- Dozens
of CPUT students are protesting over pending accommodation applications,
with many having applied months ago but still lacking placements. - The
university has a bed capacity of 16,200 and received thousands of
applications, leaving many students without housing options. - Despite
efforts to assist, CPUT officials have confirmed that accommodation is
fully booked, and only students with confirmed residence applications are
being processed.
“We are left stranded and desperate for answers”. These were the sentiments of dozens of students from Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) District Six campus, who face an accommodation crisis.
The students, many of whom claim they have been accepted for study at the institution, said they had applied for student accommodation before the closing date last year, yet their application status was still pending.
On Monday 10 February students clashed with police during a protest at the institution.
People’s Post visited the facility on Tuesday 11 February and was met by many students sitting on the campus grounds with their luggage, some having travelled as far as the Eastern Cape, as had one student, who introduced herself only as Tania.
She said: “This is the first year I am accepted to study at the institution. I wasn’t accepted for two years. There are students who didn’t apply for accommodation who are being assisted. And here we are, sitting outside, without any accommodation. I’m here because I want to study. We cannot afford private accommodation.”
Another student, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: “I have been here for a few hours, while others have been here for weeks. They came and told us there was no space available at residences, that they are fully booked. I don’t know where to go now!
“The status of my application for accommodation has been pending since last year. I am also first-year. We need accommodation; we cannot be expected to sleep on the floor because it’s painful for the body.”
One first-year student, known only as Engelbert, said he had arrived from Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
“Most of the students got bursaries and applied for NSFAS [National Student Financial Aid Scheme]. The fees for private accommodation are too expensive. I don’t have place in residence so I will have to find private accommodation. We have to the pay deposit from our pockets we don’t have that kind of money.”
He said his hopes and dreams as a first-year students are dashed.
“They must make space for us. I only applied to an institution I thought everything will flow fluently. Orientation was supposed to start yesterday. I don’t know what I will do.”
Elvis Mhlangu said he brought his daughter from Mpumalanga.
“We understand that the accommodation application is pending. Some students didn’t even apply. But they will be assisted. We don’t know what do to. Our next option would be to go back. We can’t leave the child alone. Private accommodation is fully booked.”
Lauren Kansley, spokesperson for the campus, said the institution has 16 200 bed capacity across all its campuses, which she said was filled.
She said CPUT had received more than 500 000 applications to study, but the institution had space for only 38 840.
“We try our best to assist students. We try to place first-year students first. We are working with private landlords. Last night we moved 32 students to private landlords. We have now put up notices across all campuses to inform students that accommodation is filled.”
She said only students who have applied for residence are being processed.
“No walk-ins are being considered. This is a standard process for the university and is why we encourage applicants not to arrive on campus with no confirmation of residence.”
