What’s behind the protest by Stellenbosch University students?

Student organisations say they plan to stage a three-day protest at Stellenbosch University (SU) from Thursday to Saturday, raising concerns about students they claim are unable to register ahead of the February 27 deadline.

Organisers, including the South African Students Congress (SASCO) Western Cape, indicated that a memorandum is expected to be handed over to the university on Friday.

Alysa-Abby Kekana, chairperson of SASCO Western Cape, said the demonstration follows what student organisations describe as unresolved registration-related issues.

“Registration is set to close on the 27th, and given the amount of outstanding issues, it means that registration will close and students will still not be assisted,” Kekana said.

She alleged that a number of students remain unable to register due to fee blocks, including students who appear on provisional funding lists.

“It is not their own doing that they have fee blocks. These are students who are disadvantaged, that require assistance from the state,” she said.

A petition has also been launched on Change.org by individuals describing themselves as students and recognised student organisations. The petition claims that recent feedback from university management does not adequately resolve what it describes as student financial precarity.

According to the petition, students listed as “provisionally funded” remain subject to registration blocks. It also raises concern about what it describes as changes to the university’s debt threshold policy, which petitioners argue does not sufficiently address accumulated historical debt. The petition further claims that more than 400 students could face exclusion from university residences when registration closes.

Among the demands outlined are the lifting of NSFAS-related registration blocks, a revised approach to historical debt relief, assurances that students will not be excluded from residence while funding matters remain unresolved, and greater transparency from the Student Representative Council (SRC).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, SU said it was aware of the planned demonstrations and confirmed that members of the Rectorate have been engaged in formal discussions with the SRC since late 2025 regarding registration-related challenges, including NSFAS funding blocks and emergency housing for students arriving without accommodation.

“The acting Dean of Students has been engaging almost daily with the SRC Chair and other members of the SRC Executive (since the start of the registration period - middle January 2026),” the university said. It added that engagements had also taken place with representatives of the EFF Student Command and SASCO on fee block-related matters, and that it had responded to letters of demand from the SRC.

SU said that as of Wednesday morning, 33,613 students had successfully registered, including 23,655 undergraduates. The university stated that it had lifted financial blocks for more than 90% of NSFAS students and that the process was ongoing.

Students with outstanding debt below R10,000 are permitted to register upon signing an acknowledgement of debt, SU said.

The university added that it had activated its Student Debt Working Group to consider applications from students who still have financial blocks and had made more than R10 million available to support “academically deserving students” seeking to register.

“At the same time, access to the SUNLearn platform has been opened for students who are not currently registered while they seek funding, and the registration date was extended to 27 February,” SU said.

The university said it remains committed to sound financial management and to working toward systemic and sustainable funding solutions within the higher education sector. It also highlighted ongoing fundraising efforts through its Development and Alumni Relations Division and encouraged students to explore alternative funding options, including institutional financial aid for qualifying households, bank loans and private funding platforms.

“SU supports students’ right to peaceful protest, it must also be understood that they have a responsibility to ensure that protests remain orderly and do not infringe on the rights of others – such as disrupting classes,” the statement read.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus