There will be money to pay for the zero fee increases in 2016, President Jacob Zuma told Parliament on Thursday. He still, however, gave no indication of where exactly the money would come from.

Speaking during his last question and answer session for the year in the National Assembly on Thursday, Zuma said the money would be there by the time universities opened in 2016.

He was responding to a question from National Freedom Party MP Nhlanhla Khubisa, who wanted to know if money would be available.

“When students open, will they get funding? Noting the fact that there is always a problem with the National Student Financial Aid scheme at the beginning of the year, not giving students enough to pay for their studies on time,” Khubisa said.

Zuma said there would not be a problem with funding as the minister had addressed the issue of zero increases already.

“That money will be there early next year. I cannot give the details now, but that matter is being worked on by the department.” News24