Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Yusuf Cassim has described centralising NSFAS money as the wrong approach. In a recent interview he argued that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme must fund students more directly and closer to them rather than through a centralised model.
Cassim, a Democratic Alliance MP and Eastern Cape chairperson, took office on 1 July 2026 after President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him to replace Mimmy Gondwe. His comments come as NSFAS remains under administration amid ongoing governance and payment challenges.
Cassim calls for decentralisation of NSFAS funding
Cassim told Netwerk24 that the current centralised structure of NSFAS fails to deliver effectively. “We believe, for example, that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is not the correct model in its current entity to be able to deliver effectively to our people, that we must fund students directly and closer to them rather than centralising. We must decentralise,” he said.
He linked this view to the decision to place NSFAS under administration earlier this year. That decision is now under scrutiny by the parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education.
“This is the right entity to exercise effective oversight over government. They need to determine whether the reasons given for placing NSFAS under administration are sound or not. One would hope that there are not sinister reasons behind it,”
Cassim stated.
Appointment and conditions for accepting the role
President Ramaphosa announced Cassim’s appointment last week. Cassim initially declined when DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis offered the post. He cited important responsibilities in the Eastern Cape and the limited executive authority of deputy ministers.
“I turned it down because I believe in making a difference. I have very important responsibilities in the Eastern Cape and felt I would not be able to do that if I became a deputy minister, as deputy ministers do not have executive authority over the departments they are appointed to,”
he explained.
Party leaders later assured him the role would allow him to promote DA policy.
Meeting with Minister Manamela and clear mandate
Cassim met Minister Buti Manamela on Monday. He made it plain he would not defend or promote ANC policy with which he disagrees.
“My commitment to him was that I would not misrepresent government policy. However, I will promote what I believe to be the right approach, both within and outside the department,”
he said.
Manamela welcomed him and said he wanted to work as a team. Cassim responded that meaningful work was essential.
“If the strategy is to put me somewhere in a corner of the department that receives 2% of the budget, it will be unhealthy if we try to work together as a team. I am not optional in the department and will fight for what I believe in.”
His broader message to South Africans centres on individual rights and opportunity.
“My party and I believe that everyone should be empowered to achieve their dreams based on their hard work and talent, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, skin color, religion, ethnicity, regardless of any biological marker.”
He pledged to defend the rights of all South Africans.
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