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By Thapelo Molefe
The Students Representative Council at the University of Cape Town has welcomed the University Council’s decision to grant concessions to some students facing financial exclusion, but argued that the resolution falls short of addressing the full scope of the crisis.
“While the University Council has made some concessions, thousands of students remain at risk of exclusion due to outstanding fees. This is not enough — we need a long-term, sustainable solution to ensure that no student is left behind,” the SRC said in a statement.
The SRC stated this on Friday in response to the council’s resolution on financial exclusion, acknowledging progress but insisting that more action was needed to protect vulnerable students.
The issue of financial exclusion at UCT has been a long-standing challenge, with students facing fee blocks that prevent them from registering for the academic year. Many students, despite being academically eligible, have been unable to continue their studies due to outstanding debt.
This week over 2000 UCT students marched to Parliament to submit a Memorandum of Demands to the South African government.
The protest was in response to the broader systemic issues of student funding and accommodation shortages, which the SRC argues are not just UCT’s responsibility but failures of national economic policies.
As part of its resolution, the council has introduced financial relief measures aimed at assisting specific groups of students facing financial exclusion.
Academically eligible but financially vulnerable students, including 235 individuals with outstanding 2024 debt totalling R26 million, will receive financial aid, with final-year students being prioritised.
Additionally, 458 students who have made partial payments, with a collective debt of R18 million, will also benefit, particularly those who have paid at least 40% of their fees or owe less than R50,000.
The resolution further provides relief to students with historic debt and bursaries, allowing 76 full bursary students (owing R6 million) and 38 partial bursary students (owing R2.8 million) to register under specific conditions.
Moreover, students who have secured funding for 2025 through approved loans or verifiable bursaries will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility for further assistance.
Despite these concessions, the SRC remains firm that financial exclusion must be completely eradicated. It argues that many students still face uncertainty and the systemic issue of affordability in higher education needs permanent solutions rather than temporary relief measures.
Earlier on speaking to Inside Education, the SRC confirmed that protest action had paused but remained unresolved.
“The protest action has stopped for now. There are still students sleeping in our offices who have not yet received accommodation, so the fight is not really over. Around 100 students are sleeping at the SRC offices.”
The SRC also criticised management’s approach, stating that financially struggling students were being pressured to leave campus.
“They were forcing students who have fee blocks to go home, but they really can’t do that. From our side as the SRC, we encouraged all academically eligible students to not go home.”
UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela acknowledged the student protests but emphasised that the university could not afford blanket fee concessions.
“We have, on several occasions, cautioned the SRC against disruptive protests. While we understand student concerns, disruptions to university operations, including road blockages and lecture interruptions, cannot be tolerated,” he said.
Moshabela also pointed out that past blanket concessions have contributed to a culture of non-payment, with 239 graduates from the 2021 concessions still owing the university R30 million. UCT’s total student debt now stands at R864 million.
“Management will continue to engage with the SRC to find common ground upon which a proposal can be finalised for presentation to council,” he said.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress Study Group on Higher Education and Training in Parliament has voiced its support for students, calling for immediate action to prevent financial exclusion.
“It is unacceptable that any student should be denied access to education due to financial constraints. The university must prioritise student needs and implement solutions that address financial barriers without delay.”
Universities South Africa (USAf), however, urged students to direct their grievances toward the government rather than universities.
“While the students’ grievances are legitimate, these issues are being presented to the wrong role players. Universities are not the primary source of student funding,” USAf stated.
As tensions remain high, the SRC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for permanent solutions to financial exclusion, emphasising that their fight for free and accessible education is far from over.
“We will continue engaging with stakeholders, mobilising support and ensuring that no student is left behind. The doors of learning must be open to all,” the SRC concluded.
INSIDE EDUCATION