On Wednesday, 29 May 2024 South Africans headed to polls to cast their vote in the country’s 7th general elections. For the first time since the dawn of democracy, the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a majority of the vote to govern outright.
Following the elections, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa called for a Government of National Unity (GNU). The 10 parties who have since signed up to the GNU include the ANC, DA, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, GOOD, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Vryheidsfront Plus, United Democratic Movement, Rise Mzansi and Al Jama-ah.
All of these parties have policy positions and negotiation and compromise on these policies may be on the cards.
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president, Collen Malatji, has declared the party's firm opposition to reforming the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) into a tiered bursary and loan system. This system, proposed by the Democratic Alliance (DA), aims to provide funding to students along a tiered system.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans (introduced in 2024) to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. This includes money for tuition and registration fees as well as several allowances for food, accommodation and learning materials.
The DA’s NSFAS Plans
The DA’s proposed funding model focuses on a tiered system of loans and grants to support low-income students. The model aims for sustainability by offering government loans with favourable repayment terms, which will be repaid later, thereby replenishing funds for future students.
The DA’s proposed funding model includes proportional assistance for the “Missing Middle,” targeting students who can afford to pay part of their expenses. This approach aims to bridge the gap between fully funded and self-funded students, ensuring broader access to higher education.
Another key element is the combination of loans with scholarships for outstanding students. These scholarships are non-repayable, providing direct financial support to high-achieving individuals and encouraging academic excellence.
The model also considers converting loans into bursaries based on academic performance. This incentivises students to maintain high academic standards, as their financial burden could be reduced through strong performance.
Additionally, the DA emphasises that higher education should not be free for those who can afford to pay tuition. This ensures that resources are allocated to those in greater need, promoting a fairer distribution of funding.
Finally, the DA proposes scrapping the blanket accommodation cap. This change aims to address the varied housing needs of students, allowing for more flexible and realistic accommodation funding.
Additionally, the DA plans to collaborate with the private sector to enhance access to funding through bank loans and sponsored scholarships.
ANCYL Opposed To Tiered NSFAS System
Malatji emphasised that the ANCYL would not compromise on policies essential to the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). The ANCYL insists that the tiered reform proposal will not be implemented under their watch.
A proposal to reform NSFAS into a tiered bursary and loan system, will not happen under our watch.
While willing to collaborate with other parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), the ANCYL will resist any policies that undermine democracy or the NDR.
