Students accuse NSFAS leadership of ‘acting’ crisis, call for permanent executives

The South African Union of Students (Saus) has criticised the prevalence of acting appointments at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), saying the practice contributes to instability and harms students.

Students reject reliance on acting appointments

Saus, which represents the student body, said the use of acting leaders across key posts has created an “unacceptable situation” for the institution. The union urged the reinstated Nsfas board to prioritise the immediate appointment of a permanent chief executive officer and to fill other vacant executive roles.

Calls for permanent, accountable leadership

In a statement, Saus said the instability has “caused significant suffering for students” and warned that keeping leaders in acting capacities is not a sustainable solution. The union said:

“If the minister of higher education and the Nsfas board are genuinely committed to restoring stability, then this stability must go beyond merely keeping the institution operational amid one crisis after another. It must involve establishing permanent, competent and accountable leadership that can make decisions and be held responsible for their execution.”

Vacant and acting executive positions

Saus noted that “Currently, Nsfas has no permanent chief executive officer, no permanent chief financial officer, and no permanent human resources executive.” The union said these posts are either filled on an acting basis or left vacant, which it described as unacceptable for a key public institution.

Board turmoil and student demands

The union pointed to recent mass resignations from the Nsfas board, which the source says have since been reinstated. Saus demanded a “clear, transparent and urgent process to appoint permanent executive leadership.”

Summing up its position, Saus said:

“Nsfas cannot continue to be a movie where everybody is acting. It is time for permanent leadership, permanent accountability and institutional stability.”

This report is based on statements published by Saus and reporting on Nsfas governance as provided in the source material.