NSFAS Payment Delays Leave Free State Students Hungry and Desperate

NSFAS Payment Delays Leave Free State Students Hungry and Desperate. The academic dreams of many young South Africans are hanging by a thread as NSFAS payment delays continue to devastate students across the country. Nowhere is this crisis more evident than in the Free State, where over 1,000 students have been left without their monthly NSFAS allowances—pushing them into poverty, hunger, and hopelessness.

Students Abandoning Lectures for Survival

For students like Charles Madira, a second-year mechanical engineering student at Flavius Mareka College, the delay in funding has had life-altering consequences. Instead of attending lectures, Madira now roams the neighbourhoods of Astro looking for gardening work just to afford a loaf of bread.

“I haven’t eaten properly in days. Sometimes, I get lucky and earn R200, which I use to buy the basics. But it’s not sustainable,” says Madira.

Madira, who is originally from Limpopo, lives in a commune with several other struggling students. He relies solely on NSFAS to cover his tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. His grandmother’s government grant already supports his sibling and barely stretches to essentials.

Opening his cupboard reveals nothing but a packet of salt. The communal fridge is empty, a sobering symbol of the silent suffering that Free State students endure.

Mass Protests and Disruptions in Sasolburg and Beyond

This ongoing crisis has triggered widespread student protests. Learners from Flavius Mareka College recently took to the streets, demanding their NSFAS payments and the settlement of outstanding student accommodation costs. In an act of solidarity, they have suspended their academic activities until their voices are heard.

At the University of the Free State’s QwaQwa campus, tensions reached boiling point last week, prompting the institution to shift classes online due to protest action. University spokesperson Lacea Loader confirmed that the university’s executive management is actively engaging with NSFAS to resolve the situation.

Landlords, Lecturers, and Locals Step In

With many students unable to pay rent, landlords are reaching their breaking points. Some, like Sipado Vena, have started paying out-of-pocket for water, electricity, and WiFi to support their tenants.

“I spend R2,500 monthly just to keep things running. Some students genuinely can’t pay, but we’ve also had cases where new students disappear once they receive their NSFAS allowance. It’s a tough call,” Vena said.

Others, however, are showing compassion. Vena, who initially evicted a first-year student from the Eastern Cape, later allowed her to stay until the end of the month. Her parents could only send R500 a month—barely enough to survive.

Meanwhile, community members have stepped in to bridge the gap. Thabang Sephula, SA Students Congress regional secretary, says that they feed around 150 students a day thanks to generous donations from lecturers, residents, and local businesses.

One such donor, businessman Letsima Tootse, delivered braai packs and maize meal after hearing about the students’ plight.

“When I heard they couldn’t even afford sanitary towels, I knew I had to help. This is more than a financial issue—it’s a humanitarian crisis,” he said.

NSFAS Acknowledges the Issue

NSFAS spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi admitted that most of the affected students had not been included in the verified institutional submissions needed for payment processing.

“We only process payments for students listed and confirmed by institutions through our NSFAS accommodation portal. If students were excluded or their eligibility not verified, payments are delayed,” Mnisi explained.

However, Flavius Mareka College campus manager Nkano Mohlaphuli confirmed that NSFAS payments and student accommodation funding are expected to be made by April 17—offering a glimmer of hope for students like Madira.

NSFAS Failing Safety Net

The NSFAS funding delays underscore a much deeper issue within South Africa’s tertiary education system. With thousands of students depending entirely on the fund to access higher education, even minor administrative oversights can have devastating ripple effects.

As South Africa continues to grapple with youth unemployment, poverty, and educational inequality, the role of NSFAS is more crucial than ever. Yet, the system appears overwhelmed, riddled with logistical hurdles that leave its most vulnerable beneficiaries in crisis.

Conclusion

The ongoing NSFAS crisis in the Free State is not just an administrative issue—it is a full-blown socio-economic emergency. Students deserve more than uncertainty and hunger. They deserve the right to pursue their education with dignity and peace of mind.