Good day Dr Bonginkosi Blade Nzimande and the DHET Team

Institution: University of South Africa (Unisa)
Programme: Bachelor of Consumer Science - Fashion Retail Management

I am a final (3rd) year student doing a Bachelor of Consumer Sciences specialising in Fashion Retail Management. I have completed 27 modules in the programme with 26 distinctions and an overall average of 88%. I only have 3 modules left to complete my degree. The reason for this email is to voice out my frustration with the Higher Education System, NSFAS and to finally request that you assist me, in any way possible to get funding to continue with my studies.

Academic transcript can be sent upon request.

I live with my single mother who is unemployed and two siblings at TVET colleges. I was previously funded by NSFAS, however, in August 2020 I received an sms informing me that my funding was reversed for reasons I am still not aware of. Shortly after that, I went to SARS with my mom and to get physical proof that she is unemployed and her employment status have not tried. I then emailed NSFAS within a few days to prove this.

In 2020, I passed all my modules with distinctions but I was dissapointed to find out that I still had no funding in 2021 as I tried to register. The next action was to try to contact NSFAS, I have tried calling the NSFAS office and emailing the office with no success. As a result, my 2020 fees have not been paid and I am unable to register for 2021. I have an outstanding balance of R12 533.75 for 2020 and my fees for 2021 amount to R5 136. I have tried applying for other bursaries but most of them do not fund outstanding debt. I am deeply concerned that I will miss the final date of payment. In such a case, I would forfeit my academic year and miss the opportunity to finish my degree in 2021.

The required minimum registration fee of R14 228 in order to be a registered student, the final date of payment is 12 March 2021. I do not have this money! I dont even know why NSFAS stopped funding me, no one has communicated with me or responded to any of my emails. At this point I have no way of finding out whether I am funded by NSFAS or not because quite honestly, the organisation is inaccessible.

Indeed, the pandemic has negatively affected all of us, but the least the organisation could have done was to allow NSFAS call centre agents to work from home, answering calls and responding to emails, other institutions have resorted to this. Why has NSFAS not made any efforts to mantain communication with students? The website is completely outdated and not useful, you can't do anything on that site, it keeps buffering. No one responds to emalls and the call centre is closed. The social media site gives generic answers and then asks students to e-mail and the frustrating cycle continues all over again.

Why are we as poor students deserted in the middle of the semester?
Why am I in limbo regarding my future?
Is it ethical to promise to pay for studies and change your mind without informing the other affected party of the reasons?
Why am I suddenly defunded as a final year student?

I have signed a bursary contract with NSFAS and I have kept my end of the agreement. Why is the institution not fulfilling it's promise?

I am doing well academically and yet I don't have money to finish off my studies this year. Please help.

I hope you will heed to this desperate call.

Regards
Dineo Moea