Media Statement: Higher Education Committee Says Nsf’s Poor Project Management Has Left Learners Without Stipends

Parliament, Wednesday, 30 September 2026 - The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has said it is hurtful and heartbreaking to hear about persistent stipend payment problems for learners undergoing aviation and artisan training facilitated by the National Skills Fund (NSF).

The committee received a briefing today from the NSF on challenges facing learners participating in the training provided by Phila Jordan Capital (PJC). About 800 learners enrolled in the NSF-funded programme, where they trained in engineering-related trades and aircraft mechanics, including aircraft avionics, structural work, electrics, fitting and turning, and welding.

The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Tebogo Letsie, said many of the learners were young people living in difficult circumstances who depended on these payments for accommodation, food and transport to attend the training. "Every delay places them under immense pressure and threatens their ability to continue with the programme," said Mr Letsie.

He said some of the learners are even able to take a bit from their stipends to support their families. "So, if you are not paying, you are not only affecting one learner; there's an entire ecosystem that you disturb," said Mr Letsie.

The NSF sought to rescue this project after terminating its agreement with Phila Jordan Capital. The project was originally allocated approximately R354 million to train the 800 beneficiaries. However, PJC relocated learners in January 2026 without formally notifying the NSF, which was in breach of the signed memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The PJC then relocated a second group of students in April 2026, after NSF had asked it to stop relocating student without its approval. The breaches of the MOU resulted in disruptions to the programme and compromised learners' welfare and safety, as most faced evictions from their accommodation.

Mr Letsie expressed his concerns that the NSF lacked accurate information about learner payments. He said the project manager should have known whether learners had been paid and maintained regular contact with them. He also questioned claims that payments had been made in June, as correspondence from project partner Denel Technical indicated that learners were still unpaid. "These serious contradictions suggest that the project manager is not involved in the project's day-to-day operations," Mr Letsie said.

Committee members said that, as the funder, the NSF was ultimately responsible for managing and overseeing the project. They argued that the NSF's project management has failed completely and recommended that the committee needs to examine the shortcomings more closely. They further questioned when the NSF would stop attributing problems to third parties and acknowledge that the common denominator is its own inadequate management.

Mr Letsie further questioned whether the project management team had ignored clear warning signs as early as January or February, when PJC failed to fulfil its responsibilities.

Mr Letsie said the programme was intended to equip vulnerable young people with skills, enable them to participate in the mainstream economy and improve their lives. He stressed that their welfare and training could not be treated as secondary concerns.

Mr Letsie also warned that inadequate project management and learner support were contributing to financial losses within the system. He called on the project manager to address concerns raised by committee members and put measures in place to deal with failures in communication, payment monitoring and oversight.

The committee recommended that it should conduct a visit to the learners together with the Minister of Higher Education and Training and NSF to hear from learners themselves.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.

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