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EKURHULENI East TVET College Springs Campus students embarked on a protest outside their campus last week.
It is believed that the protests come from the frustrations of students who have not received their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances since the beginning of 2022.
Some students at the campus complained about not being able to pay for their accommodation and not having enough money for food and transport.
“We are supposed to be writing our exams in a peaceful state, yet we find ourselves very frustrated. We have outstanding debts and our landlords have resorted to evict us. No one seems to care,” said student Sinalo Skopana.
“When we approach relevant parties, from one person to the next, we are turned down because no one wants to take accountability.”
When the college management negotiated a sit-down meeting with the students, some students declined the offer as they said they still needed to voice their concerns.
“We want to be heard. They want us to listen, but they refuse to listen to us,” said an emotional Zama Zulu.
The college has confirmed the protest relates to the payment of NSFAS allowances and has further said they have engaged with students as a way to resolve the matter.
“We invited an NSFAS representative to address students and we gave them proof and assurance that their allowances would be paid,” said college assistant director in marketing and communications Zuko Mbolekwa.
The college has further said that after a brief talk was held with the NSFAS representative and the students, all students were satisfied and content with the kind of care and assistance they had received.
“After yesterday’s resolve, we are hoping everything will be back to normal,” said Mbolekwa.
STAFF REPORTER