The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will be hosting roadshows across the country to engage directly with the landlords affected by outstanding payments of student accommodation allowances.

NSFAS Administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, said that in response to accommodation providers’ concerns, NSFAS has in the past two months processed bulk catch up payments of accommodation allowances for all legitimate claims.

Nomvalo said that as at 31 July 2024, NSFAS disbursements for private student accommodation had reached R1 billion.

However, Nomvalo acknowledged that there are some landlords who still remain aggrieved.

The important issue to be addressed now is to ensure that all payments are done on time as this is the main remaining ‘pain point for accommodation providers.’

The Administrator announced that the roadshows will kick off in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday, 07 August 2024.

‘I will be taking all critical functions responsible for student data and private student accommodation. I have also extende
d invitations to our colleagues at universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, to ensure we all work together in resolving these challenges experienced by our beneficiaries and the landlords,’ Nomvalo said.

In response to the challenges and stabilising the organisation, Nomvalo highlighted some of the projects that have been launched, including the Organisational Re-engineering and Re-alignment Project; ICT and Business Processing Review Project; making NSFAS accessible to students and stakeholders; and planning for 2025 and beyond.

‘The conclusion of Organisational Re-engineering and Re-alignment Project will result into a new resource allocation model fit for the purpose and function of the size and shape of NSFAS. It will also provide a greater alignment of functions to improve the efficiency of NSFAS.

‘The conclusion of the ICT and Business Processing Review Project will deliver a more efficient ICT system that provides for a seamless interface and data sharing between N
SFAS and its key stakeholders including universities and TVET’s. The newly envisaged system is also intended to improve the management of applications for bursaries, loans, and appeals,’ Nomvalo said.

He said a feasibility study is intended to consider various regionalisation models and cost implications looking at the location of beneficiaries.

‘The appointed team will also be engaging with the PSET (Post School Education and Training) stakeholders to determine the most feasible model. The intention is to make NSFAS more accessible and responsive to its stakeholders,’ Nomvalo said.

Alleged procurement irregularities

The Administrator announced that NSFAS is following up on various alleged procurement irregularities, including the direct payment mechanism.

Nomvalo acknowledged the support provided by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) regarding this issue.

‘To address capacity challenges in the Procurement Unit, I am currently engaged with the National Treasury with the intention of drawing in a secon
dment from Treasury for the period of six months to also help us with the review of SCM (Supply chain management) policies, as well as procurement processes at NSFAS,’ Nomvalo said.

Fruitless and wasteful expenditure registers

The Administrator further announced that the scheme has put measures in place for the 2024/25 financial year, to implement the irregular expenditure and fruitless and wasteful expenditure registers.

‘We will also implement the non-compliance register. These registers will not only ensure compliance with the PFMA (Public Finance Management Act) but will also enhance transparency on the use of public resources by NSFAS,’ Nomvalo said.

Source: South African Government News Agency