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DASO calls on all South Africans to join forces with the DA to remove Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. The time has come for the man with a pocket full of empty promises to be held accountable for collapsing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Just last week, the DA laid criminal charges against Minister Nzimande for his role in allegedly defrauding the NSFAS through kickbacks paid to him, NSFAS board chairperson, Ernest Khosa, and the South African Communist Party (SACP). If confirmed, it would not be unexpected, as it strongly suggests the familiar pattern of corruption associated with the ANC government.

On 15 January 2024, it was D-Day for all 2023 student allowances to be paid. This did not materialise. On the same day, a DA delegation conducted an oversight at the NSFAS offices to apply immense pressure on the ailing student financial scheme. During the engagement, it was revealed that there are no concrete plans to remedy NSFAS from its sorry state.

These are only two examples of many to illustrate what a failure Minister Nzimande is. He is a man who lacks integrity and the drive to shape the future of South Africa and will forever hold a legacy of ramming NSFAS into the grave. In fact, he has no clue on how to resurrect NSFAS or he just simply doesn't care. If he did care, the shameless Minister would ensure each NSFAS student is sheltered and fed. But, they are not.

Blade’s half-cooked solutions and press conferences will continue to fall on deaf ears for as long as students do not have the capacity to chase their dreams.

Therefore, DASO is launching a petition to Fire Blade and Reform NSFAS. Click on the link and sign the petition! Show your support for a better tomorrow.

Issued by Liam Jacobs - DASO Federal Leader