Student debt in South Africa is quickly becoming a divisive topic. This week Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande revealed thatscholars have billions in unpaid student debt in South Africa. The majority of which is either partially for fully funded through the corruption-riddled, Nzimande made the revelation in a recent parliamentary Q&A session.
The University of Pretoria stakes claim to 60 043 scholars with outstanding student debt in South Africa. The cumulative debt amounts to. As UP calls it, it has 1 327 degrees in safe keeping until the outstanding funds are paid. University of Johannesburg has around 33 000 students with outstanding debt. 14 537 of these are currently registered students and 18 796 are unregistered.. As a result, 332 students will not graduate, receive certificates or a letter of completion until they’re fully paid-up.
As mentioned, the above numbers represent students who were funded by NSFAS at some point in their academic career. As well as those who owe money in their personal capacity. Interestingly, solely NSFAS-funded scholars are generally allowed to graduate. A practice that is done in good faith with the understanding that the government entity will eventually settle the debt with the university.