Finally SMU Students Receive NSFAS Allowances After Protest Action

In response to a protest regarding NSFAS allowances, the South African Union of Students has announced that the issue of NSFAS allowances has been resolved.

Finally SMU Students Receive NSFAS Allowances After Protest Action

Around 250 students at Sefako Makgatho University (SMU) protested earlier in April 2023 after they did not receive their allowances from January 2023 when classes began. A number of these students said they had contacted NSFAS, with some travelling from Gauteng to the Western Cape to visit the agency.

There was a general consensus among students that SMU and NSFAS were blaming each other. 

While the South African Union for Students (SAUS) spokesperson Asive Dlanjwa said that the protest was peaceful and the only violence occurred when students were beaten by private security at the institution, SMU’s SRC President and Secretary General were suspended during the protests.

SAUS says the issues faced by students at SMU have been satisfactorily resolved after it worked with the SRC.NSFAS allowances have now been paid to students who did not receive them previously. The union has acknowledged that SMU’s management and NSFAS have responded to the union’s concerns.

As of 10 April 2023, SMU revoked the suspensions of the SRC President, Secretary General, and two other suspended students. It condemns the brutality of the university towards its students and the victimization of student leaders. SMU and all other universities will continue to be monitored by the union in regards to NSFAS issues.