By Thapelo Molefe

More than 100,000 students have lodged appeals against funding decisions by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the 2026 academic year.

During a media briefing on Thursday, NSFAS acting chief executive officer Waseem Carrim said the scheme has processed 101,000 appeals so far, with outcomes varying widely among applicants.

Of these, 22,000 appeals have been approved, 18,000 rejected, while 44,000 were closed, deleted or withdrawn because students failed to submit required documents or complete the process within the prescribed timeframe.

About 9,000 appeals remain pending, largely because applicants still need to provide outstanding documentation.

Carrim said students have 30 days after receiving their funding decision to submit an appeal, which can be based on academic progression issues, financial eligibility concerns, or exceptional circumstances such as medical conditions or traumatic events.

“When NSFAS communicates a funding outcome, a student has 30 days from there to open an appeal and submit any outstanding documents,” Carrim said.

He urged students with incomplete appeals to act quickly to avoid losing the opportunity to have their cases reconsidered.

According to NSFAS, 692,000 first-time entering students have been approved, alongside 550,000 continuing students who met academic progression requirements to retain their funding.

The scheme has also begun distributing funds to institutions and students, with R3.6 billion paid to universities on 2 February and another R2.8 billion disbursed on Monday to support student allowances.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have also received funding, including R680 million in upfront tuition payments and additional disbursements to students in February.

Carrim said the payments indicate improved financial management after the scheme previously faced serious challenges with delayed payments.

“We are quite pleased to say that this year we have not encountered any such challenges,” he said.

Despite the progress, Carrim warned that the student funding system remains under significant financial strain, following a R13 billion budget shortfall in 2025 that required government to reprioritise funding.

“The system does remain under severe financial pressure,” he said, noting that improved school results are leading to more students qualifying for financial aid.

Accommodation

The briefing also addressed accommodation issues affecting some students.

NSFAS said it has received 224,000 accommodation applications, with 148,000 leases already confirmed, allowing payments to landlords to begin on 13 March.

Carrim also confirmed that the scheme intervened to assist about 150 students who were struggling to secure accommodation at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) after reports that some had been sleeping outside.

While the university manages its own accommodation system, Carrim said NSFAS stepped in after being approached for assistance.

“When we became aware of students sleeping outside, there was also a minor protest at the NSFAS offices. We engaged with CPUT and asked them if they needed any support. Subsequently, the Office of the Vice Chancellor reached out to me and indicated that they did need support, placing about 150 students, which NSFAS has assisted them with,” he said.

“Yesterday, when I became aware that there are still issues with CPUT, I again reached out, and CPUT has indicated that from their perspective, they have done everything they can to help students.”

He added that the scheme had also cleared about R400 million in historical accommodation payment backlogs from 2024 and 2025.

Carrim encouraged institutions to submit registration data before the 31 March deadline to ensure that funding and allowances continue to be processed smoothly for the 2026 academic year.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Staff Reporter

The driver of a minibus taxi that overturned while transporting daycare pupils in KwaMashu, north of Durban, is on the run.

One child died in the crash on Wednesday afternoon, while 14 others were “badly injured,” according to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements.

The injured children were taken to Mahatma Ghandi Hospital.

“We are calling upon the driver, who has since disappeared, to hand himself over to the police,” MEC Siboniso Duma said on Thursday.

Police had launched an investigation into the accident, departmental spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said, and also met with the owner of the minibus, who said the driver reported the crash was caused by brake failure.

“Our Road Traffic Inspectorate is working with SAPS as part of investigating the roadworthiness of the minibus taxi,” Sibiya said.

“The traumatic experience which the children have had to endure will take many years to heal,” he said.

The crash comes as provincial governments across the country have tightened oversight of learner transport following the fatal scholar transport collision in Gauteng in January, when a minibus carrying pupils to school hit a truck near Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal area, killing 14 children. The driver of that scholar transport vehicle has since been charged with murder.

Sibiya said that the province’s health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane, was “ensuring patient quality care to the injured children”. Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka would coordinate interventions “focusing on the welfare of children and teachers”, he said.

The MEC for social development, Mbali Shinga, would deploy social workers “to provide psychosocial support services and trauma counselling to the children and families”.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Charmaine Ndlela

Obstetric and reproductive organisations have urged calm after a University of the Free State (UFS) study detected endocrine-disrupting chemicals in some menstrual products, saying the research did not establish that the products cause infertility, hormonal dysfunction or cancer.

The South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG), together with the South African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG) and the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), said the UFS study did not assess health risks and did not prove harm to consumers.

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UFS said its research, which tested sanitary pads and liners sold in South Africa for chemicals including phthalates, bisphenols and parabens, was not designed to establish a direct causal link to disease, and called for further research.

In their joint statement, the medical organisations said any implication of harm to the general public had not been proven and urged the public not to panic.

