Dear Portfolio Committee on Higher Education,
I was funded by NSFAS as from 2021 to 2022. In 2023 NSFAS delayed to confirm my continued funding as I met the eligibility criteria for continued funding. As a result of pressure from the North West University I cancelled my provisional registration because I was not going to be able to pay my tuition fees for the if NSFAS has not finalised my funding issue on the 17th of March 2023. In such a situation, North West University is obliged to have informed NSFAS of my cancellation. Apparently NSFAS made payment for my study fees in 2023 after I had already cancelled my registration. As per policy, the university was supposed to return the funds paid by NSFAS as I was no longer registered. In 2024 I reapplied to complete my studies and I was again admitted. I was allowed to register but on the 23rd of May 2024 I was informed by Mr Danie Hefer, the bursaries manager of North West University that NSFAS has withdrawn my funding because they did not receive my academic results for 2023. I complained and Mr Anele Khabingesi intervened and directed NSFAS to correct the situation. One Ms Aqeelah Moos from NSFAS was appointed to investigate. North West University confirmed that they did not inform NSFAS of my cancellation of registration in 2023, they also admitted that they failed to return the money meant for my funding in 2023 and they deliberately committed to clarify to NSFAS that there was no way that I could be expected to have results for 2023 because I did not study. Mr Danie Hefer informed me that they had used the money that was meant for 2023 to have me registered in 2024. An agreement was reached between NSFAS and North West University that the institution was going to pay back the money that was supposed to be returned in 2024. After such payment has been made, Ms Aqeelah Moos undertook that their finance was working on the matter in order for them to pay for my funding for 2024. That was the of their engagement with me on the issue and Ms Aqeelah Moos ignored all my emails seeking clarity about the payment for 2024. In October of 2024 I was forced to cancel my registration just weeks before the final exams as I was evicted by the private accommodation landlord. Some anonymous donor intervened after some of my fellow students became aware of my situation and organised alternative accommodation for me and provided groceries so that I may be able to write my exams. I succeed to obtain a 70 percent course credit pass rate that kept me eligible for funding. In 2025 I was denied access to register by the university because of the outstanding debt resulting from the fees that NSFAS did not settle after the investigation into the 2023 saga. I was not able to register in 2025 and 2026 despite the fact that NSFAS confirmed my eligibility for funding. Instead the university handed over my account to debt collectors thus further causing me harm by adversely affecting my credit worthiness. I recently applied for admission for 2027 in order that I may complete my final year of studying towards my qualification but their system blocks me from doing so.
I request your intervention in this matter so that my future and efforts to improve my living conditions are not so cruelly destroyed.