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National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)has been established in terms of the National
Student Financial Aid Scheme Act (No 56 of 1999). Before NSFAS was established, there was
Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA) which was established in 1991 and they
emerged as a result of the South African Government commitment to achieve redress and
widened access in the higher education sector . TEFSAwas further tasked with managing the
NSFAS in 1996 until when NSFAS Act was passed. NSFASis a conduit for funding historically
disadvantaged students with academic ability.It is set up to ensure that students, who have
potential but cannot afford to fund their own studies, will have access to funding for tertiary
education.

  

The Freedom Charter says:   

   ! it further says that
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.

The Freedom Charter as the main program of action of the National Democratic Revolution
as championed by the African National Congress demonstrate very clear that access to a
quality and free education has been at the core of the South African struggle for decades
and remains a key factor in the transformation of our society.

Today, education represents a way out of deprivation and poverty and symb olises the South
African dream and as the creation of a participatory democracy and social inclusion for all
South Africans. This is also being witnessed from Primary and Secondary education with
many no fee public schools as fu nded by the ANC-led government.
This tells you that South African government have opened the doors of learning to all
irrespective of their family background. A child of a domestic/farm worker can access free
education from primary to higher education. All is required is a commitment from learners
to ensure that they focus on their studies and ensure that they do well without any worries
about financing of their s tudies.

Gone are those days where excuses of lack of education due to apartheid and finance were
acceptable. Our parents have valid reasons why they are not educated but we will never
have any reasonable reason to justify our lack of education. Remember, you are not doing it
for your parents, educators or government; you are doing it for yourself. So build it with a
proper foundation like when you build a house you will want to spend the rest of yo ur life in
it. you have all building materials available, all you need is to invest your energy in utilising
them to build a qualitative house (referring to education).

All appreciation to the government as the poor and the working class today can be in th e
same class with the rich and children of the capitalists. This clearly demonstrates the fact
that the working class remains the motive force which stands to benefit out of the National
Democratic Revolution.

Good luck to all pupil and learners. Your career starts now so make the right and sustainable career
choice.