All students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) at Stellenbosch University (SU) who live in catered residences will now be able to claim one free meal per day on weekdays. This option has been introduced to help NSFAS students who run out of meal quota during the second semester and cannot afford food.
This is according to SU student representative council chairperson Phiwokuhle Qabaka.
“Food prices are going up and the Neelsie is extremely expensive,” said Abia Marais, a third-year student who is funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). A free meal option was recently introduced for students funded by NSFAS that will allow them to have free lunch at catered residences on weekdays starting from the second semester, according to Prof Stan du Plessis. PHOTO: Alison Hermanus
The meal option can be claimed via the Facilities Management System (FMS) meal booking system and has been introduced for the first time at SU as of 22 July, according to Prof Stan du Plessis, SU chief operating officer.
The free meal option was made possible due to financial contributions from anonymous donors, according to Qabaka.
Thanks to anonymous donations made by SU alumni, students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme are now able to make use of a new free meal option for the first time, said Phiwokuhle Qabaka, SU student representative council chairperson. PHOTO: Alison Hermanus
Why NSFAS-funded students needed this option
NSFAS students can claim the free lunch option whether or not they have money in their meal accounts, said Du Plessis in a letter sent to NSFAS students on 19 July informing them of the new meal option.
The new meal option is an interim solution to the issue of students running out of meal quota halfway through the year, and there is no confirmation on whether or not this initiative will continue into the 2025 academic year, said Qabaka.
The SU student representative council (SRC) has previously discussed ways to help NSFAS students as the SRC receives many messages from students asking for help with food after running out of meal quota, according to Qabaka.
“I am grateful for the opportunity and the consideration of the [university] regarding the NSFAS quota,” said Abia Marais, a third-year student who is funded by NSFAS.
The meal option came at a perfect time for Marais, who said that “food prices are going up and the Neelsie is extremely expensive.”
The free meal option is currently only available for students living in catered residences, and is not available for students who make use of private accommodation or private residences.
The Tinnie Louw dining hall is a space where students in the Stellenbosch University (SU) AmaMaties cluster are able to eat meals booked on the SU meal booking system. Students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme are now able to make use of a new free meal option using this booking system, according to Prof Stan du Plessis. PHOTO: Alison Hermanus