the northern part, the association targeted Maun, Kasane and Francistown.

Speaking during the Maun Hockey Club schools tournament held in Maun recently, BHA president, Unaswi Matebu, said the association worked to promote, develop and facilitate hockey throughout Botswana with emphasis on participation, interaction and enjoyment from a larger base of players.

The tournament brought together public and private schools.

Matebu said BHA also provided an opportunity for skills development through sport. “Because of limited resources, we have started in Maun schools where we introduced the sport. We want to attract more students and stakeholders so that they appreciate the sport code,” she added.

Matebu noted that in Maun, they managed to attract few schools of Moremi and Botswelelo Primary School as well as Leapotswe English Medium School.

She said they wanted to start from the roots hence, engaging primary schools.

She also appreciated that young people were falling in love with the sport, something that gave them hope that the sport would grow with time.

Matebu encouraged parents to let their children decide which sport they wanted to join, adding that hockey was as good as any sport.In addition, she said, hockey was also a high paying sport like football and athletics.

Matebu said they were working around the clock to meet  requirements of affiliating to Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA), which is an affiliate of Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC), and the Confederation of Schools Sports Associations of Southern Africa (COSSASA).

BHA was formed in August 1992 and affiliated to the Botswana National Sports Council, the Botswana National Olympic Committee, the African Hockey Federation and International Hockey Federation..

Matebu said they implemented sustainable programmes that promoted development of playing facilities, provision of equipment for development and provide opportunities for players to improve their performance levels.

Bopa

South Africa: Condolences pour in for late Eastern Cape education MEC

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South Africa: Condolences pour in for late Eastern Cape education MEC

Staff Reporter

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga sent condolences to Eastern Cape Education MEC Mandla Makupula’s family on Monday.

Makhuphula died at an East London hospital in the early hours today after a long illness.

Motshekga said: “MEC Makupula was a dedicated and hard-working public representative who was committed to turning the education system around in the Eastern Cape.

“It is incredibly sad that he will not live to see the fruits of the hard work he has put in, however his legacy will live on through the education initiatives he put in place to improve the quality and efficiency of education in that province.”

Eastern Cape government spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said Makupula served the people of the Eastern Cape with integrity and ethical leadership.

“On behalf of the executive council and the entire provincial government‚ the premier (Phumulo Masualle) expresses his heartfelt condolences to friends‚ colleagues and family of the late MEC.”

Details of his funeral will be announced in due course.

Financial literacy: Don’t take credit

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Financial literacy: Don’t take credit

Capitec Bank

“Don’t take credit” – a seemingly contradictory message coming from a bank. Understanding some of the financial and societal pressures faced by consumers, Capitec Bank has launched an unconventional campaign, featuring Vusi Thembekwayo, that asks South Africans to rethink credit as part of responsibly realising their dreams.

Using credit to fund a flashy lifestyle to show that you’ve arrived won’t help you live better.  What is new today is old tomorrow and you’ll be left with the debt to pay. Rather take credit for the right reasons, such as buying a car or house. It’s the difference between good and bad credit.

What is good credit? Let’s first understand it:

To GET credit, you first have to get credit (meaning, understand it). The starting point is to appreciate the types of credit, their different roles and whether they may be appropriate for you:

The two major types of credit are:

  1. Secured Credit: this is a loan based on borrowing against an asset (a car or house, for example) that you own, which makes it less risky for the lender.
  2. Unsecured credit: this is not secured by an asset. Rather, it’s based on an assessment of the applicant’s consistent income, your banking history and credit behaviour, and ability to afford monthly instalments. In this case, your income acts as the asset.

Here are the different types of secured credit:

  • A mortgage bond: Your credit is secured by the house you’re financing
  • Home equity loan (a type of mortgage bond):  Your credit is secured by your equity in your home.
  • Line of credit: Usually a revolving line of credit (always available credit) that’s secured against your bank funds, house, etc.
  • A car loan: Your vehicle serves as your collateral for a loan.
  • Secured credit card: To get a secured credit card, you put down a cash deposit upfront which usually equates to your credit limit. If you show a good payment history, you could have this increased without adding extra backing funds.

Here are the different types of unsecured credit:

  • Always available credit: this is a revolving line of credit offered by a bank or merchant for an undetermined time. It includes credit like:
  • Credit card: Check the bank fees before you commit. Many credit cards advertise low interest rates on a negative balance, but the real cost is hidden in the fees. Opt for a credit card that lets you earn high interest returns from the first positive balance. Capitec’s credit card links to four savings accounts and lets you earn 4.85% interest per year on a positive balance.
  • Store card: Check the interest rates – store cards often charge you high interest – and look out for hidden fees.
  • Credit facility: Great for unplanned expenses or emergency situations, a credit facility immediately furnishes the applicant with funds.
  • A personal loan (also known as a signature loan): This is usually a fixed instalment loan (meaning you’ll pay a set agreed-upon amount every month) which is based on your credit profile – aka your credit score, current income and behaviour and your ability to manage credit.
  • Student loans: These loans often have grace periods, interest subsidies and flexible repayment options. But not always – sometimes the interest can be quite high. Also, only students qualify. You must prove your acceptance to an accredited tertiary institution. Someone will need to sign surety for the loan (often a parent), and in most cases repayments start once studies are completed.

