DASO outraged at Fort Hare not signing funding agreements

18 May 2016

Yusuf Cassim MP, DASO Leader, today put forward the party’s demands over student funding at a media briefing held at the University of Fort Hare today, after the DA learnt that the process regarding debt clearance and financial aid for students at the University was shut down this week. 

According to the Financial Aid department at Fort Hare, the agreements could not be signed due to university funds having been exhausted. This will leave poor students without the funding that they were promised and again highlights the chronic lack of funding in higher education, and in particular, the poor financial management of this historic university. 

It is equally a travesty that while the money has dried up for students, expensive centenary celebrations – funded by the Provincial Government and Presidency – will continue this Friday. Heads of State, Ministers and the President himself will descend on the campus this week, with much fanfare. 

To this end, the DASO governed Alice Campus SRC has made the following demands on behalf of students, to be addressed by university management:

All first year students who applied and qualified for NSFAS must sign the Loan Agreement Forms today

- All senior students, including first year students who applied and qualified for NSFAS but have not signed NSFAS Loan Agreement Forms must sign today

- The Missing Gap of students must be assisted with the funding which was given by office of the premier to assist the missing middle today

- Students who went through NSFAS appeals committee and have been approved by the committee must start signing NSFAS Loan Agreement Forms today

- Graduates who owe the university but have signed Historic Debt Clearance forms must be awarded their degree certificates today

- Allowances for private accommodation and transport allowances for oppidans must be released today

- Students who have been awarded Fundza Lushaka by their district offices but have been excluded by the selection committee of the university must be re-instated today

- Students who are funded by Mpumalanga Provincial Government must be given their living allowances today

- Students with special needs/disabilities must be assisted with ALL their needs, including devices, care and facilities today

- Honours students who have not applied for NSFAS must be allowed to apply today

- Residence fee increment for 2016 must be reversed today

- The university must release the forensic audit report for residences

- Vacancies for academics that have left the institution must be filled with immediate effect

- The Fundza Lushaka students must be given their change today

Furthermore, the SRC will continue to engage with management on other matters that have not been included above and ensure that all students are aware of the outcomes post to engagements. 

Issued by Yusuf Cassim, DASO Leader, 18 May 2016