Wits University
By Lerato Mpembe
Wits University has confirmed that 95% of its student body has successfully registered for the 2025 academic year, despite ongoing protests over financial exclusion. This equates to approximately 37,000 students.
However, concerns remain over students facing financial challenges, particularly those who are unable to settle outstanding debts. The university’s management has stated that it is actively working with students to ensure that all those who qualify to continue their studies are registered.
The university’s statement follows a student-led hunger strike that has been ongoing for four days, as students protest against financial exclusion due to historical debt. Many of the protesting students argue that the current funding mechanisms are insufficient, leaving them unable to continue their studies.
The Scale of the Registration Challenge
According to Wits University, students who have outstanding debt exceeding R10,000 must pay at least 50% of the amount owed before they can register for the new academic year. This requirement has been one of the key points of contention among student protesters, who argue that financially struggling students cannot afford such payments upfront.
The university has, however, reiterated that it is actively assisting qualifying students to access funding opportunities. Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel confirmed that additional financial aid is being allocated to students in need.
“What we have done is we have worked with the SRC, they have raised R2.5 million in the last two weeks and we have matched those funds, so there’s about R5 million which can still be allocated to students in need. The Wits Hardship Fund is at the end of making its allocations and that’s about R100 million, which will assist students to register and to find emergency accommodation,” Patel said.
She added that students benefiting from the hardship fund could receive up to R50,000 each to help cover tuition and housing expenses.
The Ongoing Hunger Strike and Protests
Despite the financial aid being provided, the hunger strike at Wits University continues. Protesters argue that the funding available is not sufficient to support all students in need and that many students remain unable to register due to debt.
Students participating in the hunger strike have called for urgent intervention from both the university and the government to address financial exclusions. The protest has gained widespread attention on social media, with students sharing their struggles under the hashtag #WitsHungerStrike.
The Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) has also been vocal in its criticism of the university’s handling of financial aid distribution. SRC leaders argue that while the university has been able to register the majority of its students, thousands are still left in limbo due to outstanding debts.
Wits Clears R63 Million in Student Debt
In a move to address the financial exclusion crisis, Wits University recently announced that it had cleared R63 million in student debt, benefiting 800 high-performing students.
The initiative ensures that 336 students will graduate without debt, while the remaining beneficiaries will be able to register for the new academic year. This step was welcomed by some student groups, but it has not been enough to quell the ongoing protests.
“The financial exclusion issue is much larger than just clearing a portion of debt,” said an SRC representative. “There are still thousands of students who are struggling, and the current financial assistance programs do not cover everyone who is affected.”
The Broader Higher Education Funding Crisis
The financial challenges faced by Wits students reflect a broader crisis in South Africa’s higher education sector. Many universities across the country are grappling with high levels of student debt, making it difficult for students to continue their studies.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ), for example, has reported record numbers of applications for the 2025 academic year. The institution received over 400,000 applications, further demonstrating the growing demand for higher education in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which funds a large proportion of students in the country, has faced repeated criticism for delays in processing applications and disbursing funds. Many students who depend on NSFAS funding have been unable to register on time due to administrative backlogs.
Calls for Government Intervention
With student protests escalating at Wits, there have been renewed calls for the government to intervene in the crisis. Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has previously acknowledged the difficulties faced by students but has yet to make a formal statement regarding the latest protests at Wits.
In previous years, the government has introduced emergency financial relief measures to assist students who are unable to pay their fees. However, these interventions have not provided long-term solutions to the issue of student debt.
Student leaders have demanded urgent meetings with both university management and government officials to discuss additional funding solutions. Some of the proposals put forward by student organisations include:• Increasing government subsidies for universities to reduce student fees.
• Expanding the NSFAS program to cover more students and expedite funding disbursements.
• Establishing a long-term debt relief fund for students who are financially excluded.
• Providing alternative financial assistance options such as student-friendly loan schemes.
Impact of Protests on Campus Operations
The ongoing protests at Wits have caused some disruptions on campus, with a number of lectures and administrative operations affected. While the university has stated that it is committed to ensuring that academic activities continue as planned, some departments have reported delays in processing student registrations.
Security on campus has also been heightened to prevent any incidents of violence during the protests. University officials have urged students to engage in peaceful demonstrations while discussions between management and student leaders continue.
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