Johannesburg – The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) bursary program due to its failure to pay student fees.

In a forceful statement issued over the weekend, the ANCYL in Gauteng voiced their dismay, declaring: “We are profoundly troubled by the gross incompetence and overt negligence exhibited by the GCRA, which has resulted in numerous students being unable to pay their tuition fees.”

The ANCYL pointed out: “Among those impacted are three exemplary medical students from the University of Cape Town (UCT), whose futures are at stake due to the GCRA’s inability to fulfill its obligations.”

“These students, who should be celebrating their academic achievements, are instead facing despair, unable to register for their fifth year of studies in 2025 because of the unpaid tuition fees from the GCRA.”

“We have received an email from a distressed fifth-year student addressed to the GCRA, urgently requesting assistance regarding outstanding fees.”

“This email, like many others, has gone unanswered, highlighting the CEO’s complete disregard for the difficulties faced by the youth under the institution’s purview.”

The ANCYL has demanded the “immediate dismissal of the GCRA CEO,” accusing them of incompetence.

“The incompetence of this individual has caused unnecessary hardship for students, betrayed the trust placed in the institution, and undermined its mission to support youth development,” the statement read.

“As part of our congress resolution, we insist 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 designed to develop a skilled, capable, and ethical workforce for the Gauteng City Region.

This bursary program is available to all eligible youth, particularly those from Gauteng, who wish to pursue undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies at accredited and registered Post School Education and Training institutions in South Africa.

The bursary covers the full cost of studies, contingent upon the stipulations outlined in the bursary contract.

Recently, the Democratic Alliance (DA) remarked: “GCRA learners continue to encounter significant challenges due to the lack of vital learning resources, while Gauteng Department of Education Head of Department Edward Mosuwe is protecting a Chief Executive Officer implicated in maladministration, corruption, and fraud as cited by the Auditor General.”

The DA further emphasized: “It is unacceptable for GCRA to overlook support for young people, such as learnerships, bursaries, and apprenticeships, due to 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.”

“Rather than implementing these straightforward recommendations, the HOD opted to hire a law firm to investigate the issue.”

“This delay is costing the department more money, as opposed to acting on the AG’s recommendations.”

The DA stated it has contacted Gauteng Department of Education MEC Matome Chiloane, demanding immediate action against the HOD for failing to implement the AG’s recommendations.

While The Bulrushes has been unable to secure a statement from the GCRA, reports from Inside Education indicate that the Gauteng education department has dismissed any claims of “malicious intent” regarding student funding issues at the GCRA.

Inside Education cites spokesperson Steve Mabona, who stated that the department is aware of the challenges and is making every effort to rectify the situation.

“We recognize that we experienced some delays in processing necessary payments to certain institutions, but these matters have now been resolved as payments have been made as required,” Mabona was reported to have stated on Friday, (3 January 2025).