Pretoria — 11 November 2025. Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela has appointed Dr Mugwena Maluleke as Acting Chairperson of the NSFAS Board, effective 10 November 2025, following the resignation of the previous chair. The move—made under section 5(1)(iii) of the NSFAS Act (1999)—comes as the Minister pursues a court review to regularise the board’s appointment process.

The Department said the board remains functional and NSFAS services continue uninterrupted. Students can still submit 2026 funding applications until 15 November 2025, with the Minister urging all eligible applicants to apply.

Dr Maluleke, a veteran education and labour leader, currently serves as Vice President of Education International and General Secretary of SADTU, and previously sat on the councils of VUT and the Human Resource Development Council. The Minister said Maluleke’s leadership will uphold governance standards, reinforce public trust and guide NSFAS through the transition.

-The VIP Team 

-DHET