The Durban University of Technology’s Director: Special Projects in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and Interim Executive for Student Services, Dr David Mohale confirmed that DUT Management and the Student Representative Council (SRC) met with the delegation of NSFAS senior officials on Wednesday, 19 September 2018 at DUT’s Steve Biko Campus, to resolve outstanding NSFAS related issues.

According to Dr Mohale the meeting discussed various categories of students affected by the SBux system.

Commenting about the outcome of the meeting between DUT Management, SRC and NSFAS senior officials, Dr Mohale said, “The NSFAS team will prepare a report containing different categories of affected students for the SRC to report back to their constituency. The NSFAS delegation has committed that all these issues will be resolved by 28 September 2018, at the latest. There will be daily updates from NSFAS to the Acting Dean of Students on progress or challenges. The Acting Dean of Students will subsequently update the SRC on progress, daily. Further, we agreed on communication channels between DUT staff and students with the NSFAS team to deal with future challenges.”

This meeting follows a meeting that took place on Tuesday (18 September 2018) between DUT Management and the SRC, which discussed issues that were outlined in the SRC memorandum that was submitted to Management on Monday (17 September 2018).

“Following the meeting (on Tuesday), the SRC had fully accepted Management’s responses to majority of their demands. Both parties agreed that SBux payment issues and the late registration requests, required further discussion in order for all parties to reach a consensus. A comprehensive plan of action for these issues, which seeks to find lasting solutions, was also discussed,” said Dr Mohale.

Dr Mohale added that DUT Management acknowledges and commends the SRC for the calm and professional attitude they displayed in their engagement with Management.

“The University would like to thank all staff, students, parents and other stakeholders for their patience, support and understanding during the last two days (Monday and Tuesday). DUT would also like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by occurrences during this period,” added Dr Mohale.

Pictured: Dr David Mohale (Director: Special Projects in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor) and Interim Executive for Student Services, Sesiyanda Godlimpi  (SRC President), Dr Thiru Pillay (Acting Registrar), Malusi Nxumalo (Acting Dean of Students) during the SRC inauguration early this month.

Nduduzo Ndlovu