By Celani Sikhakhane
Several female students in KwaZulu-Natal say they have been forced to become prostitutes because they have not been paid their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances.
Most of these students are from poor rural areas in KZN and are studying at the Durban University of Technology.
On Wednesday, Scrolla.Africa spent some time with students who said they had decided to sell their bodies for money out of hunger and desperation.
One of them, who was with her friends near the hotels on North Beach, revealed that she charges R200 an hour or R800 for a night.
“I am from uMsinga, but I am staying at the student residence in South Beach. I have been waiting for my NSFAS since early January, but I have not received anything. That is why I decided to go on the streets to be a prostitute with the hope that I would be able to have some money to buy groceries.
“At home, it’s very difficult because my mom is not working,” she said.
The female students walk around near the smart hotels that mostly host political and government meetings, hoping to be picked up by rich men.
The South African Student Congress leadership has voiced its shock at the desperation that has led these girls to be prostitutes.
Landy Ndlovu, a member of the national working committee of the South African Students Congress Sasco, said the organisation didn’t know some students had decided to become prostitutes because they had not yet received their NSFAS allowances.
“I am hearing this for the first time, and I’m wondering how long they’ve been doing this. I’m asking this question because soon after the NSFAS Board was dissolved, the funds were then deposited to students in March,” said Ndlovu.
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande last week revealed that some students didn’t receive their funds because they failed to submit their details on time.
Pictured above: NSFAS flag.
Image source: X