The organisations said endocrine disruptors are common and found in low concentrations in a range of foodstuffs and household products, making their presence in menstrual products “not unexpected”.

“Previous published studies have indeed shown that small amounts of these endocrine disruptors are present in menstrual health products,” said Dr Jack Biko, president of SASREG.

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According to the organisations, a study conducted in China reported that sanitary pads contributed only 6.8% of total exposure from feminine personal care products.

“It is clear that perspective is required in interpreting the data. The findings should not be isolated to sanitary products, which appear to be a small contributor to the overall total of endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure,” Biko said.

The organisations noted that the UFS study did not recommend that any of the tested products be withdrawn from the market.

“Currently, we do not have evidence to recommend any change to usual practice, nor do we have evidence to advise patients to stop using menstrual health products,” he added.

However, they urged South African regulatory authorities to conduct further testing and additional studies to determine the safety of these products and clarify any potential long-term risks.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lebone Roah Mosima

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said on Wednesday that 8.5% (33,650) of applications for the 2026 placement of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners through its Online Admissions System were submitted during the late application period from December 17, 2025, to January 30, 2026.

The department said that about 484 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners had remained unplaced in Ekurhuleni, specifically in Tembisa and Kempton Park, but that by Tuesday, March 3, all remaining learners were successfully placed at alternative schools in their respective areas.

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“In numbers, the total figure of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners placed for the 2026 academic year through Gauteng’s Online Admissions system is 392,224,” the department said.

“The main application period, which ran from July 24 to August 5, 2025, accounts for most of these placements.”

The department said schools will implement catch-up programmes to help learners recover lost curriculum time.

GDE MEC Matome Chiloane said the online admissions system remains a key tool in transforming access to education.

ALSO READ: Basic Education DG continues to monitor SAFE projects in the Eastern Cape

“We are pleased to have successfully placed all applicants who applied online,” Chiloane said.

“However, we are determined to improve the system to ease some of the frustrations encountered during this process.”

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Levy Masiteng 

South African education group Advtech is planning to build a new university “mega-campus” in Durban after securing 10 hectares of land for the development.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first phase scheduled to be completed and open in 2029, the group said.

The initial build is planned to accommodate about 8,000 students and include a purpose-built 500-bed student residence.

ALSO READ: Basic Education DG continues to monitor SAFE projects in the Eastern Cape

A second phase, targeted for completion in 2035, would expand overall capacity to about 10,500 students and add a further 500 residence beds, taking planned on-site accommodation to 1,000 beds, Advtech said.

The Durban project follows two other major tertiary developments that opened in February 2026 — the Emeris/Vega Sandton mega-campus in Johannesburg and the Emeris Nelson Mandela Bay mega-campus in Gqeberha.

Advtech Group Chief Executive Geoff Whyte said the Durban development forms part of the group’s longer-term growth plans in higher education.

“As South Africa confronts high youth unemployment and rapidly shifting market demands, sustained investment in higher education remains critical,” Whyte said.

ALSO READ: Diesel, petrol prices to increase on Wednesday

“This new Durban mega-campus reflects our confidence in the province and our commitment to equipping students with the workplace readiness skills required to thrive in a fast-changing economy.”

Whyte also pointed to recent policy developments that, he said, create a formal pathway for private higher education institutions to apply for university status.

“We support a clear and transparent process for awarding university status. As soon as the framework allows, Emeris will apply,” he said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Charmaine Ndlela

Consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets as the price of petrol is set to increase by 20 cents a litre from Wednesday.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said both grades of petrol would rise by 20 cents per litre.

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Petrol 93 (ULP and LRP) will increase by 20 cents per litre, while Petrol 95 (ULP and LRP) will also go up by 20 cents per litre.

Both grades of diesel will see steeper hikes at the wholesale level. Diesel (0.05% sulphur) will increase by 62 cents per litre, while Diesel (0.005% sulphur) will rise by 65 cents per litre, the statement said.

The price of illuminating paraffin (wholesale) will increase by 44 cents per litre, while the Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP) for illuminating paraffin will rise by 58 cents per litre.

The maximum retail price of LPGas will increase by 23 cents per kilogram, while the increase will be 26 cents per kilogram in the Western Cape, where LPGas is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay.

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The Road Freight Association (RFA) has warned consumers to brace for higher costs at the till following the increases.

“The increase in fuel prices in March 2026 is a direct result of upward pressure on the international price of oil due to both supply and logistics risks following the start of hostilities between Iran, the US, and Israel. The Road Freight Association has noted with both dismay and concern that the price of diesel is increasing between R0.60 and R0.65 per litre,” said Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

A fire has caused extensive damage to offices, equipment and administrative records at Kgamanyane Secondary School in Moruleng Village, North West.

North West Department of Education spokesperson Vuyo Mantshule told Inside Education police were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, including if arson was involved.

