By Anita Dangazele
- Thousands of NMU students can’t start classes because they’re still waiting for NSFAS funding approval.
- Many students are now stranded in Gqeberha without food, accommodation or money to return home.
Angry students have shut down Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, saying classes won’t start until everyone can register.
The protest began on Monday, which was meant to be the first day of classes. Student leaders blocked all entrances to the university and told students who were already in class to leave.
Many students who thought they had secured places were shocked to find they were still on waiting lists or couldn’t register. Those who were provisionally accepted by NMU have been turned away.
The crisis has left many students stranded in Gqeberha without food, a place to stay, or even money to travel back home.
The students want the university to allow all admitted students to register before classes start. They say at least 90% of students must be registered first. They’re also asking for more flexible rules about who can register with debt.
Other demands include the immediate payment of book money, accommodation for students without funding, access to university transport for all students, and at least one meal a day for unfunded students.
University spokesperson Zandile Mbabela said they know about the protests. “Management is aware of the student protests and is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to address the situation. University operations, including academic and administrative activities, will continue as planned,” she said.
But students tell a different story.
“Those of us who were able to enter campus before the protest started were able to attend the first day of lectures. The SRC then came out of nowhere and told us to leave and only come back once all the students have registered,” a first-year BCom Accounting student told Scrolla.Africa.
Mbabela said students should have checked if their studies, housing, and funding were approved before coming to NMU.
Pictured above: Nelson Mandela University students have embarked on a protest.
Source: Anita Dangazele
