On Thursday, 9 July 2026, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Yusuf Cassim, MP, will undertake his first official public engagement with a visit to the University of South Africa (Unisa) Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria.
The visit follows numerous student complaints received through the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk regarding delays in NSFAS allowance payments and the discontinuation of data allowances.
Deputy Minister Cassim remains committed to the DM’s Helpdesk, established by his predecessor, Dr Mimmy Gondwe. The Helpdesk serves as a “helping hand”, providing swift and personalised support to students by escalating queries and grievances and driving meaningful solutions.
During the visit, the Deputy Minister will meet student leaders and Unisa management to assess mixed reports on the causes of delays in the payment of NSFAS allowances and the impact of scrapping the data allowance for distance-learning students.
Deputy Minister Cassim has long championed student access and success in higher education, dating back to his student leadership days. Therefore, as his first public engagement, he felt it important to gain a firsthand understanding of the NSFAS allowances issue and the measures taken to address the challenges effectively.
The Deputy Minister will be accompanied by senior officials from the DHET and NSFAS.
The DM’s Helpdesk is moving to an online platform to provide faster, digitally enhanced support. In the meantime, students can email Dmsdesk@Dhet.gov.za
Members of the media are invited to attend the oversight visit as follows:
Date: Thursday, 9 July 2026
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Venue: OR TAMBO Building, UNISA Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria
Enquiries:
Sipho Stuurman
Cell: 076 965 4880
E-mail: Stuurman.S@dhet.gov.za
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