Olana Bodlo is one such example, where her father could apply for a more affordable option, a low interest rate from 12.9% on a personal loan to fund her through her studies; her story can be watched here:

Once you know what credit you need, check that you’re good for it by getting hold of your latest credit report. For more info on this, check out the first article relating to Give Credit Some Credit Series. On the Capitec banking app, available on Androidand IOS, you can check what you could qualify for. Also make sure you have all the other documentation you need to apply.

Before you apply for credit, think about whether it’ll have a sustained positive outcome:

Ask yourself, are you taking good or bad credit?

If you need useful assets like a car, home improvements, self-development through education or starting a small side business. This may benefit you in the long-term.

Bad credit may bring momentary pleasure but could be financially harmful down the line.

A flashy, unaffordable car; a ‘social-media-worthy’ holiday that’ll be amazing, or a beautiful wedding that’s way beyond what you can afford will have negative consequences for your bank account for the next few years.

A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “will the item I’m using credit to buy hold its value for longer than the credit repayments?”

Rethink credit. Don’t take credit unless credit is due.

South Africa: NSFAS CEO resigns

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South Africa: NSFAS CEO resigns

Staff Reporter

The CEO of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Steven Zwane, has resigned on the first day of his disciplinary hearing.

On Friday, NSFAS said in a statement that a “termination agreement” had been reached between Zwane and his employer.

His term came to an end on October 2, the organisation said.

In August, Inside Education reported that NSFAS suspended its executive officer Steven Zwane with immediate effect. The suspension followed allegations of maladministration against Zwane.

At the time, NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo said Zwane was relieved from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation. The suspension was carried out to ensure fairness and allow the process to proceed uninhibited.
Zwane’s suspension came two weeks after Sizwe Nxasana,  NSFAS’ former chairperson resigned.

At the time, Nxasana said: “While the last few years have been extremely challenging, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to immerse myself in education and contribute to finding sustainable solutions for the higher education sector. I am passionate about helping our youth access education and want to recognise the many thousands of students whose success inspire all of us and give us hope for the future.”

He added that former president Jacob Zuma’s announcement in 2016 that government would subsidise higher education for poor and working-class students.

However, the calls for  both Nxasana and Zwane to resign were pushed by student organisations and some unions.

The South African Students’ Congress (Sasco) called on Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor to fire Zwane over “inefficiencies and lack of leadership” after NSFAS halted 2019 applications that were expected to commence on August 1 due to payment backlogs from 2017 and 2018.

In July, the National Health and Education Workers’ Union also called for Zwane’s head as well as that of Sizwe Nxasana, claiming that Zwane — a former chief operating officer at Barclays Africa — was hired illegitimately. The union accused Zwane of nepotism and demanded his resignation.

 

South Africa: Tshwane University of Technology campuses reopen

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South Africa: Tshwane University of Technology campuses reopen
Virgilatte Gwangwa
Students at both Tshwane University of Technology campuses in Soshanguve were scheduled to return to classes on Monday after six weeks of unrest.

The university announced on Friday that academic activities at the Soshanguve North and South campuses would resume today.

Management of the university had suspended academic activities at both campuses after students protested following the fatal shooting of student Katlego Monareng in August, allegedly at the hands of police.

The third-year student was killed during demonstrations that followed allegations that the SRC election at the Soshanguve North campus had been rigged. Both the killing and election rigging allegations are under investigation.

Since Monareng’s death, there had not been peace at the two campuses. Students protested, demanding justice for their comrade.

“The first week of sitting at home was fun, but as time went by it became frustrating,” she said.

Makonyana said as much as it was sad that they had lost one of their own, they had to be realistic about things and go back to school to graduate.

Lindokuhle Ndlandla shared the same sentiments and said it was about time they went back to classes.

However, the first-year education student said she was not sure there would be enough time for them to catch up before they write their final exams.

However, the university spokesperson Willa de Ruyter said faculties would arrange catch-up programmes and tests with students.

De Ruyter said violent protest action and damage to property that posed a serious risk to the safety of students and staff at both campuses had left the university no choice but to suspend activities in order to restore normality.

Students were allowed to return to residences from yesterday in order to prepare for the resumption of normal activities.

“A security contingency plan was implemented which will require students to use only designated entrances to the campuses.

“ All students will be vetted before they can access the campus and only registered students will be allowed on to campus.

“Students will have to show a valid South African ID, student card and proof of registration for the 2018 academic year,” she said.

Final examinations at other campuses – except Soshanguve North and South campuses – will commence on November 12. Detailed information about exams for Soshanguve would be communicated upon their return to classes, De Ruyter said.

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