Many students are currently registered to further their studies at public universities across South Africa for the 2024 academic year. However, it has not been smooth sailing for these students as they will first need to activate the uncertain student accommodation landscape in the country.
Some students live extremely far away from the institutions they have registered at. This can be attributed to several factors including if the institution accepted them, courses offered and space availability.
Many of these students will require accommodation close to their campuses while they pursue their studies. However, the availability of accommodation remains a challenge around South Africa.
Students at the Central University of Technology (CUT) are grappling with frustration over registration processes, exacerbated by accommodation issues. Despite being funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), some students find themselves unable to register, with accommodation concerns cited as a contributing factor.
Long queues persist on campus, with accommodation challenges adding to the delays. In extreme cases, students are forced to sleep outside campus due to accommodation shortages.
University of Witwatersrand (WITS) management has allocated a portion of beds to assist students without accommodation, yet the demand still outweighs the supply. First-year students, in particular, face difficulties in securing suitable accommodation options, leading to added stress during the registration period.
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) is experiencing a surge in demand for accommodation, far exceeding the available space. Accommodation challenges have compounded the already slow registration process, further frustrating students trying to enrol for the academic year.
With no additional accommodation spaces available, North West University (NWU) is struggling to meet the housing needs of its student population. Even registered students are facing difficulties in finding suitable accommodation options, adding strain to their academic journey.
Both the University of Limpopo and the University of Venda are grappling with limited spaces for first-year students, leading to heightened competition for available accommodation. Accommodation issues have become a significant barrier to successful registration for many students at these institutions.
Accommodation shortages have forced students at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and Durban University of Technology (DUT) to sleep outside campus premises, highlighting the severity of the housing crisis. Furthermore, students are unable to access accommodation until they secure funding from NSFAS, exacerbating the situation.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is facing a massive demand for accommodation, far surpassing its available housing options. Concerns have been raised regarding the prioritisation of accommodation allocation, with questions arising about fairness in the selection process.
Students at the University of Pretoria (UP) are struggling to secure accommodation, compounding their challenges in completing the registration process. The insufficient availability of accommodation has resulted in registration delays, impacting students' academic pursuits.
NSFAS Efforts
NSFAS launched the student accommodation pilot programme earlier this year which is aimed at ensuring that student accommodation service providers deliver accommodation that is accessible, decent, safe, and academically conducive for all students.
Addressing accommodation challenges requires collaborative efforts from university management, government entities, and stakeholders to ensure that every student has access to suitable housing options.
