"They'd Never": SA Questions Whether NSFAS is Funding Electric Scooters after Claims in TikTok Video

• A TikTok video posted on 29 July 2026 showed students on a university campus surrounded by electric scooters allegedly provided through NSFAS
• The clip, shared by @mtho6double0, was filmed at night on what appeared to be a campus walkway lined with glowing scooters
• South African students flooded the comments with disbelief, humour and envy over the unexpected NSFAS benefit
• Briefly News gained some insights on three students from North West University about the scooters

A South African university student set social media ablaze after posting a video that appeared to show NSFAS-funded electric scooters parked across a campus walkway at night. TikToker @mtho6double0 shared the clip on 29 July 2026. The footage, shot in a casual vlog style, showed a group of students gathered near a covered walkway. Rows of electric scooters with green underglow lights lined the path behind them.

NSFAS, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, funds tuition, accommodation and living allowances for qualifying students at South African universities and TVET colleges. The idea by @mtho6double0 that it could now be extending benefits to include personal transport in the form of electric scooters caught many off guard. Not everyone was convinced the scheme was behind the scooters, with several commenters expressing scepticism in the most South African way possible.

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Briefly News journalist Jessica Gcaba gained some insights from two NWU students who also had the joy of riding the scooters at their Potchefstroom campus.

“The scooters in Potch are beneficial, especially for students who use them to go to campus or school. They assist in getting to school mostly on time," Tshiamo said.

Another student, Amahle, added that they were not given to them by NSFAS, saying they cost R2.50 to ride per minute.

Although beneficial, the BASocS student said, "they create a lot of traffic in the streets. They also lead to havoc, especially because the owners do not offer training services before students can use them.”

Also giving the scooters initiative a thumbs up, Nathi Vanto said they are very convenient compared to e-hailing services.

"Gonow scooters are a useful addition to NWU students because they give us a quick and convenient way to travel between res, school, and town. As a student who lives a bit far from campus, they are very useful, especially on days when I wake up late; I can use a scooter to get to class much faster than walking."

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Watch the video that sparked the debate:

Mzansi discusses alleged NSFAS scooters

South African students in the comments section had plenty to say:

@snaz 🦋 wrote:

"UFS could never"

@'kazi 🌹 warned:

"I hope uzoyimela the rumour you're starting 😂"

@TshepisoM👑 said:

"I thought it was Big Zulu talking ❤️"

@regina1 declared:

"Hai wena. NSFAS would never 😭"

@Just Grey claimed:

"I also got mine. I collected yesterday. NSFAS did something 🥰"

@Siphokazi Mkhwanazi added:

"I'm waiting for them to give out hoverboards 😔"

Other Briefly News stories about NSFAS

• The alarming revelations surrounding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), where over 800 deceased students continue to receive bursaries, were uncovered by the Auditor General.
• A TikTok video showcased the joyous reaction of university students in Sol Plaatje as they received their NSFAS allowances for the month.
• A group of university students from Johannesburg who prioritised feeding the homeless over their own needs by using their NSFAS allowances to prepare warm meals and organise clothing donations.

Source: Briefly News