New Acting CEO at NSFAS- But Will it Make Any Difference?
New Acting CEO at NSFAS- But Will it Make Any Difference? The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has once again undergone a leadership shift, leaving many stakeholders, students, educators, and policymakers questioning whether this transition will lead to tangible improvements. With the appointment of Wassem Carrim as the acting CEO, there is renewed hope that the institution will address its long-standing issues, including funding delays, financial mismanagement, and inefficiencies in student aid distribution.
NSFAS Appoints Wassem Carrim as Acting CEO
On Wednesday, NSFAS announced that Wassem Carrim would assume the role of acting CEO with immediate effect. His appointment follows the conclusion of Freeman Nomvalo’s tenure as the scheme’s administrator.
Dr Karen Stander, NSFAS Board Chairperson, expressed confidence in Carrim’s ability to steer the institution towards international best practices in student funding and financial aid management. Given his experience as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Carrim brings financial expertise and a deep understanding of youth development.
Calls for Permanent Leadership at NSFAS
Despite the optimism surrounding Carrim’s appointment, experts emphasize the need for permanent leadership at NSFAS. Educational specialist Hendrick Makaneta stressed that the institution requires a long-term leader to ensure stability and strategic direction.
“NSFAS urgently needs a full-time CEO who can implement meaningful reforms and bring consistency,” Makaneta stated. “Strong leadership could significantly improve efficiency and service delivery, ultimately alleviating financial burdens for students.”
Students have echoed these sentiments, hoping that Carrim’s leadership will resolve ongoing concerns, including delayed payments and appeals. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) student Mpho Madisha pointed out that many students face difficulties due to slow appeal processes and outstanding balances.
“There are students who cannot register because NSFAS has not processed their payments. Others are stuck in appeal limbo, unsure of whether they will receive financial assistance,” Madisha explained.
Challenges Plaguing NSFAS
Carrim steps into leadership at a critical time for NSFAS, as the institution grapples with serious operational and financial challenges. Just weeks before his appointment, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, appointed a new board to oversee the scheme. This move was seen as an attempt to restore governance and accountability within NSFAS.
- Financial mismanagement: The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) revealed that NSFAS had mistakenly disbursed over R2 billion to universities. The investigation also found that 40,000 ineligible recipients had received NSFAS funding.
- Student protests and dissatisfaction: Continuous delayed payments and inefficient processing of appeals have sparked widespread protests at universities and TVET colleges.
- Poor record-keeping: SIU investigators found that NSFAS and some higher education institutions lack proper documentation systems, making it difficult to track fund allocations and student accounts.
Leonard Lekgetho, SIU Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the severity of the problem. “When we request data or financial records, institutions often do not have them readily available. There is a significant lack of accountability in how student funding is allocated,” he explained.
Restoring Trust and Efficiency in NSFAS
As acting CEO, Carrim is expected to prioritize financial accountability, streamlined disbursement of funds, and improved record-keeping. The NSFAS board has outlined key focus areas for his tenure, including:
- Ensuring timely and efficient disbursement of funds to students.
- Enhancing transparency in fund allocation and appeal processes.
- Implementing robust financial oversight mechanisms to prevent further mismanagement.
- Rebuilding stakeholder trust, particularly among students and educational institutions.
Dr. Karen Stander emphasized that Carrim’s leadership will be instrumental in reforming NSFAS. “His expertise in state-owned enterprise (SOE) management, coupled with his dedication to youth development and innovation, makes him the ideal candidate to drive positive change,” she stated.
Conclusion
The appointment of Wassem Carrim as acting CEO of NSFAS comes at a crucial time for the organization. While his financial background and leadership experience position him well for the role, the real test lies in his ability to resolve long-standing inefficiencies, rebuild trust, and ensure that students receive the financial support they need.
