08 January 2024
Johannesburg, Braamfontein
The Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) is baffled by the ongoing NSFAS debacle. As the YCLSA we view the Financial Aid Scheme as a progressive intervention for the livelihoods of children of the working class and the poor. This is important if we are to consider the structural and social barriers that were caused in accessing education which were imposed by centuries of colonial and apartheid rule. NSFAS truly represents one of the progressive efforts by the government to dismantle the legacies of inter-generational social inequality to access post-schooling education and training. It is behind this political background that we find this situation that NSFAS finds itself in quite distasteful, to say the least.
As the YCLSA, we take serious exception to the happenings taking place in NSFAS. We are aware of some of the corrupt activities taking place such as the payments of ghost students, this is proof enough that there are corrupt activities that are taking place. However, as the YCLSA we are aware of the deliberate and orchestrated plot to isolate the successes achieved by the government and water them down with deliberate lies and misinformation such is the case with the witch-hunt report by OUTA.
The OUTA report is in our view as the YCLSA baseless and unfounded for it firstly makes glaring allegations without tangible and or verifiable evidence let alone without soliciting views from the persons in question namely Mr Ernerst Khosa and Professor Blade Nzimande, the chairperson of the NSFAS Board and the Minister of Higher Education, science and innovation.
It is our considered view as the YCLSA, that OUTA is being disingenuous for it relies on gossip to conclude that both the minister and the chairperson of the board are guilty before the merits of the allegations are tested.
We must as the YCLSA state categorically clearly that we are not in support of any corrupt activity that might be taking place either perceived or real. We stand opposed to the usage of external service providers to distribute student allowances. We are of the solid view that the state through a state bank must be afforded the responsibility to disburse the student’s allowances.
We further call on the law enforcement agencies to look into this matter on issues relating to corruption in NSFAS and should there be any wrongdoing and mismanagement of funds and or any form of corruption the said individuals must be taken to book without any fear or favor – this is irrespective of the position that one holds. In line with our ethos.
Corruption has no place in our quest as a nation to build a developmental state that enables society to truly thrive and become prosperous.
Issued by YCLSA
National Secretary- Mzwandile Thakhudi Email: mzwandilethakhudi@gmail.com
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