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By Johnathan Paoli
The Democratic Alliance has sounded the alarm on what it calls a “student living crisis” following an oversight visit to a Nelson Mandela University residence in Gqeberha.
The delegation uncovered severely deteriorated and unsafe living conditions for hundreds of students, many of whom are still waiting for overdue accommodation allowances from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
“The conditions discovered during today’s oversight are undoubtedly mirrored on campuses across South Africa. Students have struggled with various aspects of the accommodations for a number of years, and rather than problems being solved, each year the situation seems to deteriorate,” DA higher education spokesperson Matlhodi Maseko said.
The oversight visit, led by Maseko, alongside national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau, Eastern Cape chairperson Yusuf Cassim and other party officials, revealed residences plagued by broken infrastructure, including collapsed ceilings, leaking pipes, shattered windows, dysfunctional bathrooms, broken perimeter fencing and overflowing refuse bins.
The Ocean View in North End residence houses approximately 600 students.
According to DA findings, NSFAS has failed to pay R2.97 million in monthly accommodation funding to this facility since last year, placing both students and housing providers in dire straits.
Maseko confirmed that students have reported constant threats of eviction, with many not receiving their NSFAS allowances in months.
They also allege that vulnerable students are being preyed upon by rogue landlords, who are withholding students’ belongings, including study materials, and some are being coerced into exploitative relationships in exchange for rent.
In response, the DA has launched a national online portal for students to report their accommodation challenges, available through the party’s website.
The platform allows students to upload photographs, detail living conditions and report unpaid allowances, exploitation and safety concerns.
Maseko said the platform would create a comprehensive national picture of the student housing crisis and help escalate urgent cases directly to the Higher Education and Training Department or NSFAS.
The DA has pledged to work closely with Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mimmy Gondwe to hold NSFAS to account and improve oversight on accommodation accreditation and funding processes. Gondwe has a help desk in her office that assists with a number of issues, including student accommodation.
Maseko further criticised the NSFAS’ student accommodation portal and accrediting systems, citing irregularities and inadequate vetting of service providers.
The spokesperson said the funding scheme was meant to be a beacon of hope.
“NSFAS is meant to help students, including those in vulnerable circumstances, to attain their goals and dreams, not be hindrances,” she said.
The DA said quality education was the best way for South African youth to become economically independent and thriving individuals.
NSFAS was unavailable for comment by the time of publishing.
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