FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, 23 August 2026
NSF Commitment to Affected Learners
The National Skills Fund (NSF) wishes to clarify its position regarding the NSF-funded aviation training programme implemented in partnership with Flyfofa Aviation Training (Pty) Ltd. The NSF is acutely aware of the anxiety and uncertainty experienced by affected learners and their parents following the disruption of the programme and recent developments concerning learner accommodation.
The NSF wishes to assure all affected learners and their families that it remains committed to supporting the successful completion of the learners’ aviation training and qualifications. At the same time, the NSF has a legal and fiduciary responsibility to ensure that public funds are managed responsibly, transparently and in accordance with applicable legislation, financial regulations and the terms of the funding agreement.
Background to the Programme
In 2024, funding was approved for an aviation training programme intended to benefit 390 learners over a 31-month period. The programme was designed to provide training across various aviation disciplines, including Private Pilot Licence training, advanced hour building, drone piloting and cabin crew training.
Since implementation commenced in early 2025, the NSF has undertaken ongoing monitoring and verification of the programme, as required for all projects funded from public resources. During this process, a number of material concerns and discrepancies were identified relating to project implementation, accreditation and aviation approval, reporting, expenditure and the verification of certain training milestones.
The NSF subsequently engaged Flyfofa on several occasions and requested explanations, supporting documentation and evidence to address these concerns. These matters require careful assessment and due diligence, particularly where they relate to the expenditure of public funds and whether payments can be supported by verified deliverables.
With the ongoing contractual, financial and compliance processes, the NSF can confirm that concerns regarding the verification of training progress, supporting documentation for expenditure and compliance with the conditions of the funding agreement have materially affected the continued implementation of the project.
Training Disruption and NSF Position
The NSF wishes to clarify that the disruption of training did not result from a decision by the NSF to abandon learners or cancel their future training opportunities. Flyfofa halted training during August 2026 amid unresolved contractual and funding matters, including requests that require further consideration through the appropriate governance processes.
“The NSF cannot approve additional financial commitments or variations outside established procedures simply to expedite a decision. Any such request must be properly assessed and subjected to the necessary governance and approval processes and the NSFhas undertaken this with urgency to ensure student protection,” said the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Skills Fund, Ms Melissa Erra.
The NSF deeply regrets the distress and uncertainty caused to learners and their parents, particularly regarding accommodation and the continuation of their studies. In an effort to address the immediate risk of eviction from accommodation provided through a third party appointed by Flyfofa, the NSF intervened and engaged relevant parties to prevent the immediate eviction of learners for the month of August 2026 while internal processes relating to outstanding training matters are being addressed by Flyfofa.
Temporary Return Home for Learners
Following the continued suspension of training by Flyfofa, the NSF has, however, had to take the necessary decision that while the remedial and governance processes are undertaken, noting that industry requirements for aviation are in place so that training can be done safely by students to build hours for flight training. The NSF has brought on an Aviation expert to assess the programme progress to date and conduciveness for continuation of pilot training. The current enrolled learners are required to return home temporarily while the outstanding matters affecting the continuation of the programme are being resolved.
Continued expenditure of public funds on activities not linked to active and verifiable training would raise serious financial and governance concerns. The NSF has a responsibility to prevent unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
The decision to direct learners to vacate the accommodation by or before end of August 2026 is therefore intended to preserve available funding for the learners’ actual training and eventual completion of the programme. Students have received their stipends up until end of July 2026.
“Returning home temporarily does not mean that the NSF is withdrawing its commitment to their training. On the contrary, our priority remains to find a lawful, sustainable and financially responsible way of ensuring that learners are able to complete the training for which funding was originally approved in a manner that is compliant to the aviation sector standards for their safety and licences,” said Ms Erra.
Way Forward
The NSF is continuing with the necessary processes to resolve the matters affecting the programme with Flyfofa within the next 30 days. This includes consideration of outstanding contractual and compliance issues, verification of information and continued engagement with relevant stakeholders to determine the most appropriate way forward. The outcomes and state of readiness to resume the training will be communicated to all stakeholders and learners once approved by the Accounting Authority.
Any future decisions will be guided by the need to protect the interests and future of learners while ensuring full compliance with the NSF’s governance and financial management obligations.
Ends
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