What was meant to be the first day of the 2025 academic year for NMU students was disrupted by student protests. Aggrieved students have cited legislation challenges, delayed allowance payment distributions and accommodation issues as the reasons behind the protest.
To ensure the continuity of learning and teaching, the Gqeberha campuses of the University will move to online learning and teaching platforms where feasible effective on 11 February 2025. Lectures will be recorded.
While the university has pivoted to online learning, the challenges facing protesting students are being dealt with.
NMU Student Representative Council President Lathitha Mbuzwana says the decision to protest came as a last resort. They explain that they requested engagements as the challenges currently facing students occur annually.
We've been sitting in meetings, writing emails, exhausted all channels of communication, always communicating and trying to make our voice heard but unfortunately we find ourselves here because our voice was not really taken seriously.
Mbunzwana says there are students who have not been financially cleared which prevents them from obtaining accommodation and allowances leaving them without any money for food.
That becomes a burden of the SRC and student political parties because if you don't have those necessary basic things in the University then you are left behind.
Mbunzwana called for concessions to be awarded to students which will enable them to register for the 2025 academic year, access accommodation and have money for necessities.
NMU says the majority of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances have been disbursed, with the remainder expected within 72 hours.
To date, just over 14,000 student allowances were paid on Friday, 7 February 2025. The remaining 3200 allowances will be disbursed to students within 72 hours.
The university is processing concession applications and has addressed claims of delayed responses to student inquiries. Financial concessions typically offer a reduction in fees or allow students to register despite outstanding debt to make education more accessible.
Of the 8,200 concession applications received by NMU, 3,000 have been approved, while 1,800 were rejected. Two hundred appeals are currently under review, and the university has committed to provide feedback within 72 hours on the remaining 1,700 applications.
NMU has disputed claims by student leaders claiming that concession applicants have not received feedback on their applications.
In response to the SRC’s claim that the Financial Aid team did not respond to students who applied for concessions on 24-26 January, the University confirms that this is incorrect. All students who applied on those dates received responses, regarding the status of their applications.
The late registration period has been 28 February 2025, and support services have been increased to assist students.
"The University has opened late registration from 10 to 28 February and increased support services to assist affected students and affected students awaiting the outcome of their concession application are encouraged to attend classes until feedback is received," said NMU.
University management acknowledged the accommodation challenges being faced by students but conceded that it is a nationwide issue.
To mitigate the accommodation challenges, NMU is working to secure additional housing options, including housing from private providers. They have committed to communicating immediate solutions within 48 hours and long-term plans by the end of the week. Concerns about shuttle availability are also being addressed.
We understand the frustrations and challenges advanced by our students and are dedicated to resolving these issues promptly. Your patience and cooperation are appreciated as we work together to uphold the integrity of our academic project.
The university emphasised its commitment to open communication with the SRC and condemned instances of harassment, vandalism, and intimidation during protests.
