SA students in Russia stranded with government funding woes

Over 220 South African students, furthering their education in Russia, face expulsion and eviction from residences after a funding debacle back home. The students are supposed to be fully funded by the Mpumalanga Education Department with costs covered for living expenses, tuition and accommodation. But the contract for the implementing agent the department was working with has lapsed leaving the students stranded. The department has vowed to make all outstanding payments to tertiary institutions in Russia by 14 October. BizNews correspondent Michael Appel spoke to Sizwe Mkhatshwa - a fifth year medical student - who faces not only eviction from his residence but also automatically being failed on several modules should payment not be forthcoming. The department said in a statement that: "Everything humanly possible is being done by the Department to ensure that the academic and plight of students is not compromised." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices