Students at Walter Sisulu University have taken to the streets demanding urgent action over delays in the allocation of student funding and disparities between funding for new and returning students. Protesters say ongoing problems with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) payments have left many students unable to cover tuition, accommodation and living costs, fuelling frustration on campus and in the surrounding area.
Students are particularly aggrieved that returning students appear to be receiving prioritised funding while new students — often in equally vulnerable financial positions — wait for confirmation or allocation, creating uncertainty ahead of the academic calendar. Protest organisers have threatened to escalate their action by taking demonstrations onto the N2 highway near Mthatha if their demands are not addressed by university management and funding authorities.
Previous protests at the institution have sometimes disrupted traffic on the N2, as students moved beyond campus grounds to pressure officials and draw wider attention to their grievances The situation highlights broader concerns about NSFAS funding delays and administrative issues affecting students across South Africa, where delayed allowances and defunding have repeatedly sparked demonstrations in recent years. Authorities and university leaders have been urged to engage urgently with students to prevent escalation, protect safety and ensure that eligible students receive the funding and support needed to continue their studies.
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