Dear Hon. Khakhau

We hope this message finds you well.

We are students currently enrolled in the Aircraft Maintenance and Overhaul (Avionics) program at the Aerospace Training Academy of South Africa (ATASA). Our three-year program commenced on 8 January 2024 and is structured into two phases: an initial 18-month theoretical training component, followed by an industry-based On-the-Job Training (OJT) phase.

While a few students have secured placements, the overall process has been riddled with uncertainty and a lack of transparency. Despite our repeated efforts to raise these issues with ATASA leadership, including direct engagement with the CEO, we have yet to receive any meaningful clarity or resolution.

Our immediate concern is that the theoretical phase has now concluded, yet more than 70% of us remain unplaced for OJT, which is essential for the completion of our qualification. Although we understand that the Academy may be experiencing challenges in facilitating placements, many of us have proactively approached Aircraft Maintenance Organizations (AMOs) ourselves. Unfortunately, most of these organizations have declined to take us on.

Our inquiries suggest that one possible reason is funding-related complications. Specifically, it appears that the Academy—or more precisely, the National Skills Fund (NSF)—may be claiming discretionary grants from the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA), which in turn prevents AMOs from claiming funding for taking us on. This suspicion was confirmed during a meeting with management on 25 July 2025, where we were told directly that it is the NSF, not ATASA, that is claiming from TETA. We are deeply confused by this arrangement and unsure of its validity or how it aligns with normal TETA processes.

Furthermore, during this same meeting, we were instructed to return home and wait to be contacted — with no clear timeframe for when placements will occur. Adding to our distress, we were informed that our stipends will be paused during this indefinite waiting period.

This leaves us in an extremely vulnerable position:

1. We remain contractually bound to NSF and ATASA, preventing us from registering at other institutions, as we are ineligible for further NSFAS funding due to our current funding status.


2. We are unable to seek employment or register for jobs, since we are still formally enrolled in this program and funded under its terms.


3. We now face serious financial hardship, as the stipend we relied on to meet basic needs is being suspended — not due to any fault of ours, but because of systemic delays in placement.



It is critical to understand that our lack of placement is not a result of negligence or poor performance. We have fulfilled all obligations of the program to date and have done everything within our power to secure OJT.

Additionally, we have repeatedly requested the Academy to invite NSF representatives for an in-person meeting to clarify the grant issues. However, we are told that NSF cannot engage with us directly because it is currently being audited by the Auditor-General. We do not understand how this rationale justifies the ongoing lack of accountability, and we would deeply appreciate your intervention in verifying and following up on this matter.

We have a full recording of the 25 July 2025 meeting, should your office wish to review the statements made. We trust your integrity and oversight as a public representative and believe you will use your platform to interrogate the facts and assist us in finding resolution.

We humbly appeal for your guidance and support in helping us secure the OJT placements we need to complete our training. Our goal remains to graduate as qualified avionics technicians ready to contribute to South Africa’s aerospace industry — but without immediate intervention, many of us face being left behind.

Thank you for your time, attention, and anticipated support.

Yours sincerely,
Concerned Students
Aircraft Maintenance and Overhaul (Avionics)
Aerospace Training Academy of South Africa