Cape town: Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela has confirmed that he has received and formally acknowledged the resignation letter of Dr Karen Stander as Chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Board.
According to South African Government News Agency, Dr Stander’s resignation letter contains serious allegations regarding the governance environment at NSFAS, including claims of bullying, intimidation, racism, and threats to personal safety. These allegations have prompted the Minister to schedule a meeting with Dr Stander to discuss the issues raised ‘directly and in detail’ on 3 November.
Manamela further stated that despite the resignation, a previously scheduled meeting with the entire NSFAS board will proceed as planned on 5 November 2025. This meeting aims to continue the engagement with the institution’s leadership on matters of governance, accountability, and organisational culture.
‘I am deeply concerned by the gravity of the issues raised by Dr Stander. These matters warrant serious attention, and I will engage thoroughly before determining the necessary course of action,’ Manamela said. He emphasized the importance of NSFAS in expanding access to higher education and the need for it to operate ethically, transparently, and accountably.
The Minister also reaffirmed the department’s commitment to support NSFAS in fulfilling its core mandate of serving students effectively and ensuring that public resources are managed with integrity. Further communication from the department is expected following Manamela’s engagements with Dr Stander and the full NSFAS board.