As clouds of smoke divided the growing traffic jam on both sides of the road‚ throngs of Ehlanzeni Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) College students chanted with fists in the air in protest against a lack of government funding.
A classroom desk‚ tyres and wood lay in flames in the middle of a busy access road into KaNyamazane township from Nelspruit in Mpumalanga.
The students allege their college claimed funds from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but they have not benefitted.
Some of the students have been evicted by landlords who were growing tired of feeding and accommodating them without payment from the college.
“We are aware that NSFAS paid money to the college which should have been in the students’ pockets as we speak. But the college has failed to transfer the money to eligible students‚” student leader Magnificent Thabethe said.
Thabethe said normal class attendance ceased about 10 weeks ago as students grew impatient.
With exams two weeks away‚ they are concerned whether they will pass this trimester.
A female student‚ who asked to remain anonymous‚ said she and 48 others were evicted from a residence.
“We were evicted and told that the college did not pay our rent. I’ve had to ask for food and accommodation from friends. I (now) live with 14 girls in a single room without beds and a study area‚” the student said.
Rockast Accommodation landlord Nokwanda Sithole confirmed the eviction of more than 40 female students from her residence since April.
“The college has no communication with me. Keeping the students here was a financial risk because I did not know whether the college would pay for them or not. I couldn’t keep their lights on and feed them out of my pocket anymore‚” Sithole said‚ adding that students have been staying at her place since 2012 without a problem.
Novhene Lodge landlord Themba Shabangu had the same concern but said “evicting them is my last option‚ unless it’s too tough”.
“I have a verbal agreement with the college to keep and feed the students until money is available. I don’t know what they will eat this lunch. They’ve not been eating regularly since last week‚” said Shabangu‚ who accommodates 46 students.
NSFAS has not yet responded to questions.
Ehlanzeni TVET College spokesman Mxolisi Nzimande said they could not make a statement without “full details” of the matter.
“The matter has not reached our office; we are not aware of this. We will issue a media statement as soon as we get the full details‚” Nzimande said.
Students protest funding shortfall amid evictions
As clouds of smoke divided the growing traffic jam on both sides of the road‚ throngs of Ehlanzeni Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) College students chanted with fists in the air in protest against a lack of government funding.
A classroom desk‚ tyres and wood lay in flames in the middle of a busy access road into KaNyamazane township from Nelspruit in Mpumalanga.
The students allege their college claimed funds from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but they have not benefitted.
Some of the students have been evicted by landlords who were growing tired of feeding and accommodating them without payment from the college.
“We are aware that NSFAS paid money to the college which should have been in the students’ pockets as we speak. But the college has failed to transfer the money to eligible students‚” student leader Magnificent Thabethe said.
Thabethe said normal class attendance ceased about 10 weeks ago as students grew impatient.
With exams two weeks away‚ they are concerned whether they will pass this trimester.
A female student‚ who asked to remain anonymous‚ said she and 48 others were evicted from a residence.
“We were evicted and told that the college did not pay our rent. I’ve had to ask for food and accommodation from friends. I (now) live with 14 girls in a single room without beds and a study area‚” the student said.
Rockast Accommodation landlord Nokwanda Sithole confirmed the eviction of more than 40 female students from her residence since April.
“The college has no communication with me. Keeping the students here was a financial risk because I did not know whether the college would pay for them or not. I couldn’t keep their lights on and feed them out of my pocket anymore‚” Sithole said‚ adding that students have been staying at her place since 2012 without a problem.
Novhene Lodge landlord Themba Shabangu had the same concern but said “evicting them is my last option‚ unless it’s too tough”.
“I have a verbal agreement with the college to keep and feed the students until money is available. I don’t know what they will eat this lunch. They’ve not been eating regularly since last week‚” said Shabangu‚ who accommodates 46 students.
NSFAS has not yet responded to questions.
Ehlanzeni TVET College spokesman Mxolisi Nzimande said they could not make a statement without “full details” of the matter.
“The matter has not reached our office; we are not aware of this. We will issue a media statement as soon as we get the full details‚” Nzimande said.
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