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A member of the School Governing Body, who lives near the premises, noticed the fire in the early hours of Sunday morning and alerted the school principal. The principal contacted the fire department and police.

The department said that by the time fire services arrived, the blaze had already destroyed a significant portion of the administrative block, including the

staff room,  food storage area, staff kitchen, ablution facilities for males and females, administration offices, the sick bay and the strong room.  

Provincial education MEC Viola Motsumi said the fire was a serious setback for the school community.

“These acts are efforts that undermine education infrastructure in the province and cannot be tolerated,” Motsumi said.

“I want to assure the school management, learners, parents, and the broader community that the department will provide the necessary support to ensure that teaching and learning continue without disruption.”

ALSO READ: 2026 Budget signals economic recovery, protects the poor – Ramaphosa

Motsumi called on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and urged community members to come forward with any information that may help identify those responsible.

An assessment by the department’s infrastructure unit will determine the full extent of the damage.

INSIDE EDUCATION

By Cyril Ramaphosa

Last week, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana presented a Budget that will accelerate the momentum of inclusive growth, create jobs and tackle poverty.

Every budgetary allocation is a developmental choice: ensuring there are teachers in classrooms, nurses and doctors in clinics, electricity and basic services in homes and businesses, infrastructure to grow the economy, and employment opportunities for communities.

After a prolonged period of economic uncertainty, this Budget builds on the progress made over the last few years to stabilise, reform and transform our economy. Improvements in public finances, stabilising debt, a narrowing budget deficit, credit rating upgrades and improved market confidence all signal the beginning of an economic recovery.

A stable macroeconomic environment boosts investor confidence and increases government’s capacity to invest in both growth and poverty relief without compromising sustainability.

The stabilisation of public finances gives us space to accelerate public investment, sustain the social wage, and direct resources to reforms that drive growth and job creation.

The social wage accounts for over 60% of government spending after interest payments. The allocation for this financial year will enable us to provide healthcare services to 84% of the population, social grants to 26.5 million beneficiaries and free basic services to over 11 million indigent households. It will support approximately 13.6 million learners at school.

This is a redistributive budget that reduces inequality, builds the capabilities of our people and strengthens the foundations for inclusive growth.

Basic education is one of those key foundations. We will be allocating additional spending to employ more educators. Additional funds have been allocated to the early childhood development grant to reach an additional 300,000 children and to align the National School Nutrition Programme to food inflation.

The Budget supports inclusive growth by accelerating public investment, particularly on infrastructure. Improved infrastructure lowers the cost of doing business, raises productivity and supports our country’s exports.

Over the next three years, public spending on infrastructure will exceed R1 trillion to build and maintain roads and rail lines, expand energy infrastructure, and build and maintain water and sanitation infrastructure.

Government alone cannot finance the scale of infrastructure our country needs. We are therefore mobilising investment from private and other sources, and opening the space for public-private partnerships. As we encourage private investment in electricity, rail and port operations, we are maintaining state ownership of strategic national infrastructure.

Under Operation Vulindlela, government departments and public entities are undertaking impactful reforms in energy, telecommunications, water and logistics.

The Budget acknowledges that many municipalities are in financial distress, driven by weak revenue collection, poor management and substantial service delivery backlogs.

Many municipalities are not spending appropriately. For several years, water and electricity revenue has not been invested in infrastructure maintenance or expansion, but has been redirected to cover other municipal costs.

Local government finances have to be placed on a more sustainable footing to support the delivery of basic services. Over the medium term, R19.2 billion will be reallocated to the reform of electricity, water, sanitation and solid waste trading services in metros. These allocations will be linked to performance against clear targets.

The Municipal Infrastructure Grant is being reformed to address underspending and misuse of funds. Over the next three years, R86.9 billion has been allocated to support the provision of free basic services to indigent households.

This year’s budget reflects government’s goals of inclusive growth and job creation through additional support for mass public employment programmes and relief for small businesses.

An additional R4.1 billion has been allocated to the Presidential Employment Stimulus to provide work opportunities to more young South Africans.

To ease the regulatory burden for small businesses, the threshold for businesses to register for VAT has been more than doubled. For small business owners who wish to sell or transfer their businesses, the capital gains tax exemption has also been significantly increased.

Together, these measures will help small and informal businesses to grow and employ more South Africans.

This year’s Budget focuses on three imperatives: maintaining fiscal sustainability, driving inclusive growth and protecting society’s most vulnerable. It is a balanced budget that reflects the realities of our economy, limited financial resources, high unemployment and urgent infrastructure needs.

As we build on the momentum of our recovery, we will continue to be guided by fiscal discipline, structural reform, targeted investment and an overarching commitment to improving the material conditions of every South African.

Cyril Ramaphosa is President of South Africa.

INSIDE EDUCATION