Johannesburg – The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) bursary program, criticizing its failure to pay students’ fees.
In a pointed statement issued over the weekend, the ANCYL in Gauteng conveyed their discontent, saying: “We are profoundly troubled by the gross incompetence and blatant negligence displayed by the GCRA, which has left many students unable to afford their tuition fees.”
The ANCYL highlighted: “Among those impacted are three exceptional medical students from the University of Cape Town (UCT), whose future prospects are jeopardized due to the GCRA’s inability to fulfill its obligations.”
“These students, who should be celebrating their academic achievements, are instead confronted with despair, unable to register for their fifth year of studies in 2025 due to unpaid tuition fees from the GCRA.”
“We have an email from a frustrated fifth-year student addressed to the GCRA, urgently requesting assistance regarding overdue fees.”
“This email, like many others, has gone unanswered, reflecting the CEO’s complete disregard for the challenges faced by the youth under the institution’s stewardship.”
The ANCYL has called for the “immediate dismissal of the GCRA CEO,” accusing the individual of incompetency.
“The incompetence of this individual has caused unwarranted suffering among students, betrayed the trust placed in the institution, and undermined its mission to promote youth development,” the statement read.
“As part of our congress resolution, we demand that the CEO be replaced with a young, qualified, and credible individual committed to addressing the needs of young people.”
The GCRA bursary program is responsible for fostering a skilled, capable, and ethical workforce for the Gauteng City Region.
This bursary program is available to all eligible youth, focusing particularly on those from Gauteng who wish to undertake undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies at accredited and registered Post School Education and Training institutions in South Africa.
The bursary covers the entire cost of studies, contingent upon the terms stated in the bursary contract.
Recently, the Democratic Alliance (DA) commented: “GCRA learners continue to encounter significant obstacles due to the lack of crucial learning resources, while Gauteng Department of Education Head of Department Edward Mosuwe is shielding a Chief Executive Officer implicated in maladministration, corruption, and fraud as reported by the Auditor General.”
The DA further asserted: “It is unacceptable for GCRA to overlook support for young people, such as learnerships, bursaries, and apprenticeships, because of a corrupt official.”
“The Auditor General recommended that the department’s HOD should file a criminal complaint against all officials involved in this corruption scandal and notify the Treasury, AG, and the department’s MEC.”
“Instead of acting on these straightforward recommendations, the HOD opted to hire a law firm to investigate the matter.”
“This delay is costing the department additional funds instead of acting on the AG’s recommendations.”
The DA mentioned it has contacted Gauteng Department of Education MEC Matome Chiloane, demanding swift action against the HOD for neglecting to implement the AG’s recommendations.
While The Bulrushes has yet to receive a statement from the GCRA, reports from Inside Education suggest that the Gauteng education department has dismissed any allegations of “malicious intent” regarding student funding issues at the GCRA.
Inside Education cites spokesperson Steve Mabona, stating that the department is aware of the challenges and is making every effort to resolve the situation.
“We acknowledge that we have faced some delays in processing necessary payments to certain institutions, but these issues have now been resolved as payments have been made accordingly,” Mabona was quoted as saying on Friday, (3 January 2025).
