Please find English and Afrikaans soundbites by Dr Delmaine Christians MP.
Every student who depends on NSFAS deserves to know that the people overseeing the scheme are beyond reproach. That is why we object to the appointment of Bojane Segooa to the NSFAS Audit and Risk Committee.
Given her association with the governance crisis at Daybreak Foods, the judgement exercised in making this appointment is deeply questionable.
Segooa’s tenure at Daybreak Foods became synonymous with one of the country’s most serious governance failures. Under her as Chairperson, staff were unpaid and chicks were starved. That is why it is difficult to understand why she has been appointed to help oversee audit, risk and governance at another institution that has spent years trying to recover from governance failures of its own.
The DA will therefore submit parliamentary questions requiring the Minister to disclose:
– What due diligence was conducted before Ms Segooa’s appointment.
– Whether concerns relating to her tenure at Daybreak Foods were considered during the appointment process.
– Whether the position was publicly advertised and, if not, why not.
– How many candidates were considered for the Audit and Risk Committee.
– What criteria informed her appointment.
– Whether the Minister was aware of, or consulted on, the appointment.
– Whether the Minister is satisfied that this appointment strengthens NSFAS’s governance and restores public confidence in the institution.
Equally concerning are reports that the position was not publicly advertised. While this may be legally permissible, transparency and merit should be the standard for appointments at public institutions.
The Minister cannot claim to be rebuilding NSFAS while allowing appointments that immediately undermine public confidence. This is not about proving wrongdoing. It is about judgement, accountability and restoring trust.
Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela cannot hide behind the Administrator. Although the Administrator has the authority to make appointments, the Minister appointed him and remains politically accountable for ensuring that NSFAS is placed on a credible path towards recovery.
Students deserve a financial aid scheme led by people whose appointments inspire confidence. The DA believes public appointments should be based on integrity, transparency and merit, not decisions that raise more questions than answers.