Nzimande backs student aid scheme trouble-shooter

Payments ‘on time for the first time’

South Africa’s minister of higher education has defended the controversial period of administration at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, which funds studies for poor students.

Blade Nzimande insisted that NSFAS “stabilised significantly” from August 2018 onwards under the watch of Randall Carolissen, who was appointed after widespread criticism of the organisation’s implementation of a new funding system for all universities. The administrator became involved in a months-long row with MPs that culminated in an inquiry into allegations of corruption and maladministration, which he consistently denied.