{"id":34743,"date":"2025-11-12T14:26:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T12:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/?p=34743"},"modified":"2025-11-12T14:26:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T12:26:20","slug":"malulekes-appointment-as-acting-nsfas-chair-sparks-political-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/2025\/11\/12\/malulekes-appointment-as-acting-nsfas-chair-sparks-political-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"Maluleke\u2019s appointment as acting NSFAS chair sparks political backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo credit: @_Cosatu\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has come under fire for appointing Dr Mugwena Maluleke as the Acting Chairperson of the NSFAS Board.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maluleke,<\/span>\u00a0who currently serves as the General Secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers\u2019 Union (SADTU), replaces Karen Stander, who resigned citing racism, bullying, intimidation, and safety concerns.<\/p>\n

The Department says Dr <\/span>Maluleke\u2019s<\/span> appointment aims to ensure stability as the Minister seeks a court review to regularise the <\/span>board\u2019s<\/span> appointment process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It maintains that the NSFAS Board remains functional, and its core operations continue uninterrupted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Manamela says <\/span>Maluleke’s<\/span> leadership will help uphold governance standards and reinforce public trust.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused Manamela of following the footsteps of his predecessor, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>DA’s<\/span> Dr Delmaine Christians says<\/span> NSFAS requires independent financial governance, not <\/span>politically<\/span> aligned.<\/span><\/p>\n

“S<\/span>tudents and universities have already endured months of chaos, delayed allowances, and system failures. Instead of rebuilding trust, this appointment deepens the perception that NSFAS is a political playground rather than a credible funding institution<\/span>.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Christians says the party will write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education & Training for the <\/span>Minister’s<\/span> urgent appearance to account.<\/span><\/p>\n\t

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    \n\t\t\tMaluleke\u2019s appointment as acting NSFAS chair sparks political backlash<\/span>\n\t\t\tLindiwe Mpanza<\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\n

    The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Sihle Lonzi slammed the appointment, likening Mugwena to former Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In a post on X, Lonzi said,<\/span> “<\/span>When allowances and landlords <\/span>are not paid<\/span>, and\u00a0billions <\/span>are lost<\/span> to ghost students, look no further than the ANC<\/span>!”<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Buti Manamela, AKA Blade Nzimande from Temu, has appointed the new NSFAS Board Chairperson.<\/p>\n

    When allowances and landlords are not paid, and BILLIONS are lost to ghost students look no further than the ANC!<\/p>\n

    He also happens to be the GS of SADTU. We eagerly await the self-review. pic.twitter.com\/m7VlR9KcZs<\/a><\/p>\n

    \u2014 Sihle Lonzi (@SihleLonzi) November 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n