Minister, I'm a bit reluctant to ask this question because you've just said that you are aware of all the problems that are there.
Kodwa-ke bengicela ukubuza ukuthi njengoba uNgqongqoshe esesinikezile izinombolo zalabo abasizwe yile mali. Unazo yini uNgqongqoshe izinombolo zalabo abehlulekile ukusizwa yile mali abafakile izicelo abakhona kuzo lezi zikhungo. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[I would like to know from the Minister, since she has given us the number of students who were assisted by this money, whether he knows how many students who applied but were not assisted are currently at these institutions.]
I'm talking here about those students whose applications have not been accepted, in spite of passing the means test of R120 000. Does the Minister know the number of such students? If he does, what sort of intervention or help can he give to such students? In fact, I've got a number of such students.
UNGQONGQOSHE WEMFUNDO EPHAKEME NOKUQEQESHA: Baba Mpontshane, bengingacelwanga ngingakezi la lezi nombolo, kodwa-ke sinazo lezi zinombolo emgodleni, zikhona emgodleni. [Uhleko.] Uma ungaphinde uke uwubuze lobuzo siyobuya nje sesikubuyela nempendulo yonke yakho ukuthi wobani abafundi futhi bangakanani ababecele ukusizwa kodwa abangathathwa. Kodwa bengingazi ukuthi uzongibuza lombuzo sewungilalele endleleni impela nje usuwenza njengephoyisa lomgwaqo elingilalela endleni. [Uhleko.] Uma uphinda uwubuza nje siyokubuyela nempendulo, ungahlupheki baba. Ngiyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Hon Mpontshane, I was not asked to have those statistics at hand, but we do have them in our data base. [Laughter.] If you can ask that question again, we will come back with the answers to all your questions as to how many students applied for assistance but whose applications were not accepted. Unfortunately, I did not anticipate that you were going to ask me this question; you have caught me off guard. [Laughter.] Do not worry, if you ask it again we will give you the answer. Thank you.]