The Pretoria High Court has ruled that higher education minister Buti Manamela’s decision to replace the dissolved NSFAS board with Professor Hlengani Mathebula as administrator was irrational. The court ordered Mathebula to stop acting in his role and instructed the former board members to return to their positions immediately. The court’s decision followed a request from the board members to review Manamela’s action of dismissing them in favor of Mathebula.
The ruling highlights ongoing tensions around NSFAS governance and funding. Meanwhile, more than 53,000 students have applied for missing-middle loans in 2026, but only 3,102 have been deemed eligible. Manamela acknowledged the challenge of converting applications into funding and outlined plans for a sustainable student financial model. The court’s intervention underscores the complexity of managing both administrative and financial aspects of NSFAS.
The reinstatement order may reshape the organization’s structure and decision-making process. With a backlog of loan applications and limited eligibility, the government faces pressure to improve access to funding. The court’s emphasis on rational governance reflects broader concerns about transparency and accountability in higher education policy.
The outcome could influence future administrative and financial strategies for NSFAS, as the ministry works to balance efficiency with fairness in student support.
