Student protest over non-payment of bursaries

Update

GEORGE NEWS - A group of students of the Nelson Mandela University George Campus began with a protest yesterday, Tuesday 2 May, which continued through to this morning when the police were called out.

According to a third-year student who wants to remain anonymous, they wanted to engage with management over their dissatisfaction about many students still not having been able to register for the 2023 year, although they are allowed to attend lectures.

A problem with accommodation also arises, as the university pays rental to private student accommodation establishments from the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds received on behalf of the students.

The student said no concrete information is forthcoming as to when their bursaries will be paid out and students are increasingly worried about what is going to happen when they have to write exams and they are still not registered. "And what about receiving our qualifications at the end of the year when money is still outstanding?"

Some students are still squatting with others in campus accommodation units. Some of those who are in private accommodation in town are without electricity as their landlords cut their electricity, according to one student.

George Herald already reported on landlords not having received any rental since the start of the academic year.

According to an internal memo circulated among staff, the campus was blocked on Tuesday as a result of the protest action. The memo said it was an unauthorised protest. "The authorities are enforcing the interdict after the protesting students’ engagement not having been successful. Classes and campus facilities are open for the teaching & learning and support activities to continue, while the police are keeping a close monitoring towards the protesting group of students," reads the memo.

During protest action earlier this year about the same issues, George Herald reported on the university having obtained an interdict during previous protests that prohibits students from blocking the entrance to the campus. The interdict stipulates that any protest action is limited to the rugby field.

An NMU communications officer, Zandile Mbabela, said the George campus management, as well as the dean of students, met with student leadership to understand what led to the protest action.

She confirmed that the issues raised by the protesting students relate to NSFAS funding, and are as follows:

Partial funding (ie, funding for tuition and not accommodation) of students in programmes with less than 60 credits;
Students who did work-integrated learning (WIL) programmes and are still awaiting NSFAS funding;
Students who completed higher certificate studies and are now pursuing diplomas, who are awaiting NSFAS funding confirmation.

"While these issues are outside of the university’s direct control, the institution is in constant liaison with NSFAS with a view to finding solutions. Efforts are also underway to ensure that the academic programme is not adversely affected. Further updates will be shared as and when available," said Mbabela.

In response to a query about allegations that three students were arrested during the protest action, Southern Cape SAPS spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies said, "A case of public violence was opened following an incident at Saasveld on 3 May. Preliminary investigation suggests that public order police responded to the scene after a group barricaded the entrance to the campus at about 06:00 with tree branches and other objects. Police used stun grenades to disperse the group. Those responsible are yet to be arrested."

Previous articles:

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’