Students in various parts of South Africa are facing evictions and uncertainty as the Natiomal Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) fails to honor its commitments, leaving them without a place to stay.
In the midst of the academic year, numerous South African students are facing evictions from their housing, let down by the financial system that was supposed to assist them.
NSFAS, responsible for distributing housing funds, has fallen short in making timely rent payments, resulting in a surge of evictions nationwide, affecting the most vulnerable students the hardest.
From various regions like Tshwane and Gqeberha, similar distressing accounts emerge: rent left unpaid, students left homeless, and exams looming ahead.
“We received a message from a group saying NSFAS did not pay for the two previous months and they said they will evict us because they could not sustain us. I and a few were kicked out even though some students stayed,” an anonymous student from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) told the Daily Maverick.
This has affected me immensely. I found a student that I am now living with, but I am close to writing my examination and I worry because how am I going to study without a place to stay? This has really affected me because I have no relatives in Port Elizabeth [Gqeberha].”
In another part of town, a group of third-year NMU students shared a similar experience. They were being forced to vacate the accommodation, and were only saved when EFF student members engaged with the institution. Eventually, allowing them to remain.
In Tshwane, chaos ensued after NSFAS deposited R13,800 into students’ accounts, failing to clarify that R10,800 was designated for rent while only R2,200 was for allowances. Many students utilised the funds for essential living costs, unaware of the impending crisis. Left without payment, their landlords had no alternative.
“Various accredited residences including Foundation, Boikhutsong, Thabo Sehume, and Riverside evicted us after NSFAS failed to pay because of the R13,000 which they did not specify was for accommodation,” recounted Amukelani Mavhasa, President of the Student Representative Council at Tshwane North TVET College.
With no nearby relatives and contingency plans, some students were left with no choice but to seek refuge in local police stations.
ALSO READ: NSFAS clarifies R13,800 accommodation payment error
Landlords lose faith as financial strain worsen
Accommodation providers are also grappling with the situation, describing it as unsustainable.
“With the NSFAS situation, if you’re paid today as a landlord, you’re not guaranteed next month you’re going to be paid,” Kagisho Mamabolo, CEO of the Private Student Housing Association (PSHA) told Daughter Maverick. “So we’re in a stlituation where we chase our payments month after month, and we don’t think NSFAS will resolve it this year.”
By early April, NSFAS was still indebted to landlords with R27 million for 2024 payments, a figure that has increased due to subsequent delays in 2025.
One provider, speaking anonymously to DM due to fear of repercussions, revealed that the situation has pushed some property to the brink of losong their assets.
“We can’t carry housing students anymore to the next month without payments because now we don’t have money. Our properties are getting deregistered by the bank and they’re getting repossessed ”
The root problem lies in NSFAS’s adoption of so-called “solution partners”, or industry stakeholders, to verify student housing eligibility—a system widely criticised for causing bottlenecks and slowing disbursements:
“NSFAS has violated its own lease agreement with landlords,” Mamabolo noted, adding that nowhere in the lease does it state that the tenant should foot the bill. It’s the funder’s responsibility to pay the rent, he clarified.
NSFAS inadequate response
In response, NSFAS spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi emphasised that the verification process is crucial to prevent fraudulent activities.
“This process aims to safeguard against fake student claims,” he said, assuring that all outstanding claims are under assessment, with landlords being informed through solution partners.
However, students directly impacted by the situation find these explanations inadequate.
Just days before the evictions unfolded, Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane issued a statement committing to rectify the payment issue and settle all outstanding balances fo4 2024. She acknowledged the “unacceptable delays” and pledged that disbursements would be completed by April 30.
Nonetheless, for many, this assurance came too late. The pressing question now isn’t just whether the ever-trounled NSFAS will eventually fulfil its payment obligations, but whether students can endure until that resolution arrives